In most instances, an animal owner's homeowner's insurance policy will cover liability arising from dog bites (and injuries caused by other common household pets) that occur on the owner's property or while the dog is under the owners control. The average amount of liability coverage in homeowner's policies is between $100,000 and $300,000.
Animal InsuranceThere are also specialty insurance companies that provide insurance for pet owners. Many homeowner insurance companies refuse to cover dog bites after one incident. As a result, a pet owner often has no choice but to look for coverage from an insurance company that specializes in animal coverage.
No InsuranceIf an animal owner does not have insurance that covers animal bites, you are still entitled to bring a legal claim against the owner of the animal to recover your damages. If you feel reluctant to bring such a claim, keep in mind that if the person responsible for your injury does not pay your medical bills and compensate you for your lost income, which could be significant, you will bear these losses on your own.
ConclusionIn many cases, animal owners have one or more types of insurance that will cover animal bites, enabling an injured person to receive just compensation for his or her injuries, without causing the animal owner financial hardship. If you have questions about who will pay for your injury, consult a qualified lawyer for additional information.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite or other animal related injury, please contact Carabin Shaw today. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingent fee basis, which means that there is never a fee unless we successfully resolve your case.
For immediate assistance, call us toll-free at 800-862-1260.