NW Insurance Council

Dog Bites

Prevention Tips

Have the dog spayed or neutered. Studies show dogs are three times more likely to bite if they are not neutered.
Socialize your dog so that it knows how to act around other people and animals.
Discourage children from disturbing a dog that is eating or sleeping.
Play non-aggressive games with dogs such as "go fetch." Games like "tug-of- war" can encourage inappropriate behavior.
Never approach a strange dog and always avoid eye contact with a dog that appears threatening.

Key Facts

Dogs left alone are more likely to become territorial and pose a higher risk of biting someone. More than 50 percent of dog bites occur on thedog owner's property.
Since the late 1990s, nearly 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs annually, resulting in an estimated 800,000 injuries.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites account for 15 percent of all Homeowners Insurance liability claims, costing nearly $317 million each year. These do not include uninsured losses or other medical costs that are not part of a liability claim.
The average cost per claim has spiked in recent years from $16,600 in 2002 to $21,200 in 2005.
Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically cover dog bite liability. Most policies provide $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage. If the claim exceeds the limit of the policy, the dog owner is responsible for all damages above that amount, including legal expenses.
Most insurance companies insure homeowners with dogs. Once a dog has bitten someone, however, it poses an increased risk. The company may suggest the homeowner find the dog a new home, charge a higher premium, nonrenew the Homeowners Insurance policy, or exclude the dog from coverage.