As you can tell by the title this article is about dogs and how they can use your insurance policy for more than a crate liner. According to the Insurance Information Institue the average dog bite claim in 2008 was $24,461 with 15,823 claims reported in the same year. A tidy sum of $387.2 million was paid by insurance companies for dog bites in 2008.
You can search the internet and find some very useful legal information regarding dog bites. New York takes a mixed approach in handling dog bites with some elements of the “one bite rule” in combination with strict liability provisions. There may be other avenues for recovery as well that do not pertain to the liability provisions above so the advice of an attorney should by obtained.
The liability portion of your Homeowners, Condo or Renters policy provides not only financial protection for judgements against you the dog owner but also provides defense coverage if an attorney is required to defend your case. Keep in mind the liability portion of your policy is the cheapest part so buy all that you can. Limits range from $100,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the insurance company. Also don’t forget about a Personal Umbrella Liability policy as another protection mechanism.
We have had some dog bite claims in our agency and unfortunately a couple involving children. Settlements have ranged from $5,000 to $60,000 not including defense costs. Because these claims can be expensive most insurance companies request information on what type of dog you have and if it has a bite history. Certain breeds pose an issue with many insurance companies and could make it difficult to purchase a new policy so if you have questions give us a call and we can give you more details.
The bottom line is dog bites can be expensive and with the cost of medical care and plastic surgery the way they are the opportunity for a very large claim is there. Be careful who your dog interacts with and be realistic about it’s temperament. Be especially careful when children play or approach your dog because serious wounds can happen very quickly.