Updated: September 11, 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.
Dog bites that cause injury or property damage are covered by homeowners insurance under personal liability. This coverage pays for medical expenses, legal defense fees and potential settlements if someone sues you after your dog bites them.
However, insurers may 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.
Not every dog bite claim is automatically accepted. Coverage depends on the details of the incident and your insurer's guidelines. Here are common scenarios where coverage applies, assuming your policy includes dog-related liability:
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 may 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 are not covered under liability protection. Medical payments coverage, if included in your policy, may help 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 is more likely to be approved. Insurers view a clean behavioral history as a sign of lower risk.
Certain scenarios can disqualify a dog bite claim. Exclusions vary by insurer and are often tied to breed restrictions, prior behavior or how the incident was reported. Understanding these scenarios helps you avoid gaps in protection:
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 may exclude future incidents from coverage. Even one documented case of aggression can be enough to trigger denial. Some companies may 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 may be treated as a material misrepresentation on your policy application. This omission could lead to a denied claim, even if your dog would otherwise qualify for coverage.
Dog bites that happen in excluded locations or during uncovered activities may not be eligible for reimbursement. Some policies limit liability to your primary residence or within U.S. borders. Others may 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 may 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 don’t just depend on the incident; they also vary by where it happens. In 2024, California reported the highest number of claims and total payout, with over $208 million paid across 2,417 incidents. New York, on the other hand, had fewer claims but the highest average cost per claim at $110,488, showing that legal and medical costs can be much higher in certain states.
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
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 right away. Offer assistance and show concern; how you respond can influence the outcome of any future claim or lawsuit.
If the injured person is not a household member, provide your contact information and your homeowner’s insurance details. Avoid admitting fault, but remain courteous and cooperative.
Contact your insurer immediately. Your insurer may 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 may need to report the incident to animal control depending on local laws. Work with your insurer and authorities while keeping records of all communications.
Yes, dog owners are legally liable if their dog bites someone, especially if the bite wasn’t provoked. Laws related to dog bite liability vary by state. Some hold owners strictly liable for injuries, while others consider factors like provocation or the dog’s history, but ultimately, the responsibility often falls on the owner to control their pet and prevent harm.
Because laws and insurance requirements differ by location, understand how your policy handles dog-related incidents and speak with your insurer about any breed restrictions or coverage limitations that may apply.
Even if homeowners insurance usually covers dog bites, there are specific reasons your claim might be rejected. Understanding these common exclusions can help you avoid surprises if you ever need to file.
Preventing dog bites starts with responsible pet ownership and awareness of your dog’s behavior in different situations. Even well-behaved dogs can react unpredictably when stressed, scared or provoked. Taking the right precautions can help protect others and reduce the risk of costly insurance claims.
Use positive reinforcement to teach basic commands and reinforce good behavior in various 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.
Keep a close eye on your dog around unfamiliar people, children or other pets. Supervision helps you step in early if your dog shows signs of discomfort or stress.
Keeping your dog leashed gives you better control and shows others you’re acting responsibly. Even friendly dogs can be unpredictable in unfamiliar or high-energy settings.
Pay attention to triggers like loud noises, food guarding or invasive handling. Recognizing and avoiding high-stress scenarios can help prevent a bite before it happens.
Pain or illness can make 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 may offer an added layer of safety. It also demonstrates that you’re taking steps to prevent harm.
Homeowners insurance covers dog bites under personal liability, but exclusions may apply for certain breeds or dogs with a history of aggression. Coverage also depends on whether the bite involved someone outside your household and where the incident occurred.
Because claim costs are rising, with payouts reaching over $1.5 billion in 2024, review your policy and understand any breed or behavior-related restrictions.
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 there are breed or incident exclusions. Check your policy's off-premises liability terms to confirm.
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.
It may be challenging, but some insurers offer policies or endorsements that cover dogs with prior incidents. You might also consider specialized pet liability insurance for broader protection.
A dog bite claim stays on your insurance record for up to five years, depending on your insurer. During that time, it can affect your premiums or coverage eligibility. Your insurer might exclude the dog from future coverage or refuse to renew your policy based on how severe the incident was.
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.
MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from multiple insurance providers across the U.S. using a profile that reflects the average homeowner. By considering different locations and companies, we provide a reliable estimate of what homeowners can expect to pay, showing why comparing rates is valuable.
Homeowner Profile
For our analysis, we created a sample homeowner profile with the following characteristics:
Homeowners Insurance Coverage Details
Unless otherwise specified, we used the following coverage limits to collect quotes for our comparison:
We also compiled data for policies with broader coverage to determine the best companies for insuring expensive homes, upping limits to $1 million in dwelling coverage, $500,000 in personal property coverage and $1 million in liability coverage.
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!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
