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How safe is it to take a pet in the car when you move to a new city?

I'm moving from New York City to Richmond, Virginia, and I have a dog and an older car. How safe is it to drive that far in an older car with my pet?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Any time that you’re traveling a long distance with your pet, the trip isn’t as safe as it could be, especially if the pet isn’t properly restrained.
Just like children, pets can get restless and move around the inside of the car. Therefore, you’re going to need to take frequent breaks to keep the pet from acting up or going to the bathroom in your car. Plan on adding a few hours to your trip for these reasons.
As far as your vehicle, you should definitely take it to a shop before you leave to make sure that everything is in tip-top condition. If something isn’t working, you can at least get it repaired or exercise your
used car warranty
so you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket.
It’s also a good idea to make sure you have roadside assistance added to your car insurance policy before embarking on a long roadtrip. If your car breaks down, it’s offer some peace of mind knowing you can have someone help you with a quick phone call.
For industry-leading roadside assistance, why not try using Urgently,
Jerry’s
partner? You can get a tow, tire change, lockout services, and more for only $50 a year.”
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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