Auto Insurance And Animal Encounters: What's Covered?

Animal-related damage to your car can be covered by your auto insurance, but only if you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive insurance is optional in most states and covers damage to your car not caused by a collision, including theft, vandalism, fires, and damage from pests and animals. This includes collisions with animals, such as deer, that leave your car dented or scratched, as well as any internal damage if something got into your vehicle or chewed through the wiring. However, any damage to your personal property inside your car caused by animals or wildlife would not be covered under your auto policy.

Comprehensive insurance covers animal damage

Animal-related damage can refer to any harm caused to your vehicle as a result of pests, animals, or wildlife. This includes collisions with animals that leave your car scratched or dented, as well as any internal damage if something gets into your car or chews through the wiring.

Comprehensive coverage will also cover damage to your vehicle's glass, and in some states, such as Massachusetts, glass repairs are covered with no deductible. If you have comprehensive coverage on your policy, any claims made due to animal damage will be covered. However, if your vehicle hits another driver while swerving to avoid an animal, this would be covered by optional collision coverage.

While comprehensive insurance covers damage to the exterior and interior of your vehicle by animals, it does not cover every situation. Notably, any damage caused to your personal property inside your car by animals or wildlife would not be covered under your auto policy. Instead, personal property coverage is typically included in homeowners, renters, or condo insurance policies, but these usually do not offer protection for damage caused by animals or pests as it is often considered preventable.

Collision insurance doesn't cover animal damage

Animal damage to your car can be covered by insurance, but this depends on the type of insurance you have. Collision insurance does not cover animal damage. This type of insurance covers damage to your car when you collide with another vehicle or object, such as a lamppost or curb, or if you hit ice and slide into an inanimate object. It also covers damage caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.

Comprehensive insurance, on the other hand, covers damage to your car not caused by a collision. This includes animal damage, such as dents caused by squirrels, as well as theft, vandalism, fire, and weather damage. It also covers damage caused by your own pet. Comprehensive insurance is typically mandatory for leased or loaned cars and is usually required by lenders and leasing companies. It can be added to your auto policy for an additional premium.

In addition to comprehensive insurance, medical payments coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage can cover medical bills resulting from animal-related accidents. If you swerve to avoid hitting an animal and collide with another vehicle or object, collision coverage can cover the damage to your vehicle.

Animal damage to personal property inside your car is not covered

Animal damage to personal property inside your car is typically not covered by auto insurance. While comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car not caused by a collision, including damage caused by animals, it does not account for every situation.

Personal property coverage is typically included through homeowners, renters, or condo insurance policies, but these usually do not offer protection for damage caused by animals or pests as it is largely considered preventable. Therefore, if an animal damages personal property inside your vehicle, your auto insurance policy will not cover the cost of repairs or replacements.

It is important to note that comprehensive insurance is an optional coverage that can be added to your existing auto policy. It covers damage to your car resulting from accidents other than collisions, such as theft, vandalism, fires, fallen trees, and flooding. While it does provide coverage for damage caused by animals to the exterior and interior of your vehicle, it does not include personal property inside your car.

To protect your personal property inside your vehicle from animal damage, consider obtaining personal property coverage through a homeowners, renters, or condo insurance policy. These policies can provide financial protection in the event of damage or loss to your belongings, including those inside your car.

Additionally, taking proactive measures to prevent animal damage to your personal property is crucial. Avoid leaving food or items that may attract animals inside your car. Also, consider using animal repellent or deterrents specifically designed for vehicles to create an unpleasant scent or taste that discourages animals from entering your car.

Vet bills from an accident with a domestic animal are not covered

If you are found liable for driving in a way that hurt a domestic animal, your liability coverage may pay for vet bills. However, you will only be responsible for the vet bills if you intentionally hurt the animal or were driving recklessly. In most cases, you would only have responsibility if you intentionally hurt a pet. Owners will be responsible for the damage to your car, as well as taking care of their pet, because they are responsible for keeping their pets contained.

If you are the owner of a domestic animal that has been hit by a car, you may have very little recourse towards the driver unless they hit your pet intentionally or they were driving recklessly. If your pet was running loose, you may be considered negligent, and any vet bills or end-of-life costs for your pet will fall to you. In addition, your homeowner's insurance may pay to repair the vehicle that hit your pet.

If you are the driver and the owner of a domestic animal that has been hit by another vehicle, you may be able to claim vet bills from your own insurance company under your collision coverage. This is because pets are considered property, and you are eligible for compensation if they are harmed. However, coverage amounts may have a set limit, such as $1,000.

Comprehensive insurance covers damage from rodents

If you have comprehensive insurance, damage to your car caused by rodents is typically covered. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car not caused by a collision, including animal damage. This includes rodents chewing through electrical wiring, as well as damage caused by nesting.

Comprehensive insurance is optional in most states but is usually required by lenders and leasing companies. It can be added to your auto policy for an additional premium. If you lease or loan your car, comprehensive coverage is usually mandatory.

Comprehensive coverage will usually help pay for the repair cost of rodent damage (minus any deductible). However, not every insurance policy includes this coverage, so it's important to check with your insurance company. The cost of repairs can be in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars, so having comprehensive coverage can provide valuable peace of mind.

When filing a claim for rodent damage, you'll typically need to provide photos of the damage, as well as details about where your car is garaged and when the damage occurred. It's also a good idea to have your policy number and declarations page on hand.

To protect your car from rodent damage, you can take preventive measures such as parking indoors, eliminating food sources, using deterrents and repellents, and driving your car regularly.

Frequently asked questions