Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t just protect against natural disasters, theft and other mishaps. It also shields policy holders against lawsuits arising from injuries or damages, even those related to pets. However, thanks to the increasing cost of litigation — especially those surrounding dog bites and other dog-related incidents — many insurance companies refuse to write coverage for homeowners who also own certain breeds of dog.
Almost 40% of American households have a dog and about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. One in five of these require serious medical attention. The average cost of an insurance claim related to a dog bite is over $29,000.
While no one can prevent accident or unintended injuries, there are many precautions that a dog owner can take to prevent bites or other incidents. Educate yourself about your dog breed. Spay or neuter your pet, ”Fixed” dogs tend to be less aggressive. If you do not own an indoor dog, keep your dog leashed, or inside a fenced enclosure. Keep your dog’s vaccinations up to date. When playing with your dog, focus on non-aggressive games such as fetch, instead of tug-of-war. Do not leave strangers or small children unsupervised with your dog.
Taking care of your dog could help you from filing a liability insurance claim.