Does homeowners insurance cover pets?

Q: Do I have to add my dog to my homeowners insurance?

Yes . It is essential to be honest with your insurer that you have a dog or other pet and their breed. If this breed is restricted by that insurer, you need to know that so you can consider other options for coverage. If you tell your insurance agency you do not have a dog and then there is a pet-related claim, the insurance company could deny coverage.

Are pets covered under homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance does not cover your pet's illness or injuries, but it does cover your liability if your pet injures someone or damages their property, depending on the policy and type of pet.

The critical distinction here is that there is no specific pet insurance coverage in a homeowners insurance policy. The coverage available will be determined by your home insurance liability coverage limits, usually between $100,000 and $300,000, and your medical payment coverage limits, generally between $1,000 and $5,000.

If you have an umbrella policy, your liability coverage limits will be much higher, as umbrella policies are typically sold at amounts between $1 million and $10 million.

Expert TipEven if you have an umbrella policy, be sure to check with your insurance company and review your policy for limits on injuries caused by animals. Some home insurance policies impose lower limits of coverage for damage or injuries caused by pets. So, even if you have a $300,000 liability limit, you may only have a $25,000 limit for pet-related damages.

Which dogs are not covered by home insurance?

Some homeowners insurance companies restrict coverage for certain dog breeds or dogs with a history of biting or aggressive behavior. Insurers have different rules, so a dog excluded by one company may be covered by another.

Only a few companies have breed exclusions, and not all of them exclude the same breeds. The following companies have minimal restrictions on dog breeds:

State Farm
Amica
USAA

For other homeowners insurance companies, below are some of the commonly excluded breeds:

Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Cane Corso (a popular type of mastiff, but all mastiffs are on this list)
Chow Chow
Doberman Pinscher
German Shepherd
Great Dane
Mastiff
Pit Bull
Perro de presa canario
Rottweiler
Siberian Husky
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Wolf hybrid

Does home insurance cover dog bites?

Homeowners insurance covers dog bites, subject to the policy's limits and exclusions, which may not cover certain breeds. Personal liability coverage pays covered damages and legal defense costs up to your policy limit; some policies have special limits for dog bites. Medical payments coverage also covers certain medical bills for an injured person.

Dennis E. Sawan, an insurance and personal injury lawyer at Sawan & Sawan, says that his firm often deals with dog-related insurance matters.

“The most common injury we see involving pets are dog bites. These types of injuries disproportionately affect children, and they can be rather severe. The type of coverage that will apply to a dog bite depends on the specific language of the insurance policy,” Sawan says.

If your pet injures someone or their property and a lawsuit results, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars. If the damage is within your homeowners liability coverage limits, you will most likely be covered. However, you can expect a premium increase at the next renewal. There is also a chance that your home insurance company will decide the dog is too high a risk and will exclude the dog from future coverage entirely.

“Insurance coverage will usually turn on an analysis of liability under these different state laws, so it’s important to understand the nuances of pet liability laws in your state,” Sawan says.

Check with your insurer to determine precisely what pet-related injuries or damages are covered under your homeowners policy.

Are exotic pets covered under a homeowners insurance policy?

Currently, 20 states have comprehensive bans on exotic pets, which typically refers to animals considered dangerous and normally kept in zoos. Thirteen states have partial bans on exotic pets, and 14 allow them with a permit or license. If the pet is banned in your state, odds are good insurance won’t cover it.

But what about more common exotic pets like ferrets or pythons?

Some exotic pets may be covered under your home insurance policy. Be sure to ask your agent for specifics on what exotic pets are covered. You may discover that you need to increase your liability insurance coverage to be fully covered.

And if the pet isn’t covered? Consider buying “exotic pet insurance” or animal liability insurance, which would be separate from your homeowners insurance policy.

Does renters insurance cover pets?

Renters insurance covers your liability when a covered pet injures someone or damages another person's property, subject to the policy's limits and exclusions. It does not cover veterinary bills for your own pet.

If it’s not covered, you may be able to buy additional coverage or get an animal liability policy.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to add my dog to my homeowners insurance?

Yes. It is essential to be honest with your insurer that you have a dog or other pet and their breed. If this breed is restricted by that insurer, you need to know that so you can consider other options for coverage.

If you tell your insurance agency you do not have a dog and then there is a pet-related claim, the insurance company could deny coverage.

Are there things I can do to help prevent my dog from biting?

You can reduce the risk of a dog bite by supervising your dog around people and children, keeping it secured and using a leash in public. Proper socialization and avoiding situations that make your dog feel threatened can also help prevent bites.

Here are some other tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent dog bites and scratches.

Always ask if you wish to pet someone's dog. Make sure the dog sniffed and saw you before you reach out to pet it.
Do not let young children play with dogs or family pets without supervision
Socialize your dog with a leash in public.
Do not disturb a dog while it is eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies.
Do not continue petting a dog if it seems scared, sick, or angry.
Do not encourage your dog to play aggressively or roughhouse.
Do not panic or make loud noises; never run from a dog or break up dog fights.

Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites off property?

Homeowners insurance usually covers dog bites that occur off your property. The liability portion of your policy typically covers injuries your dog causes to others, whether the incident happens at your home or elsewhere. However, coverage can vary, so it's important to check your specific policy.