Updated: December 2, 2025
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Homeowners insurance covers dog bite incidents through personal liability coverage, paying for medical expenses and legal fees if your dog injures someone.
Dog bites may not be covered if the dog has a history of aggression or is a restricted breed, such as pit bulls, Rottweilers or Doberman pinschers.
Training your dog and getting them used to socialization can go a long way toward preventing dog bites.
Homeowners insurance covers dog bites that cause injury or property damage under personal liability. This coverage pays for medical expenses, legal defense fees and potential settlements if someone sues you after your dog bites them.
But insurers deny coverage if your dog is a restricted breed or has a documented history of aggression, or if you failed to disclose pet ownership when applying for your policy.
Standard home insurance policies include $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage, but dog bite claims averaging $69,272 can quickly exhaust lower limits.
Most insurance experts recommend at least $300,000 in personal liability coverage if you own a dog. You can increase this limit or add an umbrella policy for additional protection beyond your base homeowners coverage. Umbrella policies start at $1 million and cover claims that exceed your homeowners liability limits.
Not every dog bite claim gets accepted. Coverage depends on the details of the incident and your insurer's guidelines. Here's what home insurance covers when it comes to dogs:
Homeowners insurance covers dog bites whether they occur on your property or elsewhere, such as a park, sidewalk or someone else's home. However, insurers still evaluate factors like leash use, provocation and whether the dog was under your control.
Homeowners insurance applies only if your dog bites someone outside your household. Injuries to you or members of your household aren't covered under liability protection. Medical payments coverage, if included in your policy, helps cover minor medical bills for injured guests, but it does not pay for injuries to you or your household members caused by your dog.
If your dog has no past incidents or official designation as "dangerous," your claim will likely be approved. Insurers view a clean behavioral history as a sign of lower risk.
Insurers deny dog bite claims under specific circumstances. Exclusions depend on your dog's breed, behavioral history and whether you disclosed pet ownership. These five scenarios can disqualify your claim:
Many insurers have breed-specific exclusions that deny coverage for bites from certain dog types, regardless of temperament. Commonly excluded breeds include pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers. These restrictions vary by insurer, so confirm whether your dog’s breed is covered under your policy.
If your dog has previously bitten someone or been labeled "dangerous" by local authorities, insurers exclude future incidents from coverage. Even one documented case of aggression can be enough to trigger denial. Some companies impose higher premiums or stricter conditions instead of excluding coverage entirely.
Failing to inform your insurer that you own a dog can invalidate your coverage if a bite occurs. Undisclosed pets get treated as a material misrepresentation on your policy application. This omission leads to a denied claim, even if your dog would otherwise qualify for coverage.
Dog bites that happen in excluded locations or during uncovered activities aren't eligible for reimbursement. Some policies limit liability to your primary residence or within U.S. borders. Others deny claims linked to business use, such as a bite occurring at a dog-walking gig or pet-sitting job.
Restrictions vary by company, but the following breeds are commonly excluded by homeowners insurance providers:
If you own one of these breeds, contact your insurer to confirm your coverage. You might need extra liability protection or a policy that reviews your dog's individual behavior rather than breed alone.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bite claims have become much more expensive over the past decade, with the average cost per claim rising by nearly 86% from $37,214 in 2015 to $69,272 in 2024. While the number of claims has increased steadily, the sharpest cost jumps have occurred since 2020, suggesting higher medical expenses, legal fees or larger settlements. In 2024 alone, insurers paid out $1.57 billion in total, the highest on record.
2024 | $1,569.6 | 22,658 | $69,272 |
2023 | $1,116.0 | 19,062 | $58,545 |
2022 | $1,136.0 | 17,597 | $64,555 |
2021 | $881.9 | 17,989 | $49,025 |
2020 | $853.7 | 17,597 | $50,245 |
2019 | $796.8 | 17,802 | $44,760 |
2018 | $674.9 | 17,297 | $39,017 |
2017 | $686.3 | 18,522 | $37,051 |
2016 | $602.2 | 18,123 | $33,230 |
2015 | $571.3 | 15,352 | $37,214 |
Source: Insurance Information Institute
Dog bite claim costs vary significantly by state due to differences in medical expenses, legal fees and liability laws. California leads with the highest total payout at $208 million across 2,417 claims in 2024. New York had fewer claims but the highest average cost per claim at $110,488, reflecting the state's expensive legal environment and higher settlement amounts.
1 | California | 2,417 | $86,229 | $208.4 |
2 | Florida | 1,821 | $55,680 | $101.4 |
3 | Texas | 1,190 | $75,674 | $90.1 |
4 | Michigan | 1,138 | $63,656 | $72.4 |
5 | Pennsylvania | 1,004 | $88,668 | $89.0 |
6 | New York | 994 | $110,488 | $109.8 |
7 | Ohio | 985 | $44,885 | $44.2 |
8 | Illinois | 940 | $64,941 | $61.0 |
9 | New Jersey | 782 | $72,375 | $56.6 |
10 | Georgia | 671 | $46,724 | $31.4 |
Source: Insurance Information Institute
A dog bite claim can increase your homeowners insurance premiums or lead to policy cancellation. Insurers review claims history during renewal, and a single dog bite incident signals higher risk.
