When the Bite is Worse Than the Bark
We love our dogs – they are a part of our family. And at Rogers, they are a part of our office culture as well (That’s Jackson just above – very sweet and never bites!) But you need to ensure you are properly covered if you own a four-legged friend. Some insurance companies will deny homeowner insurance coverage depending on the dog breed.
There are approximately 500,000 dog bites per year in Canada. Although many of these bites may be minor, some of them are very serious, even life-threatening and could lead to a serious lawsuit.
Should an attack take place, this is generally covered by the dog owner’s home insurance policy. If the victim of an attack brings a personal liability suit against the dog owner, the owner can open a claim with their insurance company and receive coverage against the suit.
Legislature in both Alberta and Ontario states a dog’s owner is responsible for injuries his or her dog inflicts on another person or animal. This means victims can seek damage compensation for medical costs, loss of income due to injury, or destruction of property. And yes, dogs are considered to be their owners’ properties. It’s important to know how to protect yourself as a dog owner. The first step is to make sure your insurance provider is aware of your pet, including the breed of dog. Each provider reviews the application differently and advises our brokers of their decision to write the risk or not. Insurers are allowed to deny writing an insurance policy if they are not comfortable with the exposures disclosed in the application process, and yes, a dog breed is one of those exposures.
Depending on the breed, size, and past behavior of your dog, your Rogers Insurance broker will help you determine whether you are properly covered or if you should purchase an additional personal umbrella policy. If your dog has been identified as a dangerous breed or has a history of attacks, your insurance company may not be willing to offer coverage. In these cases, your broker will help you determine your options by working with you to find the right insurer and coverage to keep you safe from a potential lawsuit.
Even dog breeds considered “at risk” can find coverage – It’s important to be honest with your broker. Call us today to find out if you are properly covered at 1-800-565-8132