We all love our pooches! Big or small, fluffy or sleek, super-smart or kind of silly, dogs are important members of almost 40% of American families. Unfortunately, with all that love comes a certain amount of risk inherent in interacting with dogs. In 2018, there were 344,202 emergency room visits as a result of dog bites. While you never expect your beloved canine friend to bite someone or another animal, as insurance agents, it’s our job to expect the unexpected and to make sure our clients understand their liability and coverage options before something awful happens.
Homeowners Insurance
In addition to the physical damage portion of your Homeowners Insurance, your policy includes personal liability protection, in amounts that can range from $100,000 to $1 million. This coverage is designed to pay out when someone is harmed by something an insured (or their dog) has done. However, some policies exclude animal bites and some policies exclude liability for certain breeds of dogs. That’s why our agents always ask about dogs and breeds when quoting coverages. Having a breed of dog on a company’s exclusion list does not mean you can’t get insurance – we just need to find the right company that fits your needs. Withholding information or trying to slip a “bully” breed in as a “lab mix” may get you a policy, but that might “bite you in the rear” later when a liability claim isn’t covered like you thought it would be.
Renters Insurance
Most landlords require a tenant to have a Renters Insurance policy, and that’s a good thing! Just like Homeowners Insurance, Renters Insurance includes personal property coverage, plus personal liability protection designed to cover injury done by an insured or their pet. Renters Insurance companies may also exclude dog liability or certain breeds, so again, it’s critical that your agent knows about your furry household members.
Dwelling Fire Insurance
If you are a landlord and renting out a house, apartment, or condo to someone on a lease, the correct insurance policy for your property is a Dwelling Fire policy. This policy is designed to protect your interest in the physical structure of the building, limited personal property (usually the appliances or any furnishings provided to the tenant), and landlord liability, to protect against negligence.
Most Dwelling Fire policies are written to provide liability for animal bites including the landlord’s animals, and any animals owned or kept by someone residing on the property, your tenants. This is the #1 reason to require your tenants to have their own Renters Insurance policies. Their policy will provide primary coverage for a bodily injury claim… if their policy doesn’t exclude dog bites or the breed of the biting dog! Just like with Homeowners and Renters Insurance, some companies exclude dog bites or certain breeds from their liability coverage on Dwelling Fire policies. If you allow your tenants to have dogs, it’s imperative for your liability protection that you confirm the coverages and exclusions on your Dwelling Fire policy.
Insure with the People you Trust
At Kasmann insurance, we’ve been shopping for the perfect policies for our clients since 1923. We’re proud that our position as an independent agency gives our clients multiple options for companies and coverages. Whether you’re a Homeowner, Renter, or Landlord, we want you and your pooches properly protected. Call your favorite agent today at 573-442-1105 if you have any questions about your dogs or your tenants’ dogs, and we can review your policy and make sure you have the right coverages for your situation. Or swing by the drive-thru with your dog – we always have treats (human and canine) at the ready!