Why do dogs bite people in the first place? There are many reasons. Sick or hurt dogs often bite people because they don’t want to be touched. A scared dog may bite someone who confronts it or runs from it. Territorial dogs often bite people who come onto their “territory” or get close to their toys or food. A dog might also bite if it’s startled out of sleep.

Dogs bite tens of thousands of people each year. That’s why many owners buy insurance for their pet pooch. It’s a smart idea; the average payout for a bite is well over $50,000. 

Will renters insurance cover dog bites? That depends on your policy. The good news is that this type of policy often covers pets. The bad news is that, in some cases, it may not.  

What Renters Insurance Typically Covers

Your liability policy covers you if your dog bites someone. If your pet damages someone else’s property, it’s covered under your personal property policy.

Most dog and cat breeds are covered by most renters insurance policies. Exotic pets typically aren’t.  

Does Renters Insurance Cover Dog Bites?

Yes. In fact, many policies offer no-fault coverage. This means that the person who was bitten by your pet dog will get compensation for medical bills (up to your policy’s coverage limit) even if he or she instigated the attack or provoked the dog to bite. What’s more, the incident doesn’t have to occur on your property for compensation to kick in. Your policy will also cover bites that occur while you’re out and about town.

Renters insurance also pays legal bills related to a dog bite. If you’re sued, your insurer may cover the cost of hiring a lawyer to defend you. If you settle or the court passes judgment against you, your insurance policy may pay for the judgment or settlement. 

However, your insurer can deny your claim in some situations:

• Your dog biting you or someone in your household (i.e., your child or spouse)
• Injuries to your dog that happened because your dog was attacked by another dog, or any other pet for that matter (you need pet health insurance for that)
• A dog that you haven’t told your insurer about. You have to inform your insurance company you own a dog and provide information for the dog even if the policy provides coverage for pets
• A dog breed your insurer doesn’t cover
• Damage that exceeds your policy limit (If you need a high policy limit, purchase umbrella insurance)

Coverage for Medical Bills and Damages  

Renters insurance covers many bills related to a dog bite injury. These include:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages for the victim
• Pain and suffering  

When Renters Insurance Might Not Cover Dog Bites  

In some states, it’s illegal for your insurance company to refuse coverage for certain dog breeds. However, that doesn’t mean your insurer have to offer you a good deal if you own a dog the company thinks is a risk.

If “breed-based discrimination” is allowed in your state, your renters insurance company can refuse to cover your dog.

It’s hard to get insurance for your pet if: 

• The dog is large and has powerful jaws
• Breeders used to breed the dog to hunt or fight
• People usually buy the breed for use as a guard dog or watch dog
• The dog needs special training in order to be safe
• The breed has a high incidence of claims
• The breed has a high incidence of hurting or even killing innocent people

Even if you get renters insurance to cover your dog, it won’t cover all bite-related instances.

• If your dog bites you or someone in your home, your health insurance will have to foot the bill for the injury.
• If your dog gets into a fight with a neighbor’s dog and is injured, you’ll have to pay for the vet bills unless you have pet health insurance.

Comparing Renters Insurance and Pet Liability Insurance 

Renters insurance covers your entire home, along with extending liability coverage to your pet. Pet liability insurance only covers your pet.

Should you buy pet liability insurance? That depends. You may want to if: 

• Your insurer won’t cover pets
• Your insurer won’t cover your dog breed
• You don’t want to risk losing renters insurance if your dog bites someone (even a single bite can lead to your insurer refusing to renew your policy)

Does Your Policy Cover Your Dog’s Breed? 

The smaller the dog, the easier it will most likely be for you to get coverage. That’s because they most likely can’t seriously injure or kill someone.

Large breeds, on the other hand, are risky. This is especially true if you pick a breed known for its guarding and fighting skills.

Talk to your insurance company to make sure your coverage will include your newest household member. It’s also smart to ask about what happens after a dog bite. Will your insurer raise the premium automatically or take fault into account? Could you lose coverage after a certain number of claims? If this is the case, you may want to cover small claims out of pocket.

What To Do After a Dog Bite  

• See a doctor as soon as you can. You want proof that your injuries were caused by the bite
• Document the bite. Photos and videos show how, when, where, and sometimes why the dog bit someone
• Report the incident to your local animal control agency or policy department (Your state likely has laws with requirements on dog bite reports. Make sure you know and follow these to avoid problems)
• File an insurance claim
• Call a lawyer if you think you’ll need one

Filing a Dog Bite Claim with Renters Insurance 

To file a claim, you’ll need to:

• Collect evidence. This includes the policy report, witness statements, and medical records
• Send the claim to your insurance agency
• Answer any questions your insurer has as quickly and accurately as possible

State laws will determine how the insurance agency processes your claim:

• In some states, the dog’s owner is always liable.
• In some states, dog owners get a pass if it’s the first time a dog bit someone 

When to Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer  

Some dog bite cases are straightforward. Others aren’t. You’ll likely need a lawyer if:

• The insurance company denies your claim for invalid reasons (such as claiming that your breed isn’t covered when it clearly is, or stating that you never told them you had a dog when you did)
• The medical bills and lost wages are higher than your insurance policy’s coverage limit
• The dog caused a lot of pain and suffering
• The dog killed someone
• The person your dog bit is intent on suing you even if the bite wasn’t serious

Conclusion  

Do you own a dog? If you do, tell your insurer about it. Make sure it’s covered by your policy. Find out your coverage limit.

Is your insurance company refusing to cover your dog? Is the liability coverage limit lower than you need it to be? If so, ask about buying a rider, or buy a pet liability policy. Don’t risk owning a dog without coverage. You could be on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars if your pet pooch bites someone for any reason.

If your dog bites someone, or you’ve been bitten by a dog, you may want to talk to a lawyer. A good lawyer can:

• Help you collect evidence
• Deal with the insurance company
• Prevent you from making mistakes that could cost you compensation
• Represent you 

Ledger Law specializes in dog bite liability claims and we have a winning track record. Call us to make an appointment. We’ll analyze your case. We’ll explain your options. We’ll collect evidence for you. We can locate witnesses and even get expert witnesses if you need them. When you work with us, you know you’re in good hands.

FAQs About Does Renters Insurance Cover Dog Bites? 

Does renters insurance cover dog bites on and off the property?

Yes.  

How much will renters insurance pay for a dog bite claim?

The payout for any particular case can vary. It depends on:

• The severity of the injury
• Amount of lost wages
• How much pain and suffering was caused

Does renters insurance cover dog bites to family members or household residents?

No. 

What should I do if renters insurance denies my dog bite claim?

• Find out why you were denied
• Fix things on your end, if you can. Answer questions. Send in the extra paperwork
• Meet with a lawyer to find out what to do next  

When should I call a lawyer after a dog bite if my renters insurance is involved?

Phone a lawyer as soon as you can after getting treatment for your bite. A good lawyer can help you avoid mistakes, collect evidence for you, deal with your insurer, and more.