Pet Liability Insurance for Renters 2024 (2024)

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Animal-related accidents, particularly dog bites, are a common occurrence nationwide. In 2022 alone, U.S. insurers saw a significant surge in payouts for dog-related injury claims, surpassing $1 billion and amounting to almost $65,000 per claim, according to the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm.

When looking for the best renters insurance, pet owners, and especially dog owners, should ensure the policy includes pet liability coverage. This is a crucial safety net. Without pet liability insurance for renters, you risk being personally responsible for expenses related to medical bills, property damage and legal issues if you’re involved in a lawsuit about your pet.

What Is Pet Liability Insurance for Renters?

Pet liability insurance pays for expenses incurred by others for injuries or property damage that was accidentally caused by your pet. For example, if your dog jumps on a neighbor, resulting in injuries, pet liability insurance can cover their medical bills.

Like other types of liability coverage, pet liability insurance only pays other people when you are legally liable for their bills. Liability insurance doesn’t pay anything directly to you, although it may cover your legal bills in a pet-related lawsuit.

Does Renters Insurance Include Pet Liability Coverage?

Standard renters insurance policies usually include liability coverage and that coverage typically extends to pet-related accidents. To ensure you have the best renters insurance coverage for owning a dog, it’s recommended to check the details with your insurance company.

If your renters insurance lacks coverage for your pet, you may be able to buy a separate pet liability policy.

Does Pet Insurance Include Pet Liability Coverage?

Pet insurance does not include liability coverage for your pet. If your pet is injured or gets sick, pet insurance can help pay the vet bills and treatment costs. Unlike liability insurance, pet insurance doesn’t pay for property damage or injuries accidentally that your pet causes to other animals or people.

Some insurance companies offer a price break on your rates if you buy both renters and pet insurance from them. For example, you can get a 10% discount on pet insurance if you bundle your renters insurance with Lemonade pet insurance.

When Does Renters Insurance Cover Your Pet?

The personal liability portion of a renters insurance policy can provide coverage (up to the specified policy limits) for your pet in three key ways:

This coverage can pay for:

  • Medical costs for others if your pet injures someone.
  • Repair expenses for property damage caused by your pet.
  • Your legal fees in case someone sues you.

What Type of Pets Are Excluded From Renters Insurance Coverage?

Some insurance companies exclude liability coverage for specific banned dog breed lists due to the perceived risk associated with their behavior. Insurers often consider larger dogs with a reputation for aggression to be riskier to insure.

Some commonly banned breeds include:

  • Akitas
  • Alaskan malamutes
  • Chows
  • Doberman pinschers
  • German shepherds
  • Great danes
  • Pit bulls
  • Presa canarios
  • Rottweilers
  • Siberian huskies
  • Staffordshire terriers
  • Wolf hybrids

No matter your dog’s breed, don’t be surprised if your renters insurance company excludes your dog from liability insurance if it has a history of biting or aggressive behavior.

Exotic pets are also typically excluded. Common examples include:

  • Alligators, crocodiles and caimans.
  • Bears.
  • Foxes.
  • Jackals.
  • Non-domesticated felines.
  • Primates.
  • Venomous snakes.
  • Wolves.

When Doesn’t Renters Insurance Cover Your Pet?

Like other insurance policies, renters insurance has limitations, particularly concerning damage caused by a pet.

Pet Damages That Aren’t Covered by a Renters Insurance Policy

Renters insurance doesn’t cover pet damage to you, such as:

Damage to your belongings or rental: If a pet, like your cat, damages your furniture, renters insurance won’t cover the repair or replacement costs. It also won’t cover damage to the structure of your rental, like if your dog scratches up a wall.

Injuries to those in your household: While pet liability can pay for injuries caused by your dog to others, it won’t pay for any injuries to you or other household members.

Pet-Specific Coverage Limits

Pet liability coverage falls under your broader renters insurance liability limit. This limit may generally start around $100,000, but you can buy higher amounts.

