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Dog bites might be compensable under renter’s insurance policies

On Behalf of | Oct 25, 2017 | Dog Bites, Firm News |

People who visit someone with a dog don’t ever expect that the dog will turn on them. Sadly, canine bites from pet dogs do happen sometimes. When this is the case, the victim will have to determine how to handle the situation. In most cases, the priority is getting medical care for the injuries. Once that is done, the question that comes up involves determining who is going to pay for the medical care and other damages.

If the person is a homeowner, you might decide to find out if they have a homeowner’s insurance policy. You might think that you are financially doomed if the person is a renter; however, renter’s insurance policies will sometimes cover dog bites, as long as the person has a policy.

If the person does have a renter’s insurance policy, you have to find out if there is coverage for dog bites. Some policies will cover dog bites only if the person declared that they have a dog. The only way to determine this is to either review the policy or to contact the insurance company.

Dog bite injuries can range from minor to severe. Just because a bite doesn’t look too bad doesn’t mean that it isn’t. It is possible to suffer scarring, disfigurement, infection and nerve damage. All of these can happen even if the bite looks minor.

In the absence of an insurance policy to cover your damages for the bite, you will have to turn to a lawsuit against the pooch’s owner. This is done through the civil court system. Your claim can include a variety of different damages types, including medical bills and lost wages.

Source: FindLaw, “Renters Insurance and Dog Bites: What You Need to Know,” accessed Oct. 25, 2017