(07-22-2010 02:36 PM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]I did not see the front seat in a carrier exclusion on the Progressive page.
No I am sorry for the misunderstanding on that.
I was stateing that people really need to do their own research with their auto insurance. It is a simple phone call. I was just giveing progressive as an example of a good seperate plan.
OMG this is long but a very interesting read:
http://wachusett.pssweb.net/Test%20repor...cars-1.pdf
These are sites that include the possibility of using a harness, even for cats, and not a carrier only, where with a harness there is no barrier and no way to keep the animal back from the dash - and close to the airbag. Of course, an animal in a harness is at risk from an airbag. I do not find ANY indication of airbag risk to a cat in a carrier. Did I miss it?
The German study is focused on the pet and carrier becoming a missile and danger to others in the car more than just the safety of the pet. I am not sure that the findings there would not point toward using the front seat, where, if the carrier is going to be a missile, it will not likely be headed toward the driver.
(07-22-2010 10:20 PM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]These are sites that include the possibility of using a harness, even for cats, and not a carrier only, where with a harness there is no barrier and no way to keep the animal back from the dash - and close to the airbag. Of course, an animal in a harness is at risk from an airbag. I do not find ANY indication of airbag risk to a cat in a carrier. Did I miss it?
The German study is focused on the pet and carrier becoming a missile and danger to others in the car more than just the safety of the pet. I am not sure that the findings there would not point toward using the front seat, where, if the carrier is going to be a missile, it will not likely be headed toward the driver.
Is it your thought or your opinion that a cat would be safe in the front seat if belted in and placed in a carrier?
Obviously, recognizing no place is safe depending on the accident. We sometimes do it when we are driving alone and feel the need to be able to see the cat.
(07-22-2010 11:41 PM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]Obviously, recognizing no place is safe depending on the accident. We sometimes do it when we are driving alone and feel the need to be able to see the cat.
I respect your opinion. I myself feel safer with my dogs and cat in the back seat buckled in.
It is safer. I am afraid while taking as many as six carriers on vet visits, we have even gotten out of the habit of trying to figure out how to buckle them all in.
(07-23-2010 08:29 AM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]It is safer. I am afraid while taking as many as six carriers on vet visits, we have even gotten out of the habit of trying to figure out how to buckle them all in.
Oh my gosh I couldnt even imagine. I guess that is where an SUV would come in handy. I spoke with my brother in law last night regarding this matter. We both looked for statistics online regarding airbags and carriers. We found none. Studies have been done on children, adults, etc, but very few to none regarding pets ( especially cats). He spoke to me from exp and what he has witnessed thru his 28 years of being a state police officer. He is in the state of Mass and he said that the last horror he saw was an accident on the Mass Turnpike. 1 adult the driver, 1 dog, and a 2 cats. Dog free in the back seat of the car, not belted in. It is a Rottie. The 2 cats, both in carriers ( not belted in ), 1 in the back seat one in the front.
The car was stopped at toll booths and was rear ended with an impact speed of about 45mph. The adult, dog, and 1 cat survived. The cat in the front seat sadly passed.
The air bags all deployed on impact. The cat in the front passenger seat was in a hard carrier. When the airbag deployed the carrier was smashed so badly that the pieces of plastic impaled the poor kitty. The adult has broken facial bones, broken shoulder, and a broken nose. It may be dramatic and far and few inbetween but things like this scare me.
I dont drive that often here in nyc, maybe 4 times a year, but when I do they go in the back with my kids, it just makes me feel safer
As you know from the German study you posted, a carrier belted in the back seat was torn apart as well from the force of the impact.