What To Do If You Hit a Dog With Your Car (And How Insurance Works)

Hitting a dog with your car can be an extremely upsetting experience. As a dog owner myself, I know I would be devastated if my furry friend was injured or worse. However accidents do happen and it’s important to know how to respond if you find yourself in this situation.

In this article, I’ll walk through exactly what to do step-by-step if you hit a dog with your car. I’ll also explain how car insurance works in these cases – both if you hit someone else’s dog or if your own dog is hit.

Overview: Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Dog?

The short answer is: it depends. Let’s break it down:

• Liability coverage – Covers damage/injury you cause to others, Usually won’t cover vet bills if you hit someone’s dog

• Comprehensive – Covers damage to your car from non-collision incidents like animals. Helps if you hit a dog and damage your car.

• Collision – Covers damage to your car from colliding with another car/object. Doesn’t cover hitting animals.

• Pet insurance – Best option for covering your pet’s injuries if hit. Required separate policy.

So in most cases, you’ll need separate pet insurance to cover veterinary bills. The at-fault driver’s liability coverage likely won’t pay for injuries to your dog if hit. Let’s look at this in more detail…

What To Do If You Hit a Dog With Your Car

If you accidentally hit a dog, here are the steps to take:

• Pull over and check on the dog. Get your car off the road and assess the animal’s condition. See if you can move it to safety.

• Call for help. Contact animal control and police to get assistance.

• Contact the owner. Use collar tags to find the owner’s info and call them right away.

• Document damage. Take photos of any damage to your car for insurance claims later.

• Wait for help. Remain on scene until animal control, police or the owner arrive.

• File a report. File an official accident report with the police.

• Report to insurance. Contact your insurance about damage to your car. Consider paying for minor damage yourself.

I know this is a lot to think about in the heat of the moment. But remaining at the scene, getting help for the injured animal, and contacting the owner are critical. The steps above can help the dog get vet care quickly.

Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Dog?

Now let’s look at how insurance works in these accidents.

Liability Insurance

If you hit and injure someone else’s dog, your liability coverage would pay for damage you caused to another person’s property – like their car. But it likely won’t cover vet bills for their dog. Insurance sees pets as property, so the owner would need their own coverage.

Comprehensive & Collision Insurance

Comprehensive coverage would help pay for damage to your own car if you hit a dog. Collision only covers hitting vehicles/objects, not animals.

So comprehensive would assist with repairs if you hit a dog, but neither would cover vet bills for someone else’s pet you hit.

Pet Insurance

To cover your own pet’s injuries if hit, pet insurance is your best bet. It pays vet costs for accidents and illnesses. You’d need a separate policy just for your pet.

What If Your Dog Is Hit?

If your dog is hit by a car, here’s what to expect:

• The other driver’s liability coverage likely won’t pay your vet bills unless they were clearly at fault. Their insurance would only cover damage to the car itself.

• You may need to prove negligence and file a lawsuit against the driver to recoup vet expenses.

• Pet insurance is the most reliable way to cover your dog’s medical costs if hit. Don’t depend on the other driver’s auto insurance.

No one wants to think about their furry friend getting injured. But pet insurance can give you peace of mind if the unthinkable occurs. If your dog does get hit, act quickly to get medical attention.

How To Prevent Accidents

To help avoid accidents, follow these tips:

• Keep your dog leashed when outside

• Make sure your yard’s fencing is secure

• Put your contact info on your dog’s collar

• Consider a microchip as a backup ID

• Drive carefully and watch for animals

Accidents can happen in a split second. Following these tips above can help reduce the chances and keep your dog out of harm’s way.

The Takeaway

Hitting a dog with your vehicle can be a traumatic event. Now you know exactly step-by-step what to do if it occurs: pull over, call for help, contact the owner, document damage, file a report, and notify insurance.

For vet bill coverage, pet insurance is your best option – auto insurance likely won’t cover the dog’s injuries. Take preventative measures to improve safety, and drive defensively around residential areas where pets could dart into the road. While scary to think about, being prepared helps ensure the best outcome for all involved.