If your dog is attacked at the park and needs surgery, stitches, and follow-up care, the costs can add up fast. Pet insurance can help by covering part of those expenses once you’ve paid upfront and submitted a claim. After the waiting period, most plans reimburse 60% to 90% of eligible costs, minus your deductible.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Bites?
Updated: December 29, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Standard pet insurance coverage includes dog bite treatments if 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 helps pay your vet bills if your dog is injured by another dog. Pet liability insurance, on the other hand, covers costs if your dog bites someone or damages property. You can think of pet insurance as health coverage for your pet and liability insurance as protection against potential claims.
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?
Many pet insurance companies include dog bite coverage in their standard plans once the accident waiting period is over.
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Coverage varies depending on your state and policy. Review your plan details and talk to your insurer to understand the terms, exclusions, and limitations.
Compare the top pet insurance companies with dog bite coverage to determine the best option for your pet:
Do You Need Dog Bite Coverage?
Deciding if you need to get pet insurance with dog bite coverage depends on your pet’s behavior, environment and lifestyle.
- 1Your dog’s size and temperament
Smaller dogs are at higher risk of being injured in attacks by larger dogs, which often lead to costly emergency care. That said, even gentle, well-socialized dogs can be victims of unprovoked attacks from other animals.
- 2Your 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.
- 3Your 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.
- 4Your financial situation
According to CareCredit's 2024 study, wound treatment for bites costs an average of $570 for dogs, though individual costs vary widely based on injury severity, location and veterinary provider.
Pet insurance is worth it as it reimburses 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 often covers dog bite injuries through standard plans, helping with costs if your pet is attacked. Companies such as AKC, Liberty Mutual, and Spot include this coverage in both accident-only and accident-and-illness plans, reimbursing eligible expenses after the waiting period.
Before getting the best pet insurance with dog bite coverage, consider your pet’s risk level, where you live and how much you can set aside for emergency vet bills.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Bites?: FAQ
Here are a few questions pet owners often ask about dog bite coverage in pet insurance.
Does pet insurance cover when my dog gets bitten by another dog?
Pet insurance may cover dog bite injuries if your pet is attacked. This comes standard in most plans so you won't need optional add-ons that increase pet insurance costs.
Once the policy’s waiting period ends, most plans reimburse about 60% to 90% of eligible costs after your deductible. You’ll pay the vet bill first and then file a claim to receive reimbursement.
What's the difference between accident-only and accident and illness plans for dog bite coverage?
Accident-only plans cover immediate treatment costs like emergency surgery and stitches, up to your policy's annual limit. 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 starts after your policy’s accident waiting period ends, since attacks are treated as accidents, not illnesses. Waiting periods differ by insurer but are usually shorter for accidents. Check your policy details to know exactly when coverage begins.
Do I need dog bite coverage if my dog is small and friendly?
Small dogs are more vulnerable to attacks from larger dogs, which can cause severe injuries and expensive vet bills. 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. Before purchasing a policy, compare multiple quotes and read the fine print to get the cheapest pet insurance with quality dog bite coverage.
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. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
sources
- CareCredit. "Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs." Accessed September 23, 2025.