If you have concerns about your pet being a potential liability, consider raising your liability limits or buying an umbrella insurance policy.

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How Does Renters Insurance Cover Pet Liability?

If your pet injures someone, they can make a claim against your renters insurance policy for their bills. Or they could sue you, which can also become a claim against your renters insurance policy.

If your insurer or a court determines the claim is valid, your insurer will pay them the amount owed.

If the amount owed is more than your renters insurance liability limit, you’ll be personally on the hook for the remainder.

What If Renters Liability Insurance Doesn’t Cover Your Pet?

If your renters liability insurance won’t cover your pet, consider these options:

Find a separate dog liability insurance policy: You may be able to buy dog liability coverage from another company.

Switch insurance providers: A different renters insurance company might cover your dog. Work with an independent insurance agent to compare available options.

How Do I Add a Pet to my Renters Insurance Policy?

When you apply for renters insurance, the insurer will likely ask about pets you have and the pets will be automatically included in your coverage—unless you have a dog or exotic animal that will be excluded. If you adopt a new dog after getting coverage, it’s smart to mention this to your insurance agent.

How Much Will I Pay for Renters Insurance With Pets?

The cost of renters insurance is around $14 a month, according to our analysis of renters insurance rates, and includes pets, unless a dog or exotic animal is being excluded from coverage.

How to Obtain Pet Liability Insurance

If you have renters insurance:

  • Ask your renters insurance company if your pet is covered under your personal liability coverage.
  • If your pet is covered, be sure you have enough liability insurance to help pay for injuries or property damage your pet may cause to others—remember the average dog bite claim can be nearly $65,000.
  • If your pet is excluded from your renters insurance policy, consider buying a separate pet liability insurance policy.

If you don’t have renters insurance:

  • Look for renters insurance companies that include pet liability insurance in their renters insurance.
  • Be sure to confirm that your pet is not excluded from coverage by speaking with a company representative or agent.
  • You’ll want to determine how much renters insurance you need and then compare renters insurance quotes to find the best deal.
  • You can also consider buying a standalone pet liability insurance policy.

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Renters Insurance With Pets Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need pet liability insurance when renting?

While not legally required, many landlords mandate renters insurance, which typically includes liability coverage for pets under the personal liability renters insurance portion of the policy. Having pet liability insurance is a wise choice since it offers financial protection in unpredictable situations. For example, if your dog bites someone at a park, your pet liability insurance can help pay for the medical bills of the injured person.

Does an umbrella policy cover dogs?

Umbrella insurance can typically cover dogs if your liability insurance in your renters insurance falls short in a large claim. While renters insurance liability coverage limits generally start at $100,000, you can increase the limits in your renters policy. Even if you do, you may want to buy an umbrella insurance policy. If someone files a lawsuit against you due to your dog’s actions, such as a bite, your umbrella insurance can help cover the legal fees and medical costs that exceed the limits of your liability insurance.

Does renters insurance cover pet damage?

Although renters insurance covers damage a pet causes to someone else’s property, it does not cover pet damage to your belongings. For instance, if your dog chews the legs of your dining room chairs, your policy will not cover the repair costs.

Does renters insurance cover pit bulls?

Whether your renters insurance covers pit bulls depends on your specific insurance company. Some insurers have banned dog breed lists that exclude certain dog breeds such as pit bulls. Others will offer coverage unless the dog has a history of biting or aggressive behavior.

When is my pet covered under renters insurance?

If you have renters insurance, the liability portion of the policy will typically cover injuries or damage caused by your pet to others. A pet is not covered by renters insurance when there’s a specific dog or animal liability exclusion attached to the policy. Or there may be an endorsement that limits coverage for the dog. Your policy will outline this, or ask your insurance agent to explain your coverage.

Pet Liability Insurance for Renters 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is pet liability coverage? ›

What is Animal Liability Insurance? Animal Liability Insurance protects you in the event of damages or injuries caused by your dog or other pet that you own. Liability insurance is a form of third-party coverage, meaning that it compensates others – not you or members of your household.

