How much do you think a Wisconsin insurance claim for a dog bite would cost? A few hundred dollars? A few thousand dollars? According to a study by the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of a dog bite claim in the U.S. in 2011 was almost $30,000 ($29,396 to be exact). That’s a hefty chunk of change for a feisty Fido!
With one dog for every four people in the United States, dog bites happen on a fairly regular basis. Not only do more people own dogs, but people live closer together, and dog-bite victims are more likely to seek advanced medical care for their bite, such as visiting a plastic surgeon. These factors contribute the rising price in high insurance payouts for dog bites.
Review your Wisconsin homeowner’s insurance policy to determine if you are liable for damages caused by your dog. Although a dog bite may seem trivial, consider this: the Insurance Information Institute found that dog bites accounted for more than one-third of homeowners insurance liability claims in 2011, which amounted to almost $479 million.
Reduce your chances of having a dog bite claim by getting a dog that is appropriate for the area in which you live and training your pooch properly. Contact your experienced Wisconsin insurance agent to go over your policy and make sure you are protected from dog bite claims before it is too late.
-Sam