What Insurance Would Cover a Dog Bite?

What insurance would cover a dog bite depends on the owner’s specific insurance policies and limits. In most cases, the pet owner’s insurance covers dog bite injuries, and the victim’s financial compensation comes from this policy rather than the owner’s own funds.

Homeowner’s and Renter’s Insurance

The dog bite liability portion of an insurance policy is typically what covers dog bites. This could be homeowners’ insurance or renters’ insurance, depending on the person’s living situation.

What Does This Policy Typically Cover?

The insurance coverage will pay for the victim’s medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage up to the liability limits. These policy limits depend on the specific insurance but could be somewhere between $100,000 and $300,000.

Farmers Insurance notes that a renter’s or homeowner’s policy will not cover bites to the policyholder or other household members. For example, if you live with your brother, and your brother’s dog bites you within the home, you may not be able to make a claim.

According to Scifo v. Haeger, dog owners cannot avoid liability simply because they weren’t present with the animal at the time of the attack. This means that if a dog bit you in a public park after escaping its home, the owner cannot use this to argue that they’re not liable.

Will the Dog Owner’s Insurance Always Cover the Bite?

Dog bite claims cost homeowners’ insurance companies $1.5 billion in 2024, and the number of claims continues to rise. However, despite the large number of claims, not every policy provides dog bite coverage, making it crucial to review the contract and ask questions before signing up for a policy.

Policy Exclusions for Certain Dog Breeds

Illinois law prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage for certain breeds (Public Act 103-0011). However, other states have different laws that allow companies to refuse coverage for specific dog breeds.

In these states, companies require dog owners to disclose the breed of their dog before underwriting a policy. Commonly banned breeds include pit bulls, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, and rarer breeds like Alaskan Malamutes.

Our team will review local legislation and policy language to ensure that your claim is successful, particularly if the offending animal was of a breed that is classified as dangerous.

Exclusions Based on a Dog’s Prior Bite History

Though Illinois does not allow breed-specific legislation or insurance discrimination, it does impose strict liability for dog attacks (510 ILCS 5/). Part of the reason the state has so many claims is that it has eliminated the “one bite rule,” which classifies dogs as dangerous only after they bite someone.

Under Illinois law, homeowners’ insurance companies are permitted to cancel or refuse to renew a policy if the dog is classified as dangerous, such as if it bites or attacks someone (Public Act 103-0011). As such, if the dog has a history of aggression, it may have been excluded from the policy.

Other Types of Insurance That May Cover Dog Bites

There are several other types of insurance coverage that can compensate for a dog bite beyond renters’ insurance or homeowners’ insurance. This can include personal liability coverage or, in extreme cases, pet insurance meant to cover the dog’s medical bills.

If the dog bite injuries occurred on a farm, such as from a livestock guardian, then farm insurance may also provide protection to the victim. However, it is crucial that the person was not trespassing on the policyholder’s personal property, as this would not be covered under premises liability. You must have been an invitee for your injuries to be covered.

Event or business insurance covers dog bites at public events, such as with a dog owned by the performer. This is true even if the performer asked individuals to sign liability waivers before attending, as the dog bite would be considered negligence.

Umbrella Insurance Policies

An umbrella policy is similar to comprehensive auto insurance, providing additional protection against liability. It will be triggered if the homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy is insufficient to compensate the victim. This can be crucial if the dog attack was extremely severe and the victim has increased medical costs due to reconstructive surgery or physical therapy.

Standalone Dog Liability Insurance or Animal Liability Insurance

Responsible pet owners, particularly those with an excluded breed, will purchase dog bite insurance that provides coverage specifically for dog bites. There is also pet insurance, which will cover not just dogs but also other pets like exotics and livestock.

The Importance of Animal Liability Coverage for All Dog Owners

Dog bite insurance is not just for owners who know their dog may be aggressive or dangerous, but for all responsible pet owners. Animals can be unpredictable, particularly if they are stressed or in pain. Dog insurance helps protect fellow community members while preventing owners from having to pay out of pocket for medical costs.

