October 20th, 2011, 16:05 hrs.
Homeowners often wrongly assume that animal liability is included within their standard homeowner’s insurance policy. Although some policies do include animal liability, not all policies include this coverage; however, it can often be added as an endorsement to your policy depending on the breed of the dog.
The most commonly excluded breeds from homeowner’s policies include: Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas, Chow and Wolf breeds, as well as breeds including the word “bull,” such as a Bull Mastiff.
Some homeowner’s policies will provide standard liability coverage but specifically exclude dog liability; however, other insurance companies may disqualify you for coverage entirely. Some companies offer a dog liability endorsement, which can be added to your policy for an additional fee. Due to the fact that many insurance companies animal liability coverage’s vary, it is important to specifically inquire about this coverage if you own a dog.
Keep in mind, dog liability coverage extends outside of your property. For example, if your homeowner’s policy includes animal liability coverage and you bring your dog to a friend’s house and the dog causes physical harm to a person there, your policy will likely cover this incident. Also note that some policies provide limited coverage up to a certain amount, typically $25,000 or $50,000.
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