Oh No! Dog Bite Claims Hit Record High
In 2013, dog bites accounted for over a third of all homeowners insurance liability claim dollars.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites are on the rise. The number of claims related to Fido taking a chunk out of a neighbor, friend or family member jumped up roughly 6 percent to 17,359. This figure shattered the previous record which was set way back in 2003. The average cost of a dog bite related claim has jumped up 45 percent over the past decade to a whopping $27,862. In 2013, dog bites accounted for over a third of all homeowners insurance liability claim dollars.
Figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that a ton of dog bites don’t result in an insurance claim. The CDC estimates that there are roughly 4.5 million dog bites every year. According to their estimates, adult males and children between the ages of 5 to 9 are the most common victim of dog bites.
Are you covered?
Your liability for a dog bite will vary from state to state. There are some states where the owner is liable under all circumstances unless the dog is clearly provoked. In other states the owner is not considered liable unless the victim can prove the owner was aware the dog was dangerous and was careless in handling it.
The first question you are probably going to ask if your furry best friend decides to take a bite out of someone is, am I covered if this turns out to be a serious issue?
The answer often depends on your insurer and the type of dog you have. As dog bites have become more common, insurers have become stricter regarding dog-inflicted damage and the claims that result. In most cases, your policy will cover medical and property damage under the Personal Liability section of the policy up to policy limits, which typically range from $100,000 to $500,000 but can be higher under certain circumstances.
If your policy does not cover dog bites, or certain breeds you could end up paying for the damages out of pocket which can quickly run into the thousands of dollars.
For more information on preventing these risks, please visit our FAQ page: How to reduce the risk associated with dog bites on your property?
Insurers don’t like all dogs
Insurers have started charging higher premiums for certain breeds, or in some cases they refuse to cover certain types of dogs. High on that list is Pit Bulls. This can be a very difficult breed when it comes to insurance. Other breeds that are less than desirable, according to insurers are Rottweilers, wolf hybrids and Dobermans. In some cases you will be required to sign a waiver of liability for dog bites if you own one of these breeds.
Other insurers will insist that the dog goes to pet behavior class if they are going to offer coverage. If your pet falls into one of these breed classifications it is best to check with your insurance agent in regards to coverage. You do not want to find out that you are not covered and are on the hook for damages after an incident has happened.
Regardless of breed, if your dog has bitten someone and it resulted in a claim, expect your premiums to head up dramatically. There is also the very real possibility that your insurer will drop coverage or require you to exclude the dog from your policy
Specialty Firms
There are insurers that specialize in dog coverage. The Federation of Insured Dog Owners, or FIDO offers policies that have limits from $50,000 to $100,000. These policies do not have breed restrictions. The cost of coverage will vary depending on variety of factors but are reported to be very reasonable. Unfortunately, these polices are only available in the following nine states: California, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin.