Pet damage is covered by standard homeowners insurance policies under personal liability insurance. In the event you’re held responsible after your pet causes an accident, personal liability coverage protects you against costs for medical bills or property repairs. Thus, purchasing homeowners insurance can help pet owners save money.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pet Damage?
Updated: June 1, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Homeowners insurance generally does not cover damage your pet causes to your own belongings or home.
Personal liability coverage may apply if your pet damages someone else’s property or injures another person.
Breed restrictions and exclusions may limit coverage, especially for high-risk or exotic animals.
Are Pet Damage Covered Under Homeowners Insurance?
When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pet Damage?
Your homeowners insurance may cover pet-related damage in situations where your pet harms others or their property. Specifically, your policy’s personal liability coverage can help if:
- Your dog bites a guest or someone off your property
- Your cat scratches a visitor, leading to medical expenses
- Your pet damages a neighbor’s furniture or landscaping
This coverage usually applies both on and off your property, but it’s important to check your policy’s terms.
When Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover Pet Damage?
Most homeowners insurance policies exclude damage caused by your pet to your own home or possessions. That means you likely won’t be reimbursed for:
- Chewed furniture
- Scratched flooring or doors
- Damaged carpet or upholstery
Additionally, claims may be denied if:
- Your pet has a known history of aggression
- The breed is excluded from coverage
- You failed to disclose your pet to your insurer
PET DAMAGE VS. PET LIABILITY: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
- Pet damage typically refers to destruction your animal causes to property — often your own. These incidents are usually not covered.
- Pet liability, however, involves situations where your pet causes harm or loss to others, which is usually covered under your homeowners insurance liability protection.
Understanding this distinction is key to knowing when you're protected and when you're not.
What Pets or Breeds Excluded in Coverage?
Yes. Insurance providers often maintain a list of restricted pets or breeds they consider high-risk. These may include:
- Pit bulls
- Rottweilers
- Dobermans
- Exotic pets like snakes or monkeys
If your pet falls into one of these categories, coverage could be reduced or denied entirely. Be transparent with your insurer to avoid surprises during a claim.
Additional Insurance Coverage Options for Pet Owners
If your homeowners policy doesn’t offer sufficient protection, consider these alternatives to fill in the gaps and better safeguard your financial well-being:
Umbrella Insurance
Provides additional liability coverage beyond your home policy, which can be helpful for costly pet-related claims.
Pet Liability Insurance
A standalone policy that specifically covers damage or injury caused by your pet, especially if your pet is excluded from standard policies.
Renter’s Insurance
Offers similar liability protections for tenants who own pets and can help cover personal property and third-party damages.
These policies may be especially useful for pet owners with restricted breeds, exotic animals, or pets with a history of behavioral incidents. Evaluating your options ensures you’re not left vulnerable to uncovered losses.
Tips to Prevent Pet Damage Claims
Homeowners insurance provides financial security to its policyholders. However, preventing pet damage can save you time and money while mitigating unwanted stress. For example, you can train your pet and learn how to manage your furry friend’s emotions.
Avoid overwhelming your pet
It’s difficult to gauge how your pet will react to new visitors. Thus, it’s best not to overwhelm them with many guests at once.
Train your pet
You can reward your pet for listening to your commands and keeping up good behavior around visitors.
Consult an animal care professional
Consulting an expert can give you a deeper insight into your furry friend’s behavior and how to manage their excitement or anxiety.
Homeowners Insurance Companies That Cover Pet Risks
There are a range of cat and dog-friendly homeowners insurance companies, such as State Farm or Chubb. To get the best policy for you, shop around and compare premiums from different insurance providers.
MoneyGeek’s nationwide data shows that homeowners pay around $175 per month for homeowners insurance. However, the value of your home and the items you own influences your actual rate.
You can use MoneyGeek’s personal property calculator below to get an estimate.
Personal Property Coverage Calculator
When figuring out how much renters insurance you need, experts recommend the standard $100,000 in liability insurance and enough personal property protection to cover your possessions. Use MoneyGeek's calculator to estimate the value of your possessions so you know how much personal property coverage to buy.
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Pet Liability Insurance for Homeowners: Bottom Line
Homeowners insurance typically won’t cover damage your pet causes to your own belongings, but it may protect you if your pet harms someone else or their property. Knowing where your coverage begins and ends — and supplementing it if necessary — is key to avoiding unexpected out-of-pocket costs. Always review your policy details and consider comparing quotes if you need broader protection.
Pet Damage and Homeowners Insurance: FAQ
It’s not always clear how pet-related incidents are treated under your policy. These common questions can help clarify when you’re protected and when you may need extra coverage.
Does homeowners insurance cover pet damage to my own home?
No. Damage your pet causes to your own property, such as furniture or flooring, is typically excluded.
What pets are excluded from homeowners coverage?
Insurers often exclude certain dog breeds or exotic animals. Always check your policy’s exclusions.
Can I increase coverage for pet liability?
Yes. You can often raise your liability limits or add umbrella or pet liability coverage.
Is a dog bite covered under my homeowners insurance?
Yes, usually — if it involves someone outside your household and your dog isn’t excluded by breed or history.
Do I need pet liability insurance if I already have homeowners insurance?
If your pet is considered high-risk or excluded from your standard policy, a separate liability policy may be wise.
Coverage for Pet Damage Under Homeowners Insurance: Our Review Methodology
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 aim to give a reliable estimate of what homeowners can expect to pay — showing why it’s important to compare rates.
Homeowner Profile
For our analysis, we created a sample homeowner profile with the following characteristics:
- Good credit score (769–792)
- Home constructed in 2000
- Wood-frame construction
- Composite shingle roof
Homeowners Insurance Coverage Details
Unless otherwise specified, we used the following coverage limits to collect quotes for our comparison:
- $250,000 in dwelling coverage
- $125,000 in personal property coverage
- $200,000 in personal liability coverage
- $1,000 deductible
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.
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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.