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Written byAly J. Yale
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National Association of Real Estate Editors member
Bylines include Forbes, Bankrate, and CBS News
Aly is a reporter specializing in real estate, mortgages, and personal finance. You can find her work in Hearst newspapers and numerous financial publications.
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Updated July 22, 2024
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Table of contents
Table of contents
If you rent a property and own a pet, your furry friend may be a liability. Pets can potentially damage the rental or surrounding property or hurt someone in your community.
Either way, pet liability insurance can help. While some renters insurance policies include coverage for pets under general liability coverage, you can also buy a separate pet liability insurance policy.
Keep in mind that pet liability insurance isn’t the same as pet insurance, which covers pet health costs.[1] Read on to learn more about liability insurance for your pet.
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Does renters insurance cover pet liability?
Standard renters insurance policies include liability coverage that can extend to damage and injury caused by pets on the property in some cases. It’s important to read your policy closely to know exactly what it covers.
Sometimes, policies will exclude coverage for exotic pets, un-neutered male dogs, and certain dog breeds more prone to biting. These policies also exclude damage to your own personal property and injuries to you.[2]
If your renters policy doesn’t cover you if your pet injures someone or damages property, you may want to get a separate pet liability insurance policy to protect yourself.
What pet liability insurance covers
Pet liability insurance covers legal costs and medical expenses if your pet injures another person. It can also cover the repairs and replacement costs if the pet damages someone’s property or another pet.
Pet liability insurance can cover you in a broad spectrum of situations, including the following scenarios:
Dog bites to people or other pets
Cat scratches
Medical costs for an injured party
Damage to the rental property
Legal expenses if someone sues you due to your pet’s actions
Costs to replace others’ property that your pet damages
Good to Know
Renters insurance policies include liability coverage for bodily injuries and property damage, which can cover some situations when your pet injures someone else or damages another’s property. But this coverage often has exceptions and limitations.
Pet liability insurance exclusions
Pet liability insurance covers damages and injuries to third parties, but it doesn’t cover your injuries or damages to your personal property. Though standard renters policies may exclude certain breeds of dogs, weights, and types of animals, most dedicated pet liability policies don’t.
Keep in mind that pet liability insurance isn’t health insurance for your pet, so it won’t cover accidents that injure your pet. Additionally, renters insurance liability coverage that includes pet damage doesn’t usually include what your pet does to your property. Personal liability coverage usually only applies to damage to other peoples’ property.
How pet liability insurance cost for renters is calculated
Depending on factors like where you live and the type of coverage you have, the average cost of pet liability insurance might be as low as $9 per month or as high as $73 per month.
Here’s a look at the factors that affect your pet liability insurance policy:
Coverage limits
Your policy’s limits will play a big role in your premiums. The more coverage you get, the more you’ll pay.
Deductible choices
A higher deductible will usually result in a lower premium. A lower deductible, which means the insurance company has to pay more, will come with a higher premium.
Location
Where you live — and how expensive medical and legal costs are in the area — can also affect your insurance premiums.
Type, weight, and history of your pet
The breed and size of your pet affect your premiums, as well as any previous bite history. If it’s bitten someone before, you may pay a higher premium.[3]
Your insurer
Premiums and coverage options vary by insurance company, so you’ll want to shop around for your policy. Considering several pet liability and renters insurance companies will give you the best coverage and premiums.
Previous claims
If you’ve previously filed any pet liability claims, it can make your premiums more expensive.[4]
Generally speaking, the less coverage you choose and the higher your deductible, the less you’ll pay for pet liability insurance.
Do you need pet liability insurance even if you have pet insurance?
Pet coverage and pet liability insurance aren’t the same thing. Pet insurance covers the costs of veterinary care and other health-related services for an animal. Liability insurance, on the other hand, protects you against damage and injuries that your pet causes.
You don’t legally need to buy pet liability insurance, but it can protect your pocketbook. Without it, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for any legal or medical costs if your pet bites or injures someone and they decide to pursue compensation. You’d also need to pay for any property damage your pet causes.
You may not need additional coverage if your pet is rarely around others or doesn’t leave the house. Owners of smaller pets, who likely can’t do as much damage, also might not need it.
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How to handle pet-related incidents as a renter
If you have a pet and live in a rental property or apartment, pet-related incidents may occur.
When this happens, you should take the following steps:
Document the incident. Take pictures and write down the date, time, and nature of the incident. You’ll need these for claims purposes.
Report it to your landlord or property manager. Depending on the nature of the issue, you may need to notify your landlord. Check your lease documents for more information.
File a claim. If your pet has damaged property or injured someone, you can file a claim with your renters insurance, if the policy covers it. If you have a pet liability policy, you can file with them.
Talk to an attorney. If your pet injures someone, you may need to seek legal advice from an attorney.
Make sure you’re familiar with your property owner’s rules regarding pets. Being a responsible pet owner can also help. Take steps to pet-proof your home and give your animals plenty of exercise to prevent them from causing damage out of boredom.
Pet liability insurance FAQs
Pet liability insurance isn’t a requirement, but you might want to purchase it if your pet could injure someone or damage another person’s property. Learn more below.
What is animal liability on renters insurance?
Some renters coverage policies include animal liability insurance for injuries and damages your pet causes to third parties. These policies may also exclude certain breeds, weights, and types of animals.
Can you get pet liability insurance?
Yes. You can get a separate pet liability insurance policy. This will cover the costs of medical bills and legal costs if someone your pet injured sues you. It can also cover any damage to property your pet causes.
Should you get pet liability insurance?
It might be a good idea to get pet liability insurance coverage if your renters insurance doesn’t cover animals or excludes your dog breed or animal. If there’s a chance your animal may bite someone or is prone to damaging property, you might also want to purchase a policy.
Does your renters insurance cover if your dog bites someone?
Renters insurance typically covers dog bite injuries, though coverage may exclude certain dog breeds and weights. Check the fine print of your policy or ask your insurance agent to confirm.
Does Lemonade renters insurance cover pit bulls?
Lemonade doesn’t cover damage or injuries caused by high-risk breeds, which include pit bulls and German shepherds. Dog owners with these specific dog breeds may want separate pet liability coverage.
Related articles
- Cost of Owning a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel : Purchase, Vet Bills, and More
- Cost of Owning a Bichon Frise : Purchase, Vet Bills, and More
- Cost of Owning a Siberian Husky : Purchase, Vet Bills, and More
- Cost of Owning a Belgian Malinois : Purchase, Vet Bills, and More
- Cost of Owning a Pomeranian : Purchase, Vet Bills, and More
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- Cost of Owning a Shih Tzu : Purchase, Vet Bills, and More
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts about pet insuranc."
- Progressive. "Does renters insurance cover pets?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Spotlight on: Dog bite liability."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Insuring Your Business: Small Business Owners' Guide to Insurance."
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Aly J. Yale
Aly J. Yale is a freelance writer and reporter covering real estate, mortgages, and personal finance. Her work has been published in Forbes, Business Insider, Money, CBS News, US News & World Report, and The Miami Herald. She has a bachelor’s degree in radio-TV-film and news-editorial journalism from the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at TCU and is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Editors.
Aly has been a contributor at Insurify since September 2023.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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