Does renters insurance cover dog bites

Renters Insurance Dog Bite Coverage – All You Need To Know

Does renters insurance cover dog bites? Here is all you need to know.

For humans, a dog is not only a pet animal. They are treated as a part or member of the family. They sit with us and also sleep with us just like any other family member.

But still, a dog is an animal. Thatโ€™s why there are some risks involved if you own a dog.

Itโ€™s possible that your lovely dog may cause property damage or may hurt someone.

But there is no need to worry as there are insurance coverages available to insure yourself from the damage done by your dog.

Here is what you need to know about renters insurance and dog bite coverage.

Does Renters Insurance Cover Dog Bites?

The simple answer is โ€“ YES!

Dog bites are generally covered by the renters insurance policy. If you are a tenant cum dog owner, you should definitely get renters insurance. The liability protection of renters insurance covers damages done by your dog including dog bites.

The extent of injury caused by a dog bite is not something you can predict. The initial injury may not seem serious but it can also become dangerous.

Even minor injuries can cause nerve damage and may lead to rigorous treatment and surgeries.

This is the reason you canโ€™t ignore dog bite coverage in your renters insurance as a person bitten by your dog may file a lawsuit against you which can prove to be very expensive.

Read: Does renters insurance cover water damage?

Are Some Dog Breeds Excluded From Renters Insurance Coverage?

Yes.

Some dog breeds are excluded from the personal liability coverage of renters insurance.

If your dog is of the breed that is excluded, any dog bite by that dog will be excluded from your policy and you will have to pay from your own pocket in case of any claim or lawsuit.

Generally, insurance companies exclude those breeds that are more aggressive or have a higher chance of biting someone.

Here are some commonly excluded dog breeds:

  • Doberman Pinschers
  • German Shepherds
  • Pit Bull Terriers
  • Great Danes
  • Rottweilers
  • American Bulldogs
  • Mastiffs
  • Chow Chows
  • Akitas
  • Staffordshire Terriers
  • Beaucerons
  • Belgian Malinois
  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks

If you own a dog that is not on this list, contact your insurance provider to check if your dog is excluded or included in your renters insurance personal liability coverage.

What dog bite liability coverage offers under renters insurance?

Your personal liability coverage covers everything related to the dog bite.

Your renters insurance policy will pay for any claim filed under your policy related to the damage caused by your dog.

This is inclusive of everything like medical cost or the cost of a lawsuit filed against you.

The limit of liability coverage for most of the renters insurance is $100,000. If you are thinking that itโ€™s more than enough then you need to think again because the cost of a lawsuit can go well beyond this and you will need to pay everything above this limit from your pocket.

Filing Renters Insurance Claim For A Dog Bite

Renters insurance dog bite claim is no different from any other liability claim.

If anyone is harmed by your dog, you should immediately notify your insurance company.

The action taken after that will depend on the suffering of the bitten person.

If the bitten person only suffered a minor injury that required only a quick treatment like a bandage, you might not need to file a claim.

However, if the injury of the person requires major treatment like surgery, you will likely need to file a liability claim.

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