Show of hands – who has been around their dog nonstop for four months now because of the pandemic? Or maybe the shutdown gave your family the perfect opportunity to adopt a fluffy Fido. Chances are your dog has become even more attached to you than ever before with the constant attention. You have done everything to spoil your loyal companion, but what happens when that loyalty ends in an unfortunate dog bite incident? You take care of your dog the best way you know how, but you also need to make sure you are protecting yourself as well.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, run-ins with dogs can account for one-third of claims against homeowner’s insurance policies. Keep in mind, a claim for a dog bite does not just include stitches. Medical bills (think reconstructive surgery), possible legal fees, lost wages, pain and suffering if the victim decides to sue – these can all fall under eligible costs. Sometimes, these can quickly outweigh the limits of your homeowner’s policy. That is why, to ensure you have enough coverage in place, it is best to consider an umbrella policy. Mishaps – big or small – you can still rest assured that your investments and property will not be affected because of the comprehensive coverage.
We all love our dogs, and we can think that ours would never bite, but it is shown that most incidents are first time biters. Even if you have done the best you can with training and behavior sometimes accidents happen. Why be unprepared and cause a financial hardship on yourself because of it? Protecting them and you is the smartest move you can make.
