Without a doubt, dogs and cats are the most popular pets in the United States. While many people love these furry animals, no one likes animal bite liability. Unfortunately, no matter how friendly and well-mannered your pet may be, animal bites are always a possibility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 4.5 million animal bites occur in the United States every year. If you have a dog or cat, here is some information about whether or not you can expect your Waterbury homeowners insurance to cover animal bites.

Will Homeowners Insurance Cover Animal Bites in Waterbury?

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that dog bites are one of the most common liability claims for homeowners insurance policies in Waterbury and beyond. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, more than a third of all liability claims for home insurance involve animal bites in the United States. Insurance companies paid almost $500 million in 2013 to help cover the costs of liability claims related to animal bites.

If you have a home insurance policy, it is likely that the liability provisions grant you some coverage. However, keep in mind that many home insurance companies choose to exclude certain breeds. Usually, the breeds excluded have a reputation for aggressive behavior. This is especially true when it comes to breeds that are illegal for residents of your jurisdiction to own.

Before you make any assumptions about whether your home insurance will help cover animal bites, it is best that you check your policy. The last thing you want is to make a false assumption and end up accountable for thousands, if not millions, of dollars in damages.

What Are the Most Common Breed Restrictions for Homeowners Insurance in Waterbury?

Molosser breeds are considered the most dangerous of all dog breeds. Some examples of molosser breeds include pit bulls, Rottweilers, cane corsos, curs, mastiffs, presa canarios, dogo argentinos, shar-peis, and boxers. Any mixes of these breeds are also considered molosser breeds for all intents and purposes related to home insurance. While molosser breeds only account for about 9 percent of the population, these breeds account for much of the harm inflicted to humans. In fact, pit bulls and Rottweilers are responsible for the vast majority of dog bites that end in fatality.

Besides molosser breeds, other dog breeds commonly excluded from coverage by home insurance policies include German Shepherds, Dobermans, Chows, Akitas, Siberian Huskies, and more. Review your home insurance policy to see a comprehensive list of all the dog breeds excluded.

How Much Coverage for Animal Bites Do You Need?

Not only do you want to ensure that you have coverage for animal bites, but you also want to make sure the coverage is adequate. You want an amount of coverage that will likely offer adequate liquidity to help protect anyone who is a victim of your dog’s aggression. Even if you feel that your dog won’t victimize anyone, it is always possible that a playful child or other individual could provoke your dog to bite defensively.

Believe it or not, as a homeowner in Waterbury, you can lose your home due to animal bites if your homeowners insurance doesn’t provide adequate coverage. Therefore, it is best that you review your home insurance policy to ensure you will be covered in the event of an animal bite. While an animal bite may seem like an unlikely scenario, it is always better to be safe than sorry.