Your dog gets attacked at the park and needs emergency surgery, stitches and follow-up care that costs thousands of dollars. If you have pet insurance, it covers these dog bite injuries after you pay the vet bill upfront and file a claim. Coverage kicks in once your policy’s waiting period ends, usually reimbursing 60% to 90% of eligible treatment costs minus your deductible.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Bites?
Updated: September 23, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Pet insurance usually reimburses 60% to 90% of eligible costs for dog bite treatments when the accident happens after the waiting period.
AKC, Liberty Mutual and Spot provide dog bite coverage in their standard accident-only and accident and illness plans.
Whether you need dog bite coverage depends on your pet’s size and temperament, as well as your location and financial situation.
How Does Pet Insurance Work for Dog Bites?
PET INSURANCE VS. PET LIABILITY INSURANCE
Pet insurance covers veterinary bills when your dog is injured by another dog, while pet liability insurance covers damages when your dog bites someone else. Think of pet insurance as health coverage for your pet and liability insurance as protection from lawsuits if your dog causes harm.
What Covers Dog Bites?
Dog bite coverage depends on which type of pet insurance policy you choose.
Accident-only plans
These policies cover dog bite injuries since attacks are considered accidents rather than illnesses, with coverage starting after the waiting period. You'll get reimbursement for emergency treatment, surgery and immediate care costs.
Accident and illness policies
These comprehensive plans cover both the initial dog bite injury and any resulting health problems that develop afterward, provided the attack happened after the waiting period. Coverage includes infections, complications or other medical issues that stem from the original bite incident.
Who Has Dog Bite Coverage?
Most pet insurance companies cover dog bite injuries through their standard plans after the waiting period for accident coverage ends.
AKC | Yes | Yes |
ASPCA | Yes | Yes |
Embrace | Yes | Yes |
Fetch | No accident-only plan offered | Yes |
Figo | No accident-only plan offered | Yes |
Healthy Paws | No accident-only plan offered | Yes |
Lemonade | No accident-only plan offered | Yes |
Liberty Mutual | Yes | Yes |
MetLife | No accident-only plan offered | Yes |
Nationwide | Yes | Yes |
Pets Best | Yes | Yes |
Prudent Pet | Yes | Yes |
Pumpkin | No accident-only plan offered | Yes |
Rainwalk | No accident-only plan offered | Yes |
Spot | Yes | Yes |
Trupanion | No accident-only plan offered | Yes |
Wagmo | No accident-only plan offered | Yes |
Coverage varies by state and policy terms. Always review your specific policy documents and consult with your insurance provider to understand exact coverage terms, exclusions and limitations.
Do You Need Dog Bite Coverage?
Whether you actually need pet insurance with dog bite coverage depends on several key factors about your pet and lifestyle.
- 1
Your dog’s size and temperament
Smaller dogs face higher risks from attacks by larger dogs, often resulting in more severe injuries that require expensive emergency care. That said, even gentle, well-socialized dogs can be victims of unprovoked attacks from other animals.
- 2
Your dog’s age and health
Puppies and senior dogs are more vulnerable to serious complications from bite injuries due to weaker immune systems. Older dogs may have slower recovery periods and require extended care. Dogs already managing health issues are especially prone to developing secondary infections or other complications that turn a simple bite into a costly medical situation.
- 3
Your location
Urban areas with dog parks, busy sidewalks and apartment complexes create more opportunities for dog-on-dog encounters. High-traffic locations also increase the likelihood of stressful situations that can trigger aggressive behavior in other animals.
- 4
Your financial situation
Wound treatment for bites costs an average of $570 for dogs, as per CareCredit’s 2024 study, but your actual bill depends on how severe the injuries are and whether complications develop. Pet insurance provides financial protection by reimbursing 60% to 90% of eligible costs minus your deductible, so you can focus on your dog's recovery rather than worrying about managing your finances.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Bites?: Bottom Line
Pet insurance covers dog bites through standard plans, providing valuable financial protection when your pet becomes a victim of an attack. Companies like AKC, Liberty Mutual and Spot include this benefit in their accident-only and accident and illness plans, reimbursing eligible treatment costs after waiting periods. Deciding whether you need pet insurance that covers dog bites should depend on your pet's vulnerability, local risks and budget for emergency veterinary expenses.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Bites?: FAQ
We’ve addressed frequently asked questions about pet insurance with dog bite coverage:
Does pet insurance cover when my dog gets bitten by another dog?
Pet insurance covers dog bite wounds when your pet is the victim of an attack. Coverage kicks in after your policy's waiting period ends, typically reimbursing 60% to 90% of eligible treatment costs minus your deductible. You'll need to pay the vet bill initially and file a claim for reimbursement.
What's the difference between accident-only and accident and illness plans for dog bite coverage?
Accident-only plans cover the initial dog bite injury and immediate treatment costs like emergency surgery and stitches. Accident and illness policies provide more comprehensive coverage, including both the initial bite injury and any resulting complications like infections or other medical issues that develop afterward.
How long is the waiting period for dog bite coverage?
Dog bite coverage begins after your policy's accident waiting period ends, since attacks are classified as accidents rather than illnesses. Waiting periods vary by insurer but are generally shorter for accidents than illnesses. Review your specific policy terms to understand exact waiting period terms.
Do I need dog bite coverage if my dog is small and friendly?
Smaller dogs face higher risks from attacks by larger dogs, often resulting in more severe injuries requiring expensive emergency care. Even the friendliest, best-behaved dogs can get attacked without warning by aggressive animals. A gentle personality won't shield your dog from another animal's bad behavior, so insurance helps no matter how sweet your pet is.
Is dog bite coverage the same as pet liability insurance?
Pet insurance covers veterinary bills when your dog is injured by another animal. Pet liability insurance covers damages when your dog bites someone else, protecting you from lawsuits if your dog causes harm.
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.
sources
- CareCredit. "Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs." Accessed September 23, 2025.