Renters Insurance for Dog Owners in New York

Dogs are the most popular pet in the United States. In fact, over 48 million American households own a dog. It’s easy to see why dogs are so popular; they are loyal, playful, and sociable. Dogs, on the other hand, are a major responsibility, and if they attack someone or destroy someone else’s property, you might face serious consequences. If you do not own a home and are currently renting one, you should learn more about renters insurance and how it can protect you if your pet injures someone or damages someone else’s property.

Does the tenants insurance policy cover dogs?

A lot of people believe that renters insurance only protects personal belongings and damage to the place where you live. Most renters insurance providers include liability coverage for your dogs as part of your policy. In fact, renters insurance does not only cover damage caused by dogs, it also provides coverage for damages caused by cats and other pets. Cats are the second most popular pet in the country, more than 25 millions American households own a cat. Keep in mind that not all dog breeds or some exotic animals are covered by all insurance providers. 

Dog liability insurance for renters

Your renters insurance policy will include personal liability coverage that can be divided into two categories:

Physical harm liability

Your renters insurance policy will cover medical bills and other expenses incurred if someone is injured in your rented home. This includes injuries caused by your pet. For example, if your dog bites one of your guests, the medical expenses can be covered by the insurance company up to your policy limits. Furthermore, some insurance will cover dog-related injuries even if the incident did not occur in your home or apartment. That means that if your dog attacks someone while you are out for a walk, your renters insurance will cover the financial consequences.

Liability for damage to third-party property 

Tenants insurance protects you if someone else’s property is harmed, even if the damage was caused by your pet. Imagine that you host a little reunion with some friends, and your dog destroys your friend’s laptop while you and your friends are distracted. Your renters insurance may cover the price of repair or replacement. This coverage extends to harm caused by your pet outside of your home or apartment. So, if your dog inadvertently enters your neighbor’s flat and damages their TV, your renters insurance coverage will pay the cost.

What does renter’s insurance commonly exclude?

Even though renters insurance provides coverage for many types of incidents, there are some things that are usually not covered by most policies. 

• Damage to your rental home caused by your pet: It is critical to note that your renters insurance coverage will cover damage to other people’s property caused by your pet. If your dog causes damage to your rental house, you will be responsible for the repairs, or your landlord may choose to make the repairs and cover the costs with your security deposit.
• Injuries that your pet causes to you or your family: Similarly to the previous example, renters insurance will only cover the medical expenditures of the injured party if they do not live in your rental home. This implies that if you or a member of your family who lives with you is attacked by your own pet, your insurance will not cover the medical costs.
• Damage to your personal belongings caused by your pet: If your dog destroys your furniture or breaks your TV, your renters insurance policy will not cover any costs to repair or replace your personal property.

Which dog breeds are not covered by renters insurance?

There is a common belief that some dog breeds are more dangerous than others. As a result, some insurance companies will refuse to provide coverage for certain dog breeds. Even if many people disagree, it is true that the breed of your dog may have an impact on your renters insurance coverage. Here is a list of dog breeds that are usually considered to be “dangerous”:

• Pit Bull
• Rottweiler
• German Shepherd
• Akita
• Chow Chow
• Siberian Husky 
• Alaskan Malamute
• Doberman

There are also some exotic pets that your insurance carrier may consider as dangerous and will deny coverage for them too: 

• Snakes
• Lizards
• Large cats 
• Monkeys

If you own a pet that your renters insurance will not offer coverage for, you might be interested in getting a separate insurance policy for them. 

Renters Insurance vs Pet Insurance

Some people mix up renters insurance and pet insurance, but they are not the same thing. Renters insurance, like we have explained, is used to cover expenses that your pet may cause in case they attack someone or damage someone else’s property. However, renters insurance will not cover veterinary bills in case your pet is injured or gets sick. Pet insurance, on the other hand, works similarly to your own health insurance. It will cover veterinary bills in case your pet suffers an accident or gets sick.

What can Greenberg & Stein PC do for me?

A dog bite can be a very unpleasant experience that can also bring costly medical bills. If you are currently dealing with a dog bite case, it is important to seek legal advice. Greenberg & Stein P.C. is a prestigious law firm in New York. We have attorneys with vast experience handling dog bite cases. We have helped numerous clients in the past and now we can help you. Contact us at 212-681-2535 to schedule a free consultation to review your case.

Related Articles:

• What Is Suffolk County Dog Bite Law?
• My Neighbors Dog Bit Me – What Do I Do?
• How Long Does It Take For A Dog Bite Settlement?
• Dog Bite Settlement Calculator