Dog Bite Insurance: Where and Why To Get It

Dog bite insurance is well worth the cost. Almost 5 million people sustain dog bites each year, with more than half of all incidents occurring on an owner's property. One-third of homeowner liability claims, costing in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually, arise from dog bite incidents. Without dog bite insurance, you may be held liable for all costs if your dog bites and injures someone.

Insurance Protection Against Dog Bite Lawsuits

Do not assume it is difficult to obtain dog bite insurance. Dog bite insurance is sold as three basic types:

• Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies, providing liability coverage if your dog has not bitten someone.
• Homeowners and renters insurance with higher premiums, providing liability coverage if your dog has already bitten someone.
• Umbrella liability policies, providing added coverage for potential dog bite incidents, but possibly costing hundreds of dollars more per year.

Prevention: The Best Protection

The best insurance is preventing dog bites in the first place. Care for your dog well. Never play aggressive games, like tug-of-war, with your dog. If your dog behaves aggressively, seek advice from your vet or canine behaviorist.