Sometimes our furry friends can cause us more problems than we’d like. House training and veterinary visits are one thing. When your dog bites someone, your home insurance policy may not take it too lightly.
More Americans have to submit dog bite claims than you may think. In fact, over 17,000 dog bite claims were filed in 2019 alone. Plus, the average cost for each dog bite claim in the US is over $40,000.
For many of these homeowners, their insurance companies likely dropped their policies after these claims were taken care of. Others may never be able to file another dog bite claim again under the same insurer.
The good news is, you can still get home insurance after a dog bite claim. Your dog may be considered an exclusion (like another uncovered peril) and will not be covered if it bites someone else.
The bad news is, your claim may not always be approved by your insurer. Some exceptions apply to dog bites that may leave you paying for medical expenses or worse – court fees. Keep reading to find out what circumstances are exempt and what to expect from a dog bite claim.
Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites?
Yes – your homeowners insurance will cover dog bites. If your dog bites someone or damages their property, you’re considered liable. In this case, your homeowners liability coverage kicks in.
Of course, this is only the case if your dog is not considered dangerous. If your dog has a history of violence or is listed as a “dangerous breed”, then your insurance may reject your claim. This is the reason Forbes calls dogs “Liability Bombs”.
Some breeds are considered higher risk and more liable to hurt someone or something. A few of these are:
- American Pit Bulls
- Chow Chows
- Dobermans
- Rottweilers
- German Shepards
- Wolf breeds
If your dog is not dangerous under your policy’s discretion, your liability and medical coverage will take care of the costs of your dog’s bite. Let’s take a look at some approved circumstances where your insurance steps in.
When your dog bites someone
If your dog bites a guest, your medical and liability coverage will take care of it.
Your liability coverage will cover up to $500,000 worth of damage caused by your dog’s bite. This could include medical, legal, or other fees. Medical coverage will take care of smaller issues, like an X-ray. This coverage limit is a bit smaller, usually capping out at $5,000.
The dog bite doesn’t have to only occur in the home for your homeowner’s insurance to take care of it, either. This bite can occur in your home, property, or even the street. Unless your policy expressly forbids it, your dog is your property and will be covered regardless of where the event took place.
When your dog bites someone’s property
Sometimes our dogs get a little too excited and mistake fences and other properties for chew toys. In the event that your dog bites and destroys someone else’s property, your insurance will cover it.
Also read: Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites off property?
Additional dog bites coverage
If you have an overly rambunctious chihuahua or massive malamute, your insurer may reject their coverage from the get-go. If you’re one of the thousands of people with a dog that is considered a risk, there are other policies available.
Much like additional liability coverage, bonafide animal liability insurance can protect you from the costs of your dog biting someone or their property. The difference is, animal liability insurance will cover dangerous breeds and other dogs with negative track records.
Animal liability insurance could come as an add-on to your current policy depending on your insurer. In other cases, you could just pay for this type of coverage as its own policy.
Just like your home insurance, your animal liability coverage will only protect you from your dog biting others. This doesn’t include damage to you or your family members.
Will my home insurance cover me if my dog bites another dog?
Yes – your insurance will even step in when your dog bites another person’s dog.
Just as you’re responsible for your pet, the other pet has someone responsible for it as well. Think of this as if your tree falls on another person’s property. You’re liable for whatever happens to someone else because of your property.
Just like any other dog bite claim, you will be covered for damage or loss if your dog bites other dogs.
Also read: Canine liability exclusion
Renewing your policy after a dog bite claim
Accidents happen, but they shouldn’t cost you your home coverage. Although your dog has bitten someone, you can still purchase insurance even after the bite has occurred. The only thing is, your policy may have new implications on it when it’s time to renew.
Now that your dog is seen as a potential risk, your insurance rate could go up. They could give you the option of rehoming your dog to stay insured with them. In some more severe cases, your insurer might drop you altogether.