What percentage of pet owners have pet insurance? ›

About half, or 44.6%, of pet owners stated they currently have pet insurance in our survey. On a larger scale, NAPHIA's 2022 State of the Industry Report found that more than 4.41 million pets were insured in North America in 2021, up from 3.45 million in 2020.

Does renters insurance cover if your dog bites someone? ›

Yes, renters insurance typically covers dog bites, unless your dog is on the restricted breeds list or has previously bitten someone. Renters insurance is a good idea for most dog owners, because it covers dog bites and other damage your pet might cause.

What is the animal liability limitation endorsement? ›

An animal liability exclusion endorsement, also known as a canine liability exclusion, specifies that the insurance company will not accept claims or make payouts for animal/dog-related incidents, including property damage caused by animals or dog bite personal injury lawsuits.

Is dog liability insurance worth it? ›

That's why dog liability insurance is a must for any responsible pet owner. If you are held financially responsible for someone else's injuries or property damage caused by your pet, then liability coverage can help pay for the cost — which could quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars.

What are the three types of pet insurance? ›

Pet insurance companies typically divide their products into 3 main categories: accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness coverages. Each level offers specific services that are covered and excluded and will vary by price. Insurance policies are usually broken down by the type of pet being insured.

Are there certain dog breeds that might not be covered by a standard renters insurance policy? ›

Dog breeds banned by home insurance companies often include Doberman Pinschers, pit bulls and Rottweilers. Consider shopping around for insurance companies without breed restrictions or buying a canine liability or umbrella insurance policy if you own a restricted breed.

Does a dog have to be destroyed if it bites someone? ›

You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed. If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to 5 years or fined (or both). If you deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with 'malicious wounding'.

Which insurance is protected if a guest in your house is bitten by your pet dog? ›

Homeowners insurance may cover damages resulting from dog bites through the liability or medical payments coverage portions of your home insurance policy. Medical payments coverage: This coverage pays for medical costs if a guest is injured on your property, regardless of fault.

What is an example of a strict liability animal? ›

"Statutory strict liability" means that a state has a law that establishes that a dog owner is responsible for injury to a person (or sometimes that person's property, which often includes domestic animals and/or livestock) whether or not the owner knew the dog had a "vicious propensity." Essentially, the dog owner has ...

What is the limitation of liability coverage? ›

Liability limits are the maximum dollar amount of damages (“indemnity”) an insurance carrier will pay on your behalf. Limits are broken down into two categories: the per claim limit and the aggregate limit.

What is limited animal liability coverage? ›

Homeowner's insurance typically has the option to include animal liability coverage, which may cover damages or injuries caused by pets. However, this coverage often has limitations: Coverage Limits: The liability limit for pet-related claims may be significantly lower than the general policy limit.

What does having pet insurance mean? ›

Pet insurance is a policy purchased by a pet owner to offset the overall cost of their animal's medical bills. Similar to human health insurance, pet insurance relates specifically to pets and veterinary costs. There may be an out-of-pocket deductible payment before a plan pays a percentage of covered procedures.

Is pet insurance the same as renters insurance? ›

Renters insurance does not cover your pet's health. For that you need to purchase pet insurance. Did you know that when you bundle your Lemonade renters insurance policy with a Lemonade pet insurance policy, you could be eligible for a discount on both policies?

Does pet insurance cover if your dog bites someone? ›

Most homeowners insurance policies in California will generally provide coverage for off-property dog bite incidents because they can pose a liability risk to your home. Pet insurance typically includes liability coverage for dog bites, offering financial protection if your dog injures someone or damages property.

Is pet insurance considered property insurance? ›

Pet insurance functions more like property insurance than health insurance. Unlike health insurance, the policyholder must pay for their pet's healthcare directly, then be reimbursed by the insurance provider. Pet insurance never covers pre-existing conditions.

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