It’s hard to put into words just how valuable dogs are to human wellness.
Among the benefits of owning a dog: They combat loneliness, encourage happiness, reduce stress, support good health, boost exercise and lower blood pressure. Dogs are even more indispensable to vulnerable human populations such as seniors, veterans and people living with one or more disabilities.
However, a stressed, neglected or sick dog can be dangerous, and dog bites have far-reaching repercussions beyond the initial event.
In 2023, the most recent year for which there is complete data, there were just over 19,000 dog bite claims in the U.S., with an average cost per claim of $58,545 and a total claim value of $1.1 billion, according to the Triple-I and State Farm.
Most homeowners and renters insurance policies cover costs associated with dog-bite liability, up to each policy’s liability limit. Dog owners will incur any expense exceeding that limit. And the involvement of local law enforcement can make a dog-bite case even more complicated.
In follows that some insurers take steps to limit dog-bite liability exposures by refusing to cover certain breeds or inquiring about a dog’s history before agreeing to policy terms. Others may request that policyholders sign a liability waiver for their dog, particularly if that animal has a bite history.
State- and municipal-level legislation also comes into play. The Triple-I reports that dog owners are personally responsible for any injuries caused by their animal in more than two dozen U.S. states. Some states also press criminal charges against dog owners whose animals cause bite injuries.
The slideshow above illustrates the states where dog-bite claims were most common in 2023 as reported by the Triple-I and State Farm.
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Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.