Considering none of these options are favorable, you may look into other options. Compare your rates with other companies, and make sure to pay attention to their exclusions. If you can’t find a good policy that includes your pup, you may end up needing standalone pet liability coverage after all.
Dog ownership in the US
Based on a 2015-2016 survey conducted by APPA, 65% of households in the US own a pet. Of this number, 78 million are dogs. Of the 78 million pet dogs, there were 4.5 million reported cases of dog bites in the US alone. This means that 5% of the pet dogs in the US have reportedly caused an injury. On top of that, 1 million of these cases are considered to be serious. However, there were only 15,000 claims filed against their home insurance liability claims. Despite the low number of insurance claims filed, insurance companies become wearier of homes with dogs when it comes to insurance policy approval.
Homeowners insurance and the “aggressive” dog breeds
Numbers and statistics don’t lie. Insurance companies would often have second thoughts when it comes to approving policies for homes with dogs, especially if your dog belongs to one of the more aggressive breeds. Generally, smaller dogs are gentler and less likely to bite.
If you are the owner of a dog of one of the breeds listed below, it may be harder to secure a homeowner’s insurance policy:
- Akita
- Alaskan Malamute
- Canary Dogs
- Chow Chow
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd
- Pit Bull
- Rottweiler
- Siberian Husky
- Wolf Hybrid
Filing the dog bite liability claim
There are different types of dog bite liability and this will depend on the kind of law applicable in the state. There are some states that apply the one-bite rule. This means that the homeowner is free from any liability if it is the first instance of a dog bite. However, most states apply the dog bite statute, which assumes automatic liability for injuries caused by a dog bite. There is more liability if in case it is proven that the dog bite has occurred due to the violation of the negligence law and upon failure to control the dog.
Once the dog bite has already occurred, it is important to document everything to ensure that the claim can be filed properly. This will also help speed up the payout process. When a dog bite happens, one’s instinct may cause one to panic. However, it is important to remain focused in order to document everything. Homeowners must document every detail and take photos of the scene and the injury. It will also be helpful to document the medical assistance provided to the injured person. This will serve as evidence during the insurance claim process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my policy be denied due to the breed of my dog?
No, but it will take longer to have your policy approved. There are insurance companies that may approve the policy provided that the homeowner signs a waiver against any liability for dog bites. On the other hand, there are insurance companies that may require a higher premium for homes with dogs that have been blacklisted.
Can I get homeowners insurance after a dog bite claim?
Yes, you can still get home insurance after a dog bite claim. Your dog may be excluded like one of the uncovered perils and will not be covered if it bites someone else.
My dogs are trained and I have been educated on responsible pet ownership. Would that help in the approval of my insurance policy application?
Insurance companies claim that they also consider the background of the homeowner. Most of them wouldn’t normally disapprove of your application simply because of the breed of your dog.
What happens to my homeowners insurance after my dog has bitten someone?
Most people would ask if a case of a dog bite will affect their home insurance policy. In most cases, the answer is YES. The premium of the insurance policy can increase and there might be a chance of non-renewal of the policy. Other cases will ask that the dog be excluded from the policy. Other homeowners would think that the nondisclosure of dog ownership will make their policy application easier. However, if you fail to disclose your ownership of a pet, this can lead to the cancellation of your policy.
Isn’t it illegal to blacklist or discriminate against certain dog breeds?
No. Currently, there are only two states in the US that protect homeowners against breed discrimination. These 2 states are Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Conclusion
In America, dog bites occur every minute. Not everyone is as understanding as others; not every bite is just a scratch. If you have a pet that might be inclined to bite someone, you might want to take a look at your policy and see how much you’re covered.
A good rule of thumb with homeowners insurance is to maintain your property to avoid unnecessary costs. The same idea transfers to your pets. Having your dog socialize is a good idea to get them accustomed to other people. Train them well, have them vaccinated, and correct any naughty behavior that could escalate.
I need Homeowner’s insurance based upon being non-reviewed for a dog insurance bite that never happened and was faked by an evil person.