PET INSURANCE an accidental injury to someone or damage to property belonging to someone else occurs due to some fault ( alleged or actual ) of the policyholder : Someone trips on a curled rug in your home or slips on an icy walkway you control but failed to treat ; a dead tree on your property falls and damages your neighbor ’ s fence ; your child accidentally throws a ball through a neighbor ’ s window ; or your dog bites your friendly delivery driver . These are all examples of situations that create liability .
Animal-related insurance claims are not cheap ! The average dog-bite claim in 2023 was $ 64,555 , but it can be much higher . The top five jury awards include a $ 20 million judgment in California in 2016 ( the victim was killed ) and a $ 5.6 million award in Florida in 2023 wherein the victim ’ s injuries were likened to those from a shark attack and required years of surgeries and rehabilitation . Consideration , then , should be given to carrying higher liability limits under the homeowners policy plus a personal umbrella policy with limits adequate to address the risk , particularly if your pet is on a list of dangerous breeds . If the injury exceeds the liability limit carried , the homeowner would be held liable out of pocket for the balance of the jury award .
Liability coverage would also address property damage your pet causes to another party ’ s property , but it is important to note that homeowner ' s insurance will not cover situations where your dog ruins your own belongings . Destruction to your home or personal property caused by your pet is usually an out-of-pocket expense .
BREED EXCLUSIONS TO KNOW
Most insurers have a list of restricted dog breeds and dangerous pets that are not covered by personal liability coverage . Some of the breeds considered to be aggressive include the following : Akita , Alaskan Malamute , any wolf breeds , Chow Chow , Doberman Pinscher , German Shepherd , Great Dane , Pit Bull , Presa Canario , Rottweiler , Siberian Husky , and Staffordshire Terrier . Other larger , energetic breeds or other types of animals may also be excluded .
BE SURE TO TALK WITH YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER DIRECTLY , AND DO NOT ASSUME THAT YOUR CARRIER WILL AUTOMATICALLY COVER YOUR PET WITHOUT ADVISING THE CARRIER OF YOUR OWNERSHIP .
It is always best to be up-front about pets that live in your household when you open a new policy or update your coverage . If insurers are not aware that you have a pet , they can deny coverage for injuries and / or damage caused by that pet . Plus , if you do have a pet that is not eligible for coverage , your carrier will be able to advise you of the exclusion .
STATE LAWS
It is important to understand your specific state ’ s laws . Roughly half the states in the United States ( including New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Delaware , and Maryland ) are strict owner liability states that make dog owners financially responsible for most injuries and property damage caused by their dogs . There are 13 states ( including Virginia ) that follow the one-bite rule — an owner ’ s legal responsibility depends on whether they knew , or should have known , that their dog might be vicious or dangerous . Liability in one-bite states , too , can also be assigned to the condominium or homeowners association in which the owner resides , whether the association has control of the animal or not . Understanding each state ’ s differences , as well as your state ’ s leash laws , and carrying adequate insurance will help to protect you .
WHAT IF I AM DENIED COVERAGE BECAUSE OF MY PET ( S )?
If your furry friend is denied coverage under your homeowners insurance policy , do not give up right away . A DNA test on your pet can be used to confirm their breed , and some insurers may agree to cover mixed breeds based on the percentage of breed
makeup . You may also be able to obtain a waiver after you and your dog have completed obedience training .
PROTECTION STARTS WITH PREVENTION
Taking the time to make sure you and your pet family members are protected in a worst-case scenario is part of being a responsible pet owner , but it is not the only way to reduce your liability and keep the people and property around you as safe as possible . Be sure to take advantage of animal training classes , keep your pets leashed in public spaces ( whether state law requires you to or not ), and socialize your animals early on to reduce the potential for a negative interaction .
Consideration , too , should be given to your lifestyle and surroundings . While a more aggressive animal may be perfect for a homeowner living in a remote area , a gentler breed may be best for families with small children or for residents of a homeowners or condominium association where neighbors including children are in close proximity .
Whether or not you have pets , reach out to one of our team members today if you have any questions regarding homeowners insurance coverage . +
BY : ROBIN MANOUGIAN SENIOR CLIENT EXECUTIVE JGS INSURANCE , A BALDWIN RISK PARTNER
Robin Manougian is Senior Client Executive with The Baldwin Group . Robin is in Baldwin ’ s Bethesda , Maryland , office and has specialized in community association insurance for 30 years .
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