Man's best friend is sinking its teeth into homeowners insurance costs. Dog bites now account for one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims, costing $356.2 million in 2007 according to the Insurance Information Institute. While the number of dog bite claims has remained about the same in the last three years, the average cost per claim continues to rise because of increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgements and jury awards. Dog owners may be liable for any injuries their pets cause.
Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically cover dog bite liability, but if the claim exceeds the liability limit the dog owner could be personally responsible for all damages above that amount, including legal expenses. A single lawsuit can end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars and the greater a person's assets, the more potenially is at risk. You can also choose to purchase an excess liability or umbrella policy that gives you additional liability coverage above your home policy liability coverage.
Another way to add protection is to prevent a dog from biting in the first place. A number of environmental triggers can cause even a well-behaved dog to snap. Some of the most common triggers include defending territory, puppies or food; being confronted by a stranger or an unfamiliar situation; being taunted or provoked by someone; and suffering from an injury or illness. Even if you think your dog could "never" bite anyone, you'll still want to take a few precautions to make sure it stays calm around other people and animals.
- Let your dog make friends. By introducing a young puppy to other dogs and people, you'll teach him important behavioral skills.
- If you're thinking about buying or adopting a dog, make sure you know its history.
- Consider signing up your dog for training classes taught by a professional dog trainer.
- If you don't intend to breed your dog, getting it spayed or neutered can reduce aggression.
- Always supervise children around a dog. A dog can sense a child's nervousness, which will make the animal more anxious.
- Teach children exactly how to approach the family pet.
- Don't approach an unfamiliar dog or allow yours to greet another dog without the owner's permission.
- Don't bother a dog that is eating, sleeping or caring for its puppies.
While it's true dogs can be dangerous, a little training and a few precautions can go a long way when it comes to preventing bites.
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