Premium increases vary by insurer and claim severity. Minor claims may raise rates by 10% to 20%, while serious incidents involving hospitalization or lawsuits can double your premiums. Some insurers drop coverage entirely after a dog bite claim, forcing you to find a new policy at higher rates.
Quick action protects the injured person and your financial interests. Follow these steps to handle the situation properly and help your insurance claim go smoothly:
Prioritize the well-being of the person bitten. Even minor bites can lead to infections or complications. If the injury is severe, call emergency services immediately. Offer assistance and show concern; how you respond influences the outcome of any future claim or lawsuit.
If the injured person doesn’t live in your household, share your contact information and your homeowners insurance details. Stay calm, be polite and cooperate without admitting fault.
The best home insurance providers have 24/7 support. Once you're settled, contact your insurer immediately. Your insurer will assign a claims adjuster to your case. Be ready to explain where and when it happened, how it occurred and whether your dog has bitten before.
Take photos of injuries, the scene and your dog. Write down what happened and collect witness contact information. This documentation helps if liability or damages are disputed later.
You might need to report the incident to animal control depending on local laws. Work with your insurer and authorities while keeping records of all communications.
After you report a dog bite to your insurer, a claims adjuster contacts you within 24 to 48 hours to investigate the incident. The adjuster reviews your policy, requests veterinary records and photos, then determines whether coverage applies. If covered, your insurer negotiates settlements with the injured party, which can take weeks to months depending on injury severity.
If the injured party sues you, your insurer provides legal defense under your liability coverage, assigns an attorney and pays court costs up to your policy limits. Document all communications and keep copies of every form related to your claim.
Dog owners are typically held responsible when their pet bites someone, especially in unprovoked attacks. Liability laws vary by state and fall into two categories: strict liability and negligence-based liability.
Your homeowners insurance responds according to your state's liability framework, but coverage exclusions can still apply even when state law holds you liable.
Even if homeowners insurance usually covers dog bites, specific reasons exist for claim rejection. Understanding these common exclusions helps you avoid surprises if you ever need to file.
Preventing dog bites protects others and your insurance coverage. Even well-trained dogs can bite when stressed, scared or provoked. Reduce bite risk and help you maintain insurability by following MoneyGeek's tips below:
Use positive reinforcement to teach basic commands and reinforce good behavior in different environments. Well-trained dogs are easier to manage and less likely to act out unexpectedly.
Introduce your dog to different settings, sounds and individuals from a young age. Proper socialization helps reduce fear-based aggression and builds confidence.
Watch your dog when they’re around new people, children or other animals. Staying nearby lets you notice any signs of stress or unease early and step in before things escalate.
Using a leash keeps your dog under control and shows others that you’re being a responsible owner. Even well-behaved dogs can get startled or act differently in crowded or unfamiliar places, so it’s best to keep them close when you’re out.
Pay attention to triggers like loud noises, food guarding or invasive handling. Recognizing and avoiding high-stress scenarios prevents a bite before it happens.
Pain or illness makes dogs more irritable or reactive. Schedule regular vet checkups to keep your pet healthy and comfortable.
If your dog has shown signs of aggression, using a muzzle in public offers an added layer of safety. It also demonstrates that you're taking steps to prevent harm.
Most homeowners insurance policies include personal liability coverage for dog bite claims, but insurers exclude certain breeds and dogs with aggression histories.
The details often depend on where the bite happened and who was involved. With claim payouts topping $1.5 billion in 2024, it’s worth reviewing your policy to see if any breed or behavior restrictions apply.
Have questions about how dog bites affect your homeowners insurance? These FAQs break down what’s covered, what’s not and what to do if an incident occurs.
Yes, your homeowners insurance's personal liability coverage extends beyond your home. If your dog bites someone at a park or someone else's house, your policy provides coverage unless breed or incident exclusions apply.
Some insurers exclude certain breeds they consider high-risk from coverage. Check your policy or ask your provider about any breed restrictions that might affect your coverage.
Make sure the victim gets medical attention immediately, then report the incident to your insurance company and cooperate with their investigation. Document everything about the event and consider consulting a lawyer if the situation becomes complicated.
Finding coverage is challenging but possible. Some insurers offer policies that evaluate your dog's individual behavior rather than applying blanket exclusions. Specialized pet liability insurance provides stand-alone coverage when homeowners insurers deny protection. Expect higher premiums and stricter conditions with any policy that covers dogs with bite histories.
Yes, report dog bites to your insurance provider immediately, even if the injury seems minor or no one has filed a claim yet. Quick reporting lets your insurer start the claims process, protect your liability and guide you through next steps.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
