The law is clear: If your dog bites someone, you could be on the financial hook for that person’s injuries and other effects of the incident. But from a practical standpoint, you might have insurance coverage that could kick in and pay for these losses—up to policy limits— and the insurance company would even defend your case in court if you get sued.
In this article, we’ll take a look at:
- dog bite liability insurance, and
- other types of insurance that could cover a dog bite
What Is Dog Bite Liability Insurance?
Sometimes known as animal liability insurance, this is insurance that provides the policyholder with financial protection in situations where an animal they own:
- hurts someone else, or
- damages someone else’s property.
Dog bite liability (or animal liability) insurance coverage also provides reimbursement for certain legal costs if there’s a personal injury lawsuit stemming from something the animal does.
It should be noted that this kind of insurance isn’t very common, mainly because other types of insurance will often protect dog owners when their animal bites someone or causes damage of some kind. Let's look at these other insurance coverage options.
Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Dog Bites?
Many homeowners' insurance policies will cover dog bites in much the same way animal liability policies do. But there are three potential exceptions to dog bite liability coverage under a homeowners’ insurance policy.
First, insurance coverage might not apply to certain dog breeds. For example, coverage could exclude incidents involving certain types of dogs, like pit bulls or Rottweilers. Insurance companies may believe (rightly or wrongly) that these and other breeds have an increased tendency to bite, and that if a bite does occur, injuries are likely to be more severe.
Second, dog bite liability protection may only apply to the first claim stemming from the bite of a particular dog. The reasoning is that a dog owner may be initially unaware of a pet’s propensity to bite others and therefore, not be able to take steps to prevent it. But after the first dog bite, the owner is now on notice of the danger the dog poses to others and should take steps to prevent any acts of aggression. (Get more details on a dog owner's liability for bites and other injuries.)
Third, depending on the language of the homeowners' insurance policy, it might not cover dog bites that take place at a location other than the pet owner’s home. So if a dog bite occurs when the dog owner takes the dog for a walk down the street, there might not necessarily be coverage under the homeowners’ policy.
Does Renters' Insurance Cover Dog Bites?
Renters’ insurance works in largely the same way as homeowners’ insurance when it comes to liability coverage for things like dog bites. One thing to remember is that renters' liability policy limits tend to be smaller than homeowners’ policies. But most renters can get greater protection by asking for higher limits (and paying a higher premium). Also, the insurance protection will protect the dog owner, not the property owner (landlord) from legal liability due to the dog bite.
Other Insurance That Might Cover a Dog Bite
There are three other types of insurance policies that could cover a dog bite. The first is car insurance. Sounds a bit odd, but there are situations where a dog riding in its owner’s car could bite someone else. This might happen if someone is walking by a parked or slowly moving car while the dog's head is out the window. If a car insurance policy applies in a situation like this, there’s also a chance the homeowners’ policy will apply.
Next up is pet insurance. These policies help pay for medical or health-related costs for the pet. So if the dog gets sick or has an injury while playing outside, then pet insurance should cover the dog’s medical care for these types of events. Some pet insurance policies will also cover instances where the insured pet bites someone else. But as is the case with homeowners’ policies, many pet insurance plans will only cover the first dog bite claim.
Lastly, there’s umbrella insurance. This is insurance that offers coverage that goes beyond what's provided in existing policies. This includes providing higher policy limits for already covered losses, as well as providing coverage for losses excluded by other policies. Of course, the details are crucial here, so it's important to read the fine print of the policy and talk to an insurance representative about what's covered and what's not.
Are You Dealing With a Situation Involving a Dog Bite?
If you've been bitten by a dog, or if you own a dog that's bitten someone else, you might need to understand and navigate the insurance claim process. In rare instances, the dog bite could lead to a lawsuit. Whichever side you find yourself on, it might make sense to talk to a legal professional to discuss your situation and make sure your rights are protected.
Learn when you might need a personal injury lawyer, and how to find the right injury attorney for you and your case. And if you're ready to reach out for help now, you can use the features right on this page to connect with a lawyer near you.