Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Dog Bites?

Most dog owners never think about insurance until the day their dog bites someone, and then it becomes the only thing that matters. The good news is that your homeowners policy is usually what stands between you and a large bill. The catch is in the exclusions.

Liability coverage is what pays

Dog bites are typically covered under the **personal liability** portion of your homeowners or renters policy. If your dog injures someone and you are found responsible, that coverage can pay their medical bills and your legal costs, up to your liability limit. This holds whether the bite happens at your home or, in many cases, somewhere else.

Breed and history exclusions

The risk hides in the exclusions. Many insurers **exclude certain breeds** they consider high-risk, or refuse to cover a dog with a history of biting. If your policy has a breed exclusion and your dog is on the list, a bite claim can be denied entirely, leaving you personally on the hook. Some insurers do not ask about breed at all. Others will not write you a policy if you own one.

The limit may not be enough

A serious dog bite claim can reach tens of thousands of dollars once medical bills and legal costs add up. If your liability limit is low, a large claim can blow right past it, and you pay the rest. This is one of the main reasons people add an **umbrella policy** for extra liability protection.

Know where you stand before it happens

The worst time to learn your policy excludes your dog is after a bite. One scan of your homeowners policy through MyPolicyShield shows how dog bites are handled, whether there is a breed exclusion, and how high your liability limit goes.

Find out where you stand before your dog makes the decision for you.