subject: Insurance To Cover Canine Catastrophes [print this page] Owning a dog requires a great deal of responsibility that far exceeds grooming, flea treatments, trips to the vet, and scooping poop. Dog bite claims are on the rise, much to the dismay of dog lovers-many of whom are finding that their homeowners and renters policies do not include dog bite insurance, or the policies may exclude the breed that the family wants to own. What are some of the reasons for the declining coverage? Consider the alarming evidence:
Claims for dog bites jumped a whopping 54.3% in the eight-year period from 2003-2011, according to the Insurance Information Institute
The number and amount of legal claims are also growing in number, with jury awards and high-dollar settlements becoming more frequent
Nearly five million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S. alone, with claims totaling more than $400 million in medical and liability costs
More than one third of homeowners insurance liability claims in 2011 stemmed from dog bites
Hope is on the horizon
The good news is that a new coverage is available for protection from this type of liability. By going online to dogbitequote.com, dog owners can access an application and get a policy that is rated according to the breed of their dog, its weight, and size. Other questions on the application will help determine whether other risk factors exist, such as if children live in the home with the dog, or whether the home has a fenced yard. As part of the application process, applicants must also upload a photo of their cherished canine. The coverage does not seek to exclude any particular breed of dog, although some exclusions may apply (for example, a dog that has not been well socialized, which could increase the likelihood of biting incidents).
For more guidance on this matter, it's wise to consult a professional insurance agent. The agent can review all the existing types of coverage to determine whether one has any coverage from this type of liability through a homeowners, renters, or umbrella policy. This can give applicants important information that can help them determine not only if but how much in dog bite insurance they may have, and even if they do have some coverage, whether it would be prudent to obtain more protection from this new online source (which is currently available only in Florida). Talk to a professional insurance agent today, because it's never too soon to limit one's financial risk from every avenue, including the one that leads straight to the family dog.
by: John F Stewart
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