Standard homeowners insurance policies cover pet damage to others' property under personal liability insurance. If you're held responsible after your pet causes an accident, personal liability coverage protects you from medical bills or property repair costs. Homeowners insurance can help pet owners avoid significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pet Damage?
Updated: August 5, 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.
Is Pet Damage Covered Under Homeowners Insurance?
When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pet Damage?
Your homeowners insurance may cover pet-related damage when your pet harms others or their property. Your policy's personal liability coverage can help if:
Your dog bites a guest in your home
If your dog bites a visitor while on your property, your policy’s liability coverage may help pay for medical expenses or legal costs.
Your dog bites someone off your property
If your dog bites someone at a park or on a walk, liability protection may still apply. This off-premises coverage can help with medical bills and potential lawsuits.
Your cat scratches a visitor, causing injury
If a guest requires medical attention due to a pet-related injury like a scratch or bite, your homeowners insurance may help cover the cost. This depends on your policy terms and whether the injury was accidental.
Your pet damages a neighbor’s property
If your pet ruins a neighbor’s garden or damages their furniture during a visit, your liability coverage might reimburse them for the loss.
HOME RUINED BY A FRIEND’S DOG? DON’T FILE WITH YOUR OWN INSURANCE YET
If someone else’s pet damages your property or injures you in your home, their homeowners or renters insurance may cover the cost under liability coverage, not your own policy. Your insurance usually won't pay for damage caused by a guest's pet, so you'll need to file a claim with their insurer instead.
If the pet owner doesn’t have homeowners or renters insurance, or refuses to take responsibility, you still have options:
- File a claim through your own homeowners insurance: Your policy may help cover the damage under the personal property or dwelling coverage sections, but you’ll have to pay your deductible and your premiums could increase.
- Pursue reimbursement directly: If the pet owner is unwilling to go through their insurance or doesn't have coverage, you can ask them to pay out of pocket. If they refuse, small claims court may be an option, depending on the damage amount.
- Document everything: Take photos of the damage, get written statements from witnesses (if any), and keep records of all communications. This strengthens your case whether you file with your insurer or take legal action.
When Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover Pet Damage?
Homeowners insurance generally does not cover damage your pet causes to your belongings or property. Insurers view this type of damage as preventable and part of pet ownership. Pet-related claims may also be denied in these situations:
Your pet damages your own property
Chewed furniture, scratched floors or torn carpet caused by your pet are typically not covered. These are considered maintenance issues, not sudden or accidental losses.
Your pet has a known history of aggression
If your dog or other pet has previously bitten someone or shown dangerous behavior, future incidents may not be covered. Insurers may classify the pet as high-risk and exclude it from liability protection.
Your pet is a restricted breed
Some insurance providers have breed restrictions and exclude coverage for certain types of dogs. If your pet falls under this list, claims related to them may be denied, regardless of their behavior.
You didn’t disclose your pet to your insurer
Failing to report pet ownership when applying for homeowners insurance can lead to denied claims. Insurers require accurate information to assess risk and determine what’s covered.
PET DAMAGE VS. PET LIABILITY: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
- Pet damage refers to damage your pet causes to your home or belongings, like scratched floors or chewed furniture. Homeowners insurance generally does not cover this type of damage.
- Pet liability refers to the injuries or losses your pet causes to others, which falls under personal liability coverage. This is the type of pet-related damage your homeowners insurance may cover, depending on the situation and your policy.
What Pets or Breeds Are Typically Excluded From Homeowners Insurance?
Homeowners insurance companies often restrict or exclude coverage for certain dog breeds and exotic animals due to perceived risk. These exclusions can impact your liability coverage if your pet causes injury or property damage.
Commonly Excluded Dog Breeds
- Pit Bull Terriers
- Rottweilers
- Doberman Pinschers
- German Shepherds
- Staffordshire Terriers
- Chow Chows
- Wolf Hybrids
Commonly Excluded Exotic Animals
- Monkeys or primates
- Large snakes (e.g., pythons, boa constrictors)
- Venomous reptiles
- Large lizards (e.g., iguanas, monitor lizards)
- Exotic big cats (e.g., servals, bobcats)
- Wild hybrids (e.g., wolf-dog, Savannah cats)
- Ferrets (varies by insurer)
Some insurers may not exclude a breed outright but will deny coverage if the dog has a known history of aggression or prior incidents. Even if an exotic pet is legally owned in your state, your insurer may not cover its liability.
Additional Insurance Coverage Options for Pet Owners
If your homeowners policy doesn’t offer sufficient protection, consider these alternatives to fill coverage gaps:
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 benefit pet owners with restricted breeds, exotic animals, or pets with a history of behavioral incidents. Comparing your options helps ensure you're not left vulnerable to uncovered losses.
Tips to Prevent Pet Damage Claims
Preventing pet damage can save you time and money while reducing stress. You can train your pet and learn how to manage your pet's emotions.
Avoid overwhelming your pet
Predicting how your pet will react to new visitors is difficult, so avoid having many guests at once.
Train your pet
Reward your pet for listening to your commands and behaving well around visitors.
Consult an animal care professional
An expert can provide deeper insight into your pet's behavior and help you manage its excitement or anxiety.
Homeowners Insurance Companies That Cover Pet Risks
Many cat and dog-friendly homeowners insurance companies are available, such as State Farm and Chubb. To get the best policy for you, shop around and compare premiums from different insurance providers.
MoneyGeek's nationwide data shows homeowners pay around $175 per month for homeowners insurance. The value of your home and the items you own affect 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 belongings, but it may protect you if it 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 compare quotes if you need broader protection.
Pet Damage and Homeowners Insurance: FAQ
Pet-related incidents under your policy aren't always clear. 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 property, such as furniture or flooring, is usually 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, 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, increasing 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.