Does Your Homeowners Insurance Cover Dog Bites?

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta ("CDC"), dogs bite nearly 2% of the U.S. population -- more than 4.7 million people annually.

If you own a dog and you're not sure that your homeowners insurance covers dog bites, you probably should check.  Even if your dog is highly trained and seems well-behaved, it's important to have homeowners insurance or renters insurance that provides coverage for injuries that are caused by a dog bite.

Most insurance companies do provide at least $100,000.00 for victims of dog bites.  Go over your insurance policy carefully.  If your insurance company doesn't offer this coverage, it's time to find one that does.

Be aware that currently many companies in the insurance industry are trying to get out of paying claims on dog bites.  These companies are now refusing to sell insurance to people with certain breeds of dogs or they are simply excluding dog bites from their coverage.

Dog owners aren't the only ones who may be held responsible for a dog bite or attack.  Dog keepers, parents of minors who own the dog, and even landlords who were aware that a tenant owned a dangerous dog could be liable to the injured party.

Find out more about dog bite laws in Virginia at our Virginia accident injury lawyer blog.

If you are a victim of a dog bite in the Richmond, Virginia area, you should seek medical attention immediately.  Also, find out what you should do after a dog has bitten or attacked you.