As a dog owner, in order to provide yourself with the coverage you need you should purchase a homeowner policy or renter’s policy that doesn’t exclude canine-inflicted injuries. Or you may decide to buy a supplemental dog bite insurance policy that covers your pet. Every dog owner needs to do their homework and confirm that their homeowner insurance or renters insurance provides coverage for, and does not exclude, injuries inflicted by dogs.

Your dog may be very docile, but even the tamest and calmest dogs can suddenly grow irritated and decide to attack someone. You do have coverage options, so simply take the time to check out several dog liability insurance quotes and make your decision based on your findings.

Review your current policy for exclusions

You need to be absolutely sure that dog bites are not excluded from your current policy, which may mean talking to your agent, or you can review the policy language yourself, which should have a section covering this information. Review the section pertaining to “exclusions” to make certain that there is no exemption for injuries inflicted by dogs or animals in general.

To determine the limit under the policy, review the policy declaration, which is the page that lists the names of the insureds, the types of coverages, the cost, and the limits. For dog owners who can afford to pay for more valued protection, it’s suggested that you consider purchasing an insurance policy with higher limits.

One option is an umbrella or excess liability policy with a $1 million limit, which is actually very inexpensive. The Insurance Information Institute (III) advises homeowners to consider purchasing a personal excess liability policy, which protects against personal liabilities, such as dog bites, that could greatly impact your assets if a large settlement is awarded. A lawsuit could cost more in medical expenses alone than your coverage provides for.

Simply stated, as a dog owner, you’re exposed to possible liability for dog bites and other canine-inflicted injuries. Dogs bite at least 4.5 million Americans every year, with children being the victims of the most serious attacks, and the annual losses easily exceeds $1 billion dollars. Don’t get caught without the valuable protection that dog bite insurance provides. Speak with your agent and go over dog liability insurance quotes to see the insurance options available to you.