5 Biggest Dog Bite Claim Mistakes Homeowners Make
Homeowners’ insurance companies paid out $797 million in homeowners’ insurance dog bite claims in 2018, up 16.7% from the previous year, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Dog bites are the most common homeowners insurance liability claim and are getting more expensive. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of a dog bite claim has increased more than 67% over the past decade, from $32,072 in 2008 to $53,982 in 2018.
If you have a dog, it’s important to ensure you’re properly covered in case your dog bites someone. But even if you don’t have a dog, you could still be liable if a dog bite occurs on your property.
There are a few homeowners’ insurance policies, and not all provide coverage for dog bites. If you have a dog, you’ll need to ensure you have the proper coverage to protect yourself from financial liability.
Keep reading to learn about the biggest dog bite claim mistakes homeowners make and how to avoid them.
Dog Bite Claim and Homeowners Insurance
When it comes to homeowners insurance, one of the most common questions is: “Does my policy cover dog bites?” The answer is maybe. Some homeowners’ insurance policies will cover dog bites, while others will not. It all depends on the specific language of your policy.
If you’re not sure whether or not your policy covers dog bites, the best thing to do is give your insurance company a call and ask. They’ll be able to tell you for sure whether or not you’re covered. And if you’re not covered, they may be able to offer you some alternative options.
No matter what, it’s always a good idea to have at least some kind of coverage in place in case your dog does bite someone. That way, you can avoid any costly out-of-pocket expenses.
Common Dog Bite Claims Mistakes:
- Not Knowing Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Limits
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is that they does not know their policy limits. Your homeowners’ insurance policy will have limits on the amount of coverage it provides for dog bites.
If you have a dog, you’ll need to ensure a policy that provides adequate coverage for dog bites. The average cost of a dog bite claim is more than $50,000, so you’ll need to ensure you have at least $100,000 in coverage.
- Not Keeping Your Dog Up-to-Date on Vaccinations
Another mistake homeowners make is not keeping their dogs up-to-date on vaccinations. If your dog bites someone, your homeowners’ insurance policy will likely exclude coverage if your dog is not up-to-date on vaccinations.
- Not Implementing a “No Tolerance” Policy for Dog Bites
Another mistake homeowners make is not implementing a “no tolerance” policy for dog bites. If you have a dog, you need to make sure that you have a policy that doesn’t allow your dog to bite anyone.
- Not Disclosing Your Dog to Your Homeowners Insurance Company
Another mistake homeowners make is not disclosing their dog to their homeowners’ insurance company. If you have a dog, you need to make sure you disclose it to your insurance company so that you’re properly covered in the event of a dog bite.
- Not Keeping Your Dog Under Control
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is not keeping their dogs under control. If you have a dog, you must always ensure you keep it under control. This includes keeping it on a leash when it’s outside and ensuring it doesn’t have access to guests.
Contact and Visit us at Oracle Law
At Oracle Law, we understand the ins and outs of dog bite claims and homeowners insurance policies. We can help you navigate the process and ensure you have the coverage you need.
Contact us today at (888) 547-1778 to schedule a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your options and get the coverage you need.