For many years, dog owners and insurance companies have been battling it out over claims because some insurers maintain a restricted list of breeds that will not be covered by homeowners’ insurance due to a perception of their tendencies toward aggression. Since it is technically possible for a dog of any breed to bite hard enough to lead to an injury, legislation in many states includes a specific definition of what constitutes a dangerous dog, and regulations for maintaining that animal. This has made it possible for a dog to…
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Animal liability takes a bite out of the insurance industry
Almost one thousand Americans are treated in emergency rooms every day as a result of dog bites. Estimates show that in 2009 insurance companies paid out a total of 412 million dollars in claims for dog bites. In a survey recently conducted by State Farm, they reveal the states with the highest amount of claims for dog bites. Topping the list was California. According to the State Farm survey, California rated the highest in dog bite claims filed. Last year, California had 369 claims filed on insurance because of dog…
Read MoreAnimal liability coverage going away on some homeowner’s policies
If you’re thinking about buying a home, or changing insurance providers, make sure you read the fine print. There are several insurance companies that are excluding coverage for your canine companions. They will no longer cover property damage caused by your dog, and they won’t pay for any medical costs should someone get bit. Insurers and underwriters are watching the numbers, and the numbers are telling them they are paying out well over 400 million dollars a year on dog bite incidents. Hospital emergency rooms see over 365 thousand people…
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