Insurers Feel Pinch as Number of Dog Bite Claims Increase

If you own a pit bull, possess insurance and are confident about being protected from liability in the event of a bite involving your pet, it may be time to wake up and smell the coffee. Insurance companies have reported an increase in the number of dog bite claims filed in 2009.

As a result, many insurers are now refusing to cover dog claims as part of homeowner’s liability insurance. Other insurers refuse to cover dog bites unless the dog is sent to behavioral classes. Many companies are now denying claims based on dog breeds. For instance, there is a belief that some kinds of dogs like pit bulls and Rottweilers are more likely to be involved in attacks. If your dog bites someone, and your insurer refuses to cover you, you might find yourself well on your own and with no protection.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites now account for approximately 1/3rd of all homeowners’ insurance liability claims. Out of these claims, half of dog bites occurred on the dog owner’s property. In 2009, insurers paid out about approximately $412 million to cover dog bite claims, an increase of 6.4% from 2008, when insurance companies paid out just over $387 million.

If your dog has a history of bites, or belongs to a breed that your insurer is not comfortable with, then your situation, in case of a bite, could be precarious. Take care to minimize the chances of an attack on your property. Keep your dog secured when there are visitors on your property. Post large warning signs outside the property, warning of an animal on the premises. Take extra precautions when there are children on the property. They are the most frequent victims of dog bites in the US. Your dog must be leashed and muzzled if he is going to be in the presence of strangers.

These steps are becoming more necessary for asset protection than ever. More and more states are moving in to enact strict liability statutes that allow the dog owner to be held liable even if it was the dog’s first bite, and if the owner was not aware of his dog’s propensity to attack.