Home / Dog bite insurance
Who pays for a dog bite?
Usually it’s not the dog owner’s own pocket. It’s their homeowners or renters insurance.
How it usually works
Most homeowners and renters policies include personal liability coverage that can pay for injuries caused by the policyholder’s dog, including off the property. The claim is made against the owner, and their insurer usually handles it.
Common problems
| Issue | What it means |
|---|---|
| Breed or dog exclusions | Some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a bite history |
| Coverage limits | Serious injuries can exceed the policy limit |
| Renter with no policy | There may be no insurance at all |
| Landlord’s policy | Usually doesn’t cover a tenant’s dog, except in narrow situations |
| Business property | The business’s general liability policy may apply |
You still have to prove the claim
Insurance pays only if Georgia’s dog bite rules are met, such as showing the dog was dangerous and the owner knew or violated a leash law. See Georgia dog bite law.
Get the owner’s insurance information along with their name, address and the dog’s vaccination records.
Hurt on someone else’s property?
Free case review with Talal Perez Ghosheh. English or Spanish.