Whether it’s a trip to the vet, or just a cruise to the beach, at some point all animal owners will have to transport their pets.  Transporting your pets in a car can be very dangerous to you and your pet if not handled properly.  Each day we see people driving with their small dog on their lap, or bigger dogs roaming the entire car.  Not only is this a distraction to the driver, but it can be very dangerous for your pet in the event that you are in an accident. 

Here are some safety tips and ideas you can use when transporting your pet in your vehicle:

• Restrain your pet - Using a pet specific seatbelt or a crate will help to keep your pet in one spot. Having your pet restrained will also make them less of a distraction because they won’t be able to crawl onto your lap and will not obstruct your views of other vehicles on the road.
• Use a pet barrier - For larger dogs that don’t fit into a crate or seatbelt, barriers are available to fit your make of vehicle. These barriers will keep your large dog in place and keep you from being distracted.
• Drive defensively - When driving, you are responsible for your pet’s well-being. Therefore, drive accordingly. Slow down, check your mirrors often and keep a close eye on the other cars driving around you.
• Smaller pets and exotics - for small pets like cats, or more exotic breeds like lizards, it is important to keep them in a crate or a cage while driving. Smaller animals have a tendency to seek out hidden places that can be dangerous. Keeping them in a cage will make sure they don’t end up under your brake pedal or on your dashboard.

Following these tips will make sure that you and your pet are safe on your next road trip or during your next visit to the vet!

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

As with most states, when you purchase auto insurance, you are required to carry a minimum amount of coverage to ensure that you can pay for damage caused in the event of an accident.  Minimum insurance requirements are also put in place to help keep uninsured vehicles off the road.  When purchasing your California auto insurance policy, it will need to include the following minimums:

• $15,000 for injury/death to one person
• $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person
• $5,000 for damage to property

While these minimums might cover most accidents, you should carry more insurance in certain instances.  If you live in an area that is highly trafficked and has very expensive vehicles driving around, your minimums may not cover the least amount of damage that may be caused in an accident.  Also, if you are financing a new vehicle purchased in California, the bank or dealer who has financed the vehicle will require that you carry enough insurance to cover the vehicle in the event that it is totaled.  Even if you own an older car that you may not think is very valuable, you may want to have more coverage to protect your passengers and others that you are sharing the road with.

For more information about California auto insurance minimum coverages, please contact a representative at www.aisinsurance.com or call 888-772-4247.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.