Pet Injury Auto Insurance Coverage (2026)

If you have a pet that travels in the car with you, you may be curious about what would happen if you were ever in a car accident. Would auto insurance cover any necessary vet bills if your pet were to get injured? Is there specific pet injury coverage you should carry in an auto insurance policy?

Because every auto insurance company handles things differently, you will need to check your policy to see whether your pet is covered in the event of a car accident.

What happens if my pet is injured in a car accident?

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), around 70% of American families, or around 90.5 million families in the U.S., own at least one pet. Because many people travel with their pets in the car, pet safety in the event of a car accident is a significant concern for a lot of people.

There are some auto insurance companies that will help to pay for collision-related medical expenses, but there are plenty of insurance companies that do not include this type of coverage.

When it comes to pet injury coverage within an auto insurance policy, the basics tend to include:

• Reimbursement up to coverage limits for vet bills or burial expenses as a result of a car accident
• Coverage for the cost of a new pet
• Reimbursement up to coverage limits for damaged pet restraint or pet carrier equipment that was damaged as a result of a car accident

The coverage listed above is typically included in a collision insurance policy. If you only have liability, or if you have liability and comprehensive coverage without collision, your pet’s injuries may not be covered by your insurance policy.

Some insurance companies will not require you to meet your collision deductible before they pay for your pet’s injuries, but you will need to read through your policy to be sure.

If your auto insurance company does not include pet injury coverage within its collision coverage, you may have the option of purchasing an add-on to cover your pet.

Most auto insurance companies will limit pet injury coverage to dogs and cats. If you have another kind of pet in your car during an accident and that pet is injured, you may have to pay for any vet bills or burial costs out of your own pocket.

What if my auto insurance doesn’t offer pet injury coverage?

If your auto insurance provider does not offer pet injury coverage, you can look into purchasing pet insurance that would cover your pet in a car accident. For pet parents who make a lot of trips to the vet — even for simple wellness routines — pet insurance may be a wise investment.

You can also shop around to find auto insurance that would cover your pet if you’re ever in an accident. It may be possible to find a collision policy that includes pet injury coverage with cheap auto insurance rates compared to what you currently pay.

Be sure to use our free quote tool below to find and compare collision auto insurance rates from top companies in your area today.