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| renters insurance and dogs |
Does tenant insurance cover liability for dog bites?
There are more than 78 million dogs owned in the United States; it's 78 million owners who will be or have already been defendants in a dog bite liability case. Although the consequences can vary depending on the severity, dog bites are expensive. In perspective, the cost of medical bills, property damage, litigation costs, etc. is definitely higher than the cost of a dog bite liability premium. However, this is not enough for many dog owners.
Why?
Dog owners who don't understand the importance of dog bite liability insurance fall into two categories; (1) he/she is calm and gentle and, most importantly, has no history of aggressive behavior and (2) is undereducated on dog bite liability insurance. But as stated in previous blogs, dog bites do not discriminate against a large pit bull or a rottweiler. This week, let's talk about the important issue of tenant and dog insurance.
In a situation where an owner imposes a policy banning pets, many dog owners choose their dog over the rental property. Therefore, they are actively looking for rental properties that accept pets. According to a recent survey by Apartments.com, almost 75% of tenants have a pet (compared to 43% in 2012), including 78% for dogs. It's over to say, 30 percent more tenants potentially undereducated on dog bite liability.
Does tenant insurance cover liability for dog bites?
Tenants 'and owners' insurance is similar in terms of their positioning in terms of dog bite insurance. A standard tenant insurance policy provides one of the following:
- Limited coverage on dog bites
- Typically excludes specific breeds (e.g. Pit Bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds)
- High premiums
- Mandatory to purchase additional coverage
Review your current tenant insurance policy with your insurance agency; does it provide coverage for dog bites? If yes, are there any exclusions? How much are you covered? The Federation of Insured Dog Owners (F.I.D.O) encourages all tenants to take out dog bite liability insurance.
F.I.D.O., the Federation of Insured Dog Owners, Inc., now offers the covered canine insurance policy, an exclusive product, and benefits for F.I.D.O. members only. This font is available in California, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin. It will protect you if your dog bites and harms an individual. It does not exclude any dog breed and starts from $ 75 per dog per year.