While homeowners consider their dog to be a member of a household, some insurance companies see that pet as just another liability.
That's because dogs have the ability to bite and injure humans, and the
Insurance Information Institute (III) says 50 percent of the time that happens on a dog owner's property. The III says dog bites account for one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claims.
Most homeowners and renters insurance policies cover this liability, whether you know it or not. The typical coverage is between $100,000 and $300,000. If the claim is more, the dog owner is personally responsible for any fees or expenses.
You typically run into trouble after the first bite. The III says you may pay a higher premium, the dog may be excluded, or you may have to sign a liability waiver for the dog. Just like with bad driving, though, there are ways to get those fees reduced. Ask your agent about obedience or behavior training to see if that will reduce the fees.
There are also reports that certain dog breeds trigger different insurance rates. The
Humane Society has a complaint form you can fill out if this happened to you. It's called a Breed Specific Homeowner’s Discrimination Report.
The
American Kennel Club even put together a list of tips to help you get coverage, minimize a bite, and to take action to prevent this action from insurance companies.
So, the next time you shop around for insurance rates makes sure you ask about your family pet to see if he's impacting the price you pay.
