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Renters insurance policies typically include personal liability coverage. If your pets (or you) damage othersโ property or cause injury, the coverage helps pay for repairs, medical and rehabilitation bills, and other related expenses.
You may also want to consider supplemental pet liability insurance for certain types of pets. Depending on your insurance company, it may be available as an add-on coverage to your renters insurance policy or as a separate policy altogether.
Even well-behaved and well-trained pets have minds of their own, which sometimes can lead them to costly misadventures, leaving a pet owner liable for property damage or bodily injuries. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average dog bite claim cost $64,555 in 2022. Thatโs money a pet owner could be held responsible for.
Property damage may also have financial ramifications. Imagine your dog scratches up the kitchen cabinetry in your rented home, or your aging cat doesnโt get to the litter box and makes a real mess of your apartmentโs carpeting. If the damage is substantial, you could be on the hook for at least some of the repair, cleaning, or replacement costsโeven if you paid a pet deposit as part of your lease agreement.
This is where liability insurance comes to the rescue.
The typical renters insurance policy includes three kinds of coverage:
Your liability coverage comes into play if your pet harms someone outside your household or damages property that doesnโt belong to you. Such an incident does not have to happen in your rented home or on the property. Liability coverage typically protects you wherever you and your pet roam.
Liability coverage has a limit, which is the maximum amount your insurer will pay for a covered incident. According to State Farm, the typical limit is $100,000. The policy contract may specify a lower limit for pet incidents and also have some exclusions, which weโll discuss later.
Hereโs an example of how renters insurance might work to cover a pet liability.
While you have the front door propped open to bring in groceries, your one-year-old schnauzer senses the opportunity of a lifetime. Heโs halfway across the yard and gaining speed before you even realize heโs gone. He slows down once he makes it to the busy sidewalk. Then, in a moment of confusion combined with youthful canine exuberance, he bites a pedestrian in the calf.
Youโre finally able to wrangle him, and you speak to the victim. Her injury doesnโt seem too significant, and fortunately, sheโs very understandingโno hard feelings. Still, she does go to the hospital for treatment. This results in a $2,000 bill, for which youโre responsible.
You file a claim with your renterโs insurance company. Because the claim amount is well below your liability limit, the insurer fully reimburses the victim for her hospital bills.
By no means should you assume that your policy will protect you in every situation. As insurer Progressive notes, โIn most instances, renters insurance covers dog bites up to your policyโs limits as a part of bodily injury liability coverage. However, every policy will have different rules, including some restrictions on certain dog breeds.โ
Fairly or not, many insurers exclude some dog breeds. Thereโs no industry-standard list, but you might expect your insurer not to cover the following:
Renters policies may also exclude damage or injuries caused by exotic pets. These can include snakes, large cats, reptiles, primates, ferrets, bears, and wolves. From a financial-protection perspective, the good news is that you have options.
Supplemental pet liability insurance can provide the coverage you need if your pet is excluded by your renters policy. Your insurer may offer add-on coverage to your main policy, or it might provide pet liability as a separate policy. You even might have to buy the coverage from a separate company. Of course, youโll need to budget a little more for it.
Renters insuranceโwhich, again, includes liability coverage that applies to pet incidentsโcosts on average $173 per year (about $14 per month) in 2024. And keep in mind that a renters policy provides not only liability coverage for you and your pets, but coverage for your personal belongings and any additional living expenses should you have to vacate your home temporarily.
The cost of a supplemental pet liability insurance policy varies by company. Your animal type and breed, and policy limit, will also affect the cost. A recent article by MarketWatch states that coverage can range from as little as $10 per month to $1,000 per year.
We couldnโt find any state or municipality that requires pet owners to have liability insurance. However, when considering adopting a pet, be sure to take some time to understand the laws where you live. Some municipalities, for instance, prohibit ownership of certain dog breeds.
Of course, the law and a lease agreement can differ, so be sure to discuss any pet-related clauses in the lease agreement with your landlord. There may be restrictions, specific insurance requirements, or a mandated deposit.
A lease agreement could include any of the following:
The Humane Society of the United States offers an information page and tips for renters with pets. Itโs worth checking out.
Here are three things to do when shopping for pet liability insurance.
Renters insurance quotes typically require you to provide information about your pet, including whatever is known about its breed. Your insurer will take a dim view of any falsification of this information (perhaps discovered when you file a claim.) Itโll likely result in the cancellation of your policy and may even hurt your chances of getting insured in the future.
If your renters insurance policy excludes your petโs breed, ask the insurer if it offers exceptions. Some companies may be willing to evaluate pets on a case-by-case basis, looking at factors such as bite history and behavioral training.
You can lean on an expert when shopping for renters insurance. Local, independent agents are licensed professionals who typically represent multiple insurance companies. They can shop around on your behalf and find you the coverage you need.
Avoid confusing pet liability insurance with pet insurance. The former provides financial protection in the event your pet injures someone or damages their property. The latter helps reimburse your expenses if your pet needs veterinary care. Think of it as health insurance for your pet.
Pet insurance is becoming increasingly popular as veterinary costs rise. Some companies offer it.
Even the best-behaved pets can act unpredictably. Such behavior can lead to property damage or injuries for which you as the pet owner are responsible. If you have renters insurance, your policy likely includes liability coverage, which can help you pay for repairs, medical bills, and other expenses arising from these types of incidents.
If you own certain dog breeds or exotic animals, you may need to look into supplemental pet liability insurance to ensure the financial protection you need.
We couldnโt find any laws requiring renters to have pet liability insurance. However, laws are always being passed, so pet owners should double-check with their local government to understand any requirements.
On the other hand, a landlord may require you to obtain renters insuranceโwhich typically includes liability for petsโas part of the lease agreement. Make sure you read it carefully.
No. Pet insurance only covers costs related to your petโs veterinary care.
Pet liability insurance covers costs associated with property damage or bodily injury caused by your pet to anyone who is not a member of your household.
Your renters insurance liability coverage should cover incidents up to their limit regardless of the number of pets involved. If youโre purchasing supplemental pet liability insurance, contact your policy provider to understand how coverage is applied when you have multiple pets.
Whether your pet is covered by your renters insurance policy or a supplemental pet liability insurance policy, contact your insurance company or an agent to understand how to file a claim.
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