Being a pet owner can be costly. One expense many pet owners may not realize is that certain dog breeds may cause their Homeowners Insurance rates to go up. Some breeds are considered dangerous due to their history of biting or attacking people.
Based on statistics from the Insurance Information Institute, 90 million dogs are a part of American households. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are also around 4.5 million dog bite cases each year. More than half of all dog bites occur with a dog that the victim is familiar with.
Based on these statistics and the dog breed you own; it may be challenging to find Liability Insurance coverage that can cover a potential dog bite claim. Breeds such as Rottweilers, Huskies, Pit Bulls, and Boxers are often grouped into aggressive canines, and thus may cost more.
Will My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Dog Bites?
Yes. Most policies will protect you from dog biting claims. This includes a scenario where your dog bites someone at a nearby park, or where another dog not belonging to you bites an individual on your property.
Why Cloquet & Duluth, MN Residents Choose Great Lakes Insurance
The agents here at Great Lakes Insurance can help determine if you have the right amount of coverage to help protect you against the unexpected. Nothing stays the same. With the cost of building materials up in recent years, the cost to fully repair or replace your home following a fire or natural disaster needs to be calculated correctly. If you don’t have the right amount of coverage, you could end up having to pay for repairs out of pocket.
Our agents can calculate the cost of repairing your home using tools such as a cost estimator. Having the right amount of coverage will ensure you don’t fall short in case of a partial or total loss to your home.
In addition, many policies have an automatic increase in Homeowners Insurance coverage each renewal year, thus increasing the policy’s cost. That is often called a cost of living adjustment endorsement or inflation guard endorsement. Keep in mind that increasing this coverage can also have an impact on other areas of your policy.
Final Thoughts
No matter how confident you may be, your pet would never harm a fly; it is always best to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. It is especially true if you own a dog that is considered aggressive. Having the right amount of Homeowners Insurance can protect you from paying out of pocket for dog bite claims.
To learn more about dog bite claims and Homeowners Insurance, contact Great Lakes Insurance at (218) 491-6488. Our licensed professionals will be happy to answer any questions you have.
