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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.

You don’t need to worry about getting extra coverage for pet damage since most homeowners insurance policies already cover it.

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When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pet Damage?

If your pet damages a third party’s personal items, your homeowners insurance will cover you under its personal liability coverage. The list below cites instances when pet damages may be covered by your home insurance policy:

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  • Your cat tears your friend’s sweater
  • Your dog chews on your visitor’s backpack
  • Your cat scratches through your visitor’s purse

There are limits to homeowners insurance. Keep in mind that pet insurance, not homeowners insurance, will cover expenses for your pet’s medical care. Read through your homeowners insurance policy to know when you’re covered (or not).

When Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover Pet Damage?

Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damages that your pet causes to your furniture, home or personal property. This is because it’s more challenging to prove that the damage caused to your property was unintentional.

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How to Prevent Pet Damage

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.

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    Train your pet

    You can reward your pet for listening to your commands and keeping up good behavior around visitors.

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    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.

Where to Buy Homeowners Insurance

You can get homeowners insurance from companies like State Farm or Hippo. 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.

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About Mark Fitzpatrick

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Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark earned a master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.