Updated: May 29, 2025
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Standard homeowners insurance may exclude dog-related incidents, especially if your dog is a restricted breed or has a history of aggression.
Dog liability insurance can cover medical bills, lawsuits and property damage caused by your dog, even if the incident happens off your property.
Some insurers like State Farm and USAA offer pet-friendly policies that focus on behavior rather than breed, offering broader eligibility for dog owners.
Adding dog liability insurance to your homeowners policy protects you from pet-related claims. Dogs can bite or cause property damage unexpectedly, and this coverage helps pay for medical bills and legal costs if your dog injures someone or damages their property.
Covers dog-related incidents not included in standard homeowners insurance.
Helps with legal fees and medical expenses in case of injuries or damage to property caused by your dog.
Offers specialized coverage for high-risk breeds or dogs with a bite history.
Dog liability insurance is a smart addition if:
Dog liability insurance ensures broader protection than standard homeowners insurance, including coverage for medical bills, lawsuits and property damage.
Dog liability insurance covers costs when your dog injures someone or damages property. This coverage pays for damages or injuries your pet causes to others or their belongings.
If your dog bites a neighbor or damages someone's property, this insurance covers the costs. You can add it to your homeowners policy or buy it as a standalone policy. Coverage includes:
Homeowners insurance covers dog liabilities, protecting you financially when your pet harms others. Your liability coverage includes:
Homeowners insurance doesn't cover all dog-related incidents. These exclusions create gaps that dog liability insurance fills. Homeowners insurance won't cover:
Dog liability insurance covers these scenarios that standard homeowners policies exclude.
Some insurers maintain a list of restricted breeds, which may include:
These lists are based on claims history and perceived risk, not individual dog behavior. If your dog is on this list, you may face:
Even well-trained dogs can be impacted by these blanket policies. In such cases, dog liability insurance offers a solution by:
Some homeowners insurance companies work better for dog owners than others. Allstate, State Farm and USAA offer dog-friendly policies that don't automatically exclude certain breeds or charge excessive premiums for pet ownership.
Allstate evaluates your dog's behavior and bite history rather than automatically excluding breeds. The company focuses on individual dogs' track records when determining coverage.
State Farm considers your dog's temperament and behavior instead of breed restrictions. This approach means well-behaved dogs of any breed can qualify for standard coverage.
USAA serves military personnel and their families without breed restrictions. The company covers dog-related incidents regardless of your pet's breed, making it accessible for military families with any type of dog.
The cost of dog liability insurance premiums vary based on several factors, including:
Most dog liability insurance policies cost between $100 and $1,000 annually. However, if your dog is classified as high-risk or has a past incident, you may be quoted at the higher end of the range or require a specialized insurer.
Homeowners insurance doesn't always fully cover dog-related incidents, especially if your dog has a history of aggression or belongs to a restricted breed.
Dog liability insurance fills those gaps, offering broader protection for legal claims, medical bills, and property damage caused by your pet. This additional coverage protects you from potentially expensive lawsuits and medical costs that standard homeowners policies might exclude.
Pet liability insurance and homeowners coverage for dog incidents raise many questions. Here are answers to common questions about coverage limits, exclusions and when you might need additional protection.
Pet liability coverage protects pet owners from financial costs when their pet injures someone or damages property. This coverage pays for legal expenses, medical bills and damages from pet-related incidents.
Yes, umbrella insurance covers dog bites and other pet incidents. This insurance provides additional liability coverage beyond your homeowners or renters policy, protecting you from expensive claims or lawsuits.
Yes, if you own a pet that could injure someone or damage property. Pet liability insurance protects you from expensive medical bills, legal costs and property damage claims that standard homeowners insurance might not fully cover.
Dog owners are typically liable when their dog bites someone. You're responsible for injuries and damages your dog causes. Liability laws vary by state, so check your local regulations and ensure you have adequate insurance coverage.
Dog insurance protects you from expensive costs when your pet causes problems. It covers medical bills for injuries your dog causes, legal expenses from lawsuits and property damage claims. Without coverage, you'll pay these costs out of pocket.
MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from multiple insurance providers across the U.S. using a standard homeowner profile. We collected quotes from different locations and companies to show typical homeowner costs and rate variations between insurers.
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, increasing 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.
