When you load up the van with Fido and the family, one of you isn't covered. Guess which one.

To rectify this industry oversight, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies now offers $2,000 in pet injury coverage as part of its standard auto policy at no additional cost to customers. Coverage is available in Arizona, Maryland, Texas and New Jersey so far.

The policy pays up to the claim limit to treat, board, euthanize and replace your pet if it is injured or killed in a crash. It even covers horses in trailers.

"We have a lot of customers who have pets and love their pets," says Chubb spokesman Dave Hilgen. "The distinction is it will cover any animal that isn't used for business or profit. If you have a race horse and you're taking it to the track, it wouldn't cover that. It has to be a pet."

Any pet? Sure, says Hilgen: snakes, monkeys, hedgehogs. Even bigger exotic animals.

"The bottom line is, it's difficult to get a lion sitter if you happen to have a lion, so sometimes you have to take that lion with you," he says. "If it's a pet, it's covered."