We were rear-ended at a slow speed, and unfortunately, our dog flew out of an open window (thankfully, he’s okay!). Initially, we feared he had been struck by another vehicle, but given his relatively minor injuries, we now believe he simply fell and rolled upon impact.
While we understand that if he had been hit, that driver wouldn’t be at fault—and they didn’t even stop, if that were the case—we rushed him to the emergency vet. He spent the night in ICU, underwent several X-rays, and we’re grateful for our pet insurance. However, we still need to cover our deductible and pay 10% of any additional charges.
My question is: should we submit these vet bills as part of our claim with the at-fault party’s insurance? We’re not trying to double dip; we just want to cover the expenses that aren’t fully covered by our pet insurance. Additionally, should I inform our pet insurance about the accident so they can coordinate with the at-fault party’s insurance? I just want to make sure we handle everything properly. Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear your dog is okay after such a scary incident! It sounds like you’ve been through a lot. Regarding your question about how to handle the bills:
Submit Bills to Pet Insurance: Start by submitting the veterinary bills to your pet insurance as you normally would. Be sure to document all expenses, including any out-of-pocket costs that you’ll need to pay after your deductible.
Contact the At-Fault Party’s Insurance: Yes, you can submit the bills related to your dog’s injuries (those not covered by your pet insurance) to the at-fault party’s insurance. Make sure to clearly outline which costs are associated with the rear-end collision and provide documentation to support your claim.
Inform Your Pet Insurance: It’s usually a good idea to tell your pet insurance company about the accident. They may have specific protocols for situations like this and can advise you on whether they will try to recover costs from the at-fault party’s insurance. Each policy is different, so check with them directly.
Keep Records: Make sure to keep all documentation in order, including both sets of claims (to pet insurance and the other party’s insurance). This will help in case any questions arise later.
You’re right to be cautious about not double-dipping, so just clearly explain your situation to both insurance companies so they know how the costs are incurred. Wishing you and your pup the best as he recovers!