Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Dog Bites?

Dogs can be important members of any kind of family. We would know, as office dogs Shredder and Rider are two valued members of our team at Berry Insurance! 

This is why it can be so devastating when your normally friendly pooch bites a friend, neighbor, or even a stranger unexpectedly. Beyond the initial shock and treatment, the potential damages and claims that follow could prove even more costly. 

Dog bites rank as one of the most common insurance claims, even seeing a steady increase in recent years, making it important to inform your agent of the dogs you own (or any new additions) so they can best explain how you and your dogs will be covered by your homeowners insurance. 

How are dog bites covered by home insurance? 

In the event that you are found liable for your dog biting someone not covered under your family policy, such as a neighbor, friend, or stranger at a dog park, it would usually be covered by the liability protection within your homeowners insurance.

Your policy’s personal liability coverage protects you when someone is injured on your property and sues you for liability, covering medical expenses or any legal fees/settlements. This coverage would extend in regards to your dog injuring another person, even if it is outside of your property, like when you are at a dog park or friend’s house. 

Medical payments to others would factor in when injuries occur on your property that require any medical attention. This could occur if your dog knocks a friend over or causes them injury in another way. Your coverage would handle any of their medical bills, up to your policy’s limit. 

What factors determine coverage?

Depending on the insurance carrier, you may not be eligible in the first place for homeowners coverage if you own a dog breed that is deemed dangerous or has a tendency towards aggression or biting. You would also not be able to secure coverage for any dog who already has a history of biting. 

Excluded dog breeds: 

While varying between states and insurance providers, here are some of the most commonly excluded dog breeds from home insurance policies :

• German Shepherd
• Great Dane
• Pit Bull 
• Siberian Husky
• Mastiff
• Akita
• Chow chow
• Doberman Pinscher 
• Rottweiler
• Presa Canario 
• Staffordshire Terrier
• Wolf hybrids

Even if your dog's breed is not excluded from your policy, it does not mean you are risk free from potential dog bite claims. While breeds like Labrador retrievers are commonly associated with being family-friendly or docile, they have made up the majority of bite claims in recent years. 

No matter your pups breed, it is crucial to go through the steps of seeing if they qualify for coverage under your home insurance policy. 

How umbrella insurance could help

As a standard home insurance policy usually only offers anywhere from $100,000 to $1,000,000 of personal liability coverage, opting for umbrella insurance would grant you additional coverage in situations such as dog bite claims. 

An umbrella policy protects you and your assets if you are found liable for damages beyond what your underlying policies will cover. 

However, it would be unlikely that umbrella insurance could be written for your policy if you have any of the excluded dog breeds listed above. 

How to file a dog bite claim

In the unfortunate event that you or a family member are bitten by another’s dog, you would have the option to file a claim against the dog owner’s home, condo, or renters insurance policy. You may need to provide documentation, such as photos of the damage or hospital treatment bills, to the insurance provider. 

After reporting your claim, the insurance company would provide an adjuster who will contact you about the damages. The adjuster will assess the damage and and collect any information to help the insurance company determine the amount needed to be paid for the damages. After the initial payment is made, there may be additional funds paid if the initial appraisal does not uncover the full extent of the damages. This is then followed by the insurance company closing the claim. 

If your dog bites someone else not included under your home insurance policy, it would be best to find out what your current policy covers and contact your insurance agent to alert them of any possible claims that will be made against your home, condo, or renters policy. 

Protection against bites

While even the most well behaved dogs can have their aggressive moments, it’s a good idea to take the steps to prevent them any way you can. This includes keeping them leashed when around new people, having your dog trained by a professional, and teaching your dog to only chew on certain items like toys or bones. 

For further information on how you can give your pups the best protection, check out this article on a separate insurance policy just for your pets: What is Pet Insurance?