Getting bitten by an animal can be a traumatizing experience that leaves both emotional and physical scars. Whether you\u2019re the owner of the dog or the victim of the bite, it\u2019s important to understand how insurance coverage works regarding animal attacks.<\/p>\n
So, does renter’s insurance cover dog bites? Yes. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to insurance claims for dog bites:<\/p>\n
In Arizona, the person who is in charge of the pet in question is strictly liable if the dog bit the person when they were in a place that they are legally allowed to be (not trespassing<\/a>). While you, as the owner, are almost always responsible for damages from a dog bite, a couple exceptions to this rule may exist. If the victim was accessing your property unlawfully by trespassing, you may not be liable. Another exception to being personally responsible is proving that the bite victim provoked your dog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What counts as provocation in dog bite cases? While poking or teasing a dog may be what you first think of when considering this, there are other unintentional behaviors that may qualify. If your dog bit the victim after they accidentally stepped on the animal, you may be able to claim that they provoked the dog, even though it wasn\u2019t on purpose. To prove that your dog was provoked, you\u2019ll have to show that something happened that made them bite the person.<\/p>\n In some cases, an additional person may be liable for a dog bite event. If you hire someone to walk your dog and the animal bites someone while they\u2019re out on a walk, both you as the owner and the dog walker might be responsible. If a landlord is aware (or should be aware) of a dog\u2019s presence on a property and knows that the animal is potentially dangerous, they might also be responsible if the pet bites someone.<\/p>\n After receiving a dog bite, you may go through both financial and non-financial difficulties. The handler or owner of the dog will be responsible for paying you damages, which might include:<\/p>\n The severity of injuries from a dog bite are hard to discern immediately after the event occurs. While a bite may seem insignificant, it could still lead to nerve damage<\/a> or a more serious infection later on. In severe cases, the injury could require surgery or extensive treatment of some kind.<\/p>\n If you or a loved one receives a dog bite, the first thing you should do is get it checked by a doctor. Even if it doesn\u2019t appear to be that serious, it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry with this. Your next concern may be how you\u2019ll pay for the expenses from the injury you received. Ideally, the person responsible for the dog will have insurance coverage that takes care of part of your expenses.<\/p>\n As a dog owner, one of your concerns should be insurance coverage regarding the pet. Renter\u2019s and homeowner\u2019s insurance policies usually include dog bite liability for the purchased coverage amount. For renter\u2019s, this is usually around $100,000 liability and for homeowner\u2019s, $300,000. If you, as the dog owner, have insurance coverage and the policy doesn\u2019t cover all the damages, you\u2019ll be liable for paying the rest.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re renting a place, renter\u2019s insurance<\/a> will protect you against liability, loss, and theft in regards to your residence. The coverage will apply to your personal property and can help replace destroyed, damaged, or stolen items. Does renter\u2019s insurance cover dog bites? This type of insurance will protect you if someone is injured within your apartment, which includes an animal attack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dog bite incidents are usually covered in your insurance policy\u2019s personal liability section. Don\u2019t assume that renting a place automatically covers you, as most landlords won\u2019t provide coverage for dog bites.<\/p>\n If your pet injured someone by biting them, and the victim is seeking to recover damages for what they\u2019ve endured, your homeowner\u2019s insurance<\/a> policy will probably help you pay for it. Most of these policies include additional protections that help you compensate for damages caused by you or your dog. If you own a home, ask your insurance company about what their standard policy covers regarding pets.<\/p>\n In some states, insurers can refuse to provide coverage for specific dog breeds, such as Rottweilers or Pit Bulls. Fortunately, Arizona insurance providers don\u2019t exclude coverage based on your dog\u2019s breed. However, your dog might not be covered under your policy if they\u2019ve bitten someone in the past. You might have to pay a higher premium (as either a renter or homeowner) to cover your pet if they would have otherwise been excluded from coverage.<\/p>\n A significant number of claims against renter\u2019s or homeowner\u2019s policies are about dog bite injuries. If you\u2019ve been the victim of a bite, you may be incurring large medical bills as a result of the injury. The insurance company might offer you a settlement<\/a>, which is tempting to take since it will ease your financial burden.<\/p>\n However, if you go with their initial offer, you will have to sign a document that waives your ability to get more compensation later. Even if you need extensive treatment in the future for the original wound, you won\u2019t be able to get more money from the insurance company.<\/p>\n Your best bet is to hold off on talking with a claims adjustor unless you\u2019ve already spoken with a personal injury attorney<\/a>. They will help you determine the value of your dog bite case and whether or not the insurer\u2019s settlement offer is fair.<\/p>\nOther Potentially Responsible Parties<\/h4>\n
Dog Bite Damages<\/h4>\n
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Insurance Coverage for Dog Bites<\/h4>\n
Renter\u2019s Insurance<\/h4>\n
Homeowner\u2019s Insurance<\/h4>\n
Does Dog Breed Matter?<\/h4>\n
Working with an Attorney for a Dog Bite Case in Arizona<\/h4>\n