Do You Need Dog Bite Insurance?
Insurance against a dog bite is one of those things that Sacramento residents and other Northern Californians may not think about, however, perhaps they should. The Sacramento Bee reported that incidences of dog attacks doubled in the area since 2006 and resulted in either hospitalization or visits to the emergency room. California was named by MoneyWise as having the highest number of dog bites in the nation. During 2018, the average insurance claim cost $45,543, with the filing of 2,166 claims. The total payout was more than $98 million. In the following, we will examine insurance coverage for dog bites and fatalities caused by canines in California in 2019.
Dog Bite Insurance
Some but not all homeowner and renter insurance companies cover dog bites. The typical liability limits, depending on the policy, are $100,000 up to $300,000. The owner, of course, would be personally responsible for any amount exceeding that. Some insurance companies refuse to provide dog bite insurance if the animal is considered a dangerous breed, such as a Pitbull, Rottweiler, or Wolf hybrid. Other insurance companies decide whether they will provide coverage on an individual basis. Because of the high cost of injuries and fatalities that result from dog attacks each year, some insurance companies take additional steps such as requiring the animal to be kept on a chain or be enrolled in obedience classes. In addition, not all claims are strictly about dog attacks. Dogs can also injure people by knocking them down, especially children or the elderly, which can result in injuries. It is a good idea for homeowners and renters to check their policies to see if they are covered if their pet causes an injury because damages can be considerable. If not, there are supplemental policies available. Fatalities are also covered under dog bite insurance.
California Dog Bite Fatalities 2019
So far, during 2019, nine fatalities were reported in California because of dog attacks. These included the following:
- January 16, 2019: A 70-year-old woman in San Bernardino County was attacked and killed by four Pitbulls belonging to a visitor to her property.
- February 9, 2019: A 54-year-old Anza woman died several months later from injuries received from a dog attack as she was outdoors hanging her laundry. The owner of the three dogs that attacked her was a neighbor.
- March 22, 2019: A 2-year-old in Fresno was killed by two dogs while in the front yard of the family’s home. The dogs also attacked the child’s grandmother when she tried to intervene.
- June 16, 2019: A 36-year-old woman was killed in Bakersfield in a Costco parking lot when she was attacked by three dogs. Two of the dogs belonged to a local business owner.
- June 27, 2019: A 2-year-old child was mauled to death by the family’s pet in the backyard of the home.
- June 28, 2019: A 54-year-old Ventura woman was killed by her daughter’s dogs. It was reported that the dogs had attacked the woman twice before.
- September 20, 2019: A 13-month-old infant was killed in Granite Bay by the family pet inside the home.
- October 8, 2019: A 21-year-old man died after being attacked by two dogs in a relative’s home in Modesto. He had stayed the night, sleeping on the sofa, and was found in the morning unresponsive.
- November 11, 2019: A dog attack in Madera by two animals killed a 38-year-old man, whose body was discovered lying in a dry riverbed.
Seeking Help From a Lawyer Following a Dog Injury
Dog owners are responsible for any injuries caused by their pets in California. An injury lawyer can help by talking to witnesses, if any, and checking the police report for accuracy. Investigators are sent right away to the location to comb the area for evidence. This can include nearby traffic or business cameras, photographing the area, and preserving the evidence. This information can be used by our lawyers to build a strong case for fair compensation either in court or while negotiating on your behalf with the insurance company.
Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento dog bite lawyer. When you or your loved one has been injured by a dog, you need an experienced injury lawyer by your side to obtain the compensation you deserve. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or through the toll-free line at (800) 404-5400 for my free and friendly advice. An online form to send me a message is available also.
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For more than 37 years, I’ve successfully obtained compensation for many types of traffic accidents, wrongful deaths, dog bites, and traumatic injuries.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-dalmatians-pet-dog-breed-1020790/
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