All dog owners should have a home owner’s or renter’s insurance policy that provides at least $100,000 in personal liability coverage for injuries their pets inflict. This will provide adequate compensation for most dog attacks except the most severe, and ensure you won’t lose any of your assets or income because of an incident. In some cases, other types of insurance may apply. For example, if your dog attacked someone in a car, your automobile insurance policy would likely cover the incident.
Many big insurers are trying to exclude this coverage from their policies to save money because a third of all claims involve dog bites. Some go so far as to remove it from a plan that previously included it so it’s important to inquire about this when your purchase a plan. Also, ask whether the plan:
- Excludes certain types of dogs
- Limits the number of times it will pay out for dog bits claims
- Limits the amount of money it will pay out
- Limits the household residents or other people who are covered
An insurance policy generally covers you and others in your household who are your relatives or dependents (under 21 years old). A person covered by your insurance policy cannot file a claim as a victim—so you will not receive compensation from your policy if your dog bites your daughter. Your insurance company may also cover your hired help, including pet sitters and walkers, meaning they wouldn’t be able to file claims, either.
If you need to purchase dog owner liability insurance separately because your plan does not include it, contact one of the following companies:
Lester Kalmanson Agency, Inc.
P.O. Box 940008
Maitland, Florida, 32794-0008
(407) 645-5000
Eva Reed
The Ohio Insurance Exchange
117 West Main Street, Ste 103
Lancaster, OH 43130
800.473.1215 Phone
740.681.9945 Phone
Evolution Insurance Brokers
Rick Lindsey, President / Underwriter. Phone: (801) 304-5510 Fax: (801) 304-5595
Tags: Dog Liability Insurance
