Thinking Of Getting A Dog? 3 Insurance Options You Need To Consider

23 September 2014
 Categories: Insurance, Blog


Do you own a dog or are thinking about getting one? Before you do, you may want to make sure that you are covered financially if something caused your dog to bite or do harm to someone else. While dogs can be a wonderful addition to a home, they come with the responsibility of preserving the health of others. Fortunately, there are some insurance options that can help you in the event your dog causes damage to someone.

Homeowner's And Renter's Insurance

Many times, your homeowner's or renter's insurance will cover you legally in the event your dog bites someone else while on your property. Most standard policies will cover your legal liabilities that may arrive after a dog bite, as well as pay for any injuries by the person who was bitten. Make sure your policy specifically states its dog bite stipulations.

However, some insurance companies will only allow you to make a dog bite claim once. If your dog attacks again, you may be on the hook for the entire amount of damage that is incurred by the other person. In addition, the insurer may decide to cancel your policy altogether after a second instance of biting. Also, keep in mind that some insurance companies may not be willing to even write a policy on your home in the first place if they believe that you own a dangerous breed. Some of the common breeds deemed dangerous—as in, those breeds that are associated with a large proportion of dog bite claims—include Rottweiler, pit bulls, and chows.

Car Insurance

If the dog bite happens in your vehicle, your car insurance may pick up the cost of damages incurred by the dog. This is often the case when someone is bitten by a dog in the back of a truck. Sometimes, both the homeowner's and car insurance will be able to provide coverage. If this happens, the two insurers will usually go to court to decide which one is going to pay.

Dog Owner's Liability Insurance

Sometimes, you may find yourself in a bind when it comes to getting insurance for your dog. If that happens, you may be able to go to a specialty insurer, such as Donaghy Kempton Insurors, and get liability insurance meant specifically to cover damages from dog bites. This option is usually for those with dogs who have already bitten someone and can no longer have dog bite coverage on their homeowner's policy. Some local ordinances may require you to have specialized insurance for dogs of a certain breed.

If you are thinking about getting a dog breed that is considered "dangerous" by the insurance companies, you need to make sure you do everything you can to prevent anyone from becoming harmed. Make sure to build a sturdy fence, always have the dog leashed, and also consider a muzzle for the dog when taking it on walks. Doing these things could save both you and your dog from a lot of trouble in the future.


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