Nixon & Lindstrom Blog
Pet Liability and Missouri Homeowners Insurance
Keep your dog under control!
A dog bite can be distressing for both the victim and the dog owner. We’ve all heard of horrific dog bite stories, and while the victim deserves most of the sympathy, the dog owner will often feel deeply guilty for the injuries caused. All dogs have the potential to bite a human, which is why it’s vital that every dog owner’s Missouri homeowners insurance policy covers this very thing.
Dog bites often lead to lawsuits, and unless you’re properly covered, you could be paying tens of thousands of dollars in damages. The Insurance Information Institute reported that in 2010, the average dog bite insurance claim was $26,166. Missouri has strict laws surrounding dog bites, where the dog owner is strictly liable if the canine injures someone without provocation.
Check with your Missouri homeowners insurance agent about whether you are covered for dog attacks, what you need to do to be covered, how much your breed of dog will cost to insure, and if your insurer has any restrictions on certain breeds. Pit bulls, Rottweilers and German Shepherds are considered among the more dangerous breeds, but the behavior of a dog is also heavily influenced by how it has been trained.
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