Little Fluffy has finally settled into his new digs at your home. You’ve taken him to the vet, gotten him properly licensed and tagged, and introduced him to family and friends. So, why does it feel like you’ve forgotten something? Well, that’s probably because you haven’t gotten around to letting your insurance broker know about the newest member of your family.
Yes, your insurance broker needs to know Fluffy has joined the fold. No matter how mild-mannered your dog may seem, as a pet owner, you are liable for any damage or injury caused by your pet. With the cost of pet claims averaging $32,000 according to industry reports, you don’t want to be left holding that bill if you can help it.
It is important to be aware that not all accidents involving your pet will be covered by your homeowners policy.
Here are 3 examples where something like a dog bite may or may not be covered.
No Coverage: If your dog or its breed is know to be aggressive, your insurer can choose not provide coverage under a standard policy. Or, if coverage is available, you may have to pay more to insure a particular breed. That’s why it’s so important to keep your insurance broker in the loop so they can help you explore your coverage options.
Partial Coverage: If your current policy carries the lowest liability limits of say $100,000 and your dog inflicts serious harm resulting in $115,000 in medical bills and damages, you could exhaust your coverage and end up paying $15,000 out of pocket.
Full Coverage: If you have a policy with high liability limits plus an umbrella policy and you have to pay extensive medical bills for reconstructive surgery, hospital time, and lost wages because of an injury caused by your dog, you will likely have adequate coverage for all of those expenses without you having to take out your checkbook.
As a new pet owner, we know it is difficult for you to imagine the day when your furry new friend might harm someone else. While that day may never come, it’s our job to protect you before it does.Give us a call and let us know about your pet. We’ll discuss your existing coverage and let you know about options if you need more.
