Dog Bites And Homeowners Insurance Claims

By Kyle Fitzsimmons, InsuranceAgents.com Staff Writer

Liability Coverage Needed For Dog Bite Damages

Some are cute and cuddly, others are loyal and trustworthy, but all are loved by their owners. They’re our dogs and we love them no matter what. Unfortunately though, they are animals and animals are suspect to strange and unusual behavior. Sometimes that means lashing out and biting someone. If your dog bites someone on your property then you are likely to receive the resulting medical bills or a lawsuit or both. That is why a quality homeowners insurance policy with liability coverage is essential if you own a dog of any kind.

If you do not already own a quality homeowners insurance policy or if you are interested in saving money by switching policies, then what are you waiting for? Compare homeowners insurance quotes today to find the best policy at the right price by using our simple online forms located here.

It is natural for dog owners to think that their dog can do no wrong and they will never have to file a claim as a result of a dog bite. If this is you then you might want to think twice after reading these statistics provided by the Insurance Information Institute (iii.org) and the Los Angeles Times.

• One third of all homeowners insurance liability claims in 2008 resulted from dog bites
• Dog bites cost insurance companies $387.2 million in 2008 which was an 8.7 percent increase from 2007
• In 2008, dog bite claims rose 9 percent
• More than 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year with 900,000 requiring medical attention as a result

You must list any dogs you own in your homeowners insurance policy if you want coverage if they bite someone. Unfortunately, dogs that are known for being aggressive could be red flagged by your insurance company as high risk which means higher premiums. But if your dog isn’t listed in your policy and it bites someone then you may not be covered which could be financially devastating.

Be Cautious And Avoid Having To File A Homeowners Insurance Claim

Be careful and use common sense if you have a dog and have company over. If the dog is prone to aggressive behavior then isolate him or her from your guests. Accidents happen, yes, but can be avoided if you take the right precautions. The last thing any dog owner, or homeowner, wants is to have to file a homeowners insurance claim as a result of a dog bite. Talk to your home insurance agent today about ways to lower risk and keep your dog and your guests safe from harm. To find a great local agent use our online quote form located here.

Published: Monday 19th October 2009