Be sure to read the policy carefully and discuss any exclusions with the agent before signing up for the product. This way, you can ensure that you will not owe thousands in legal costs or medical care if your pet becomes aggressive.

What If the Dog Owner Has No Insurance at All?

If the owner has absolutely no insurance, then the victim must sue them directly for the damages. This can be a more challenging process, as it requires leveraging negligence laws and dog bite statutes in court.

For example, your attorney must show that the animal was declared dangerous due to its actions (7-12-020 & 7-12-030) or that the animal was not complying with local leash laws (7-12-030). The owner may argue that the victim provoked the animal by harassing it, resulting in complicated determinations of fault.

The owner may not have the funds to pay for the lawsuit directly, requiring liens on their property or other assets. This can become very complicated, especially if they have significant assets. However, our attorneys are skilled at these cases and will ensure that your expenses are covered by the owner.

The Illinois personal injury statute of limitations is two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202). This makes it crucial to contact us immediately so that we can file a lawsuit and meet all applicable deadlines, particularly if the owner has no insurance to cover your needs.

What Makes Us The Best Lawyers for Illinois Dog Bite Claims?

Dog bite claims can be challenging, particularly if the owner has multiple insurance policies that may be used to cover damages or if they do not have any insurance at all. We will thoroughly evaluate your case to find all possible avenues for compensation and fight back against unfair policy exclusions that may prevent you from receiving a fair settlement.

Our Settlements for Dog Bite Cases in Illinois

As Million Dollar Advocates, our team has secured over $450 million in settlements and positive verdicts for 5,000 clients across the past 25 years. We will aggressively advocate on your behalf to ensure that all your financial needs are covered while you heal. These are just some of the many settlements we have secured for victims across Illinois.

• $1,200,000: While visiting a relative’s home in the McKinley Park neighborhood of Chicago, two-year-old Annie was attacked by the homeowner’s Doberman Pinscher. This resulted in permanent facial scarring and severe emotional trauma. We negotiated with the relative’s homeowners’ insurance to have all Annie’s rehabilitation needs covered.
• $885,000: Thirteen-year-old Tommy was at a summer camp near the Wisconsin border, enjoying a cookout with the rest of the campers. A German Shepherd escaped from its owner’s property and attacked Tommy, pushing him into the bonfire. He suffered both severe burns and a broken leg. This case required complex negotiations between Tommy’s family, the summer camp operator, and the dog’s owner to ensure that all of the boy’s needs were covered by insurance.
• $700,000: Eight-year-old Bryan was attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull while walking home from school in Buffalo Grove. This resulted in nerve damage and significant scarring. The dog had a history of biting strangers and had been excluded from homeowners’ insurance, making it difficult to recover funds. We settled the case in court after demonstrating that Bryan had not provoked the animal.

How We Investigate Insurance Coverage in Your Case

As members of the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys, we have over two decades of experience working with insurance companies on behalf of our clients. Our first objective is to identify all applicable policies that may be used to cover your injuries. While a homeowner’s policy is usually the first option, other policies may also be available, such as pet insurance.

We then carefully examine the policy language to challenge any exclusions based on Illinois insurance law. For example, agents may insist that the dog was excluded before the bite occurred or that only injuries that occur on the homeowner’s property can be covered.

After reviewing the policy, we will gather evidence demonstrating that these injuries should be covered by the policy and begin our negotiations. We always push for maximum compensation, demanding that everything be covered.

Your own insurance will also play a role. If you have health insurance, we can negotiate with the hospital and your insurance to reduce your bills, meaning that you can save more money from your settlement.

While many cases settle before trial, we are members of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association with ample experience in courtroom representation. Our team will present our evidence to a judge and jury, highlighting how the policy’s language permits your claim to move forward. This way, you have the best possible chance of maximum compensation.

Contact Our Illinois Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Insurance claims can be challenging, particularly if there is more than one policy that could cover your injuries. Our dog bite lawyers in Chicago will handle this investigation and negotiation on your behalf so that you can focus on recovery. We work on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we win. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a compassionate dog bite attorney.