As cute as they are: Pets can cause damage to strangers. That's why every owner should have pet owner liability insurance that protects against financial losses. Read here how the insurance works.

What is the purpose of pet owner liability insurance?

Under US law, private individuals are liable to an unlimited extent with their assets for damage caused by their pets. "He just wants to play!" is often said. But what happens if your Labrador has no peaceful intentions and bites an oncoming passerby? Then the injured party is entitled to compensation. In the worst case, your dog has caught the hand of a pianist who, as a result, can no longer practice her profession. In the case of loss of earnings, the claims can quickly reach sums that threaten the existence of the dog. In such cases, the pet owner's liability insurance will step in.

Benefits of pet owner liability insurance

Animal owner liability covers the consequential costs of all property damage, personal injury and financial loss caused by the insured animal. Thus, pet owner liability primarily offers protection against financial loss. However, it also defends against unjustified claims for damages and pays the associated legal fees and court costs. However, you only need special pet owner liability insurance for larger pets like dogs and horses, more exotic roommates like snakes and spiders, or livestock you keep for agricultural or commercial purposes. Small animals such as cats, birds, hamsters and co. are usually already covered by your private liability insurance.

Costs of an animal owner liability insurance

The premium amount for pet owner liability insurance depends primarily on the type of animal. Dog liability insurance costs between 50 and 100 dollars per year, horse liability insurance costs around 100 to 130 dollars. In the case of dogs, the breed of the animal in particular has an influence on the premiums. For a purebred dachshund, you pay about 50 dollars per year with a deductible of 100 dollars and coverage of 10 million dollars. For comparison, a pit bull costs about 100 dollars per year with the same insurance conditions. For horses, on the other hand, the amount of coverage is crucial: the higher it is set, the more expensive the premiums. Additional benefits also play an important role here: if, for example, the risk of riding a horse by someone else or damage to rented boxes or trailers is included, this also increases the insurance premium.

Reasonable sums insured by the pet owner liability insurance

The recommended minimum amount of coverage for personal injury and property damage is about five million dollars for an animal owner's liability insurance. As the owner, you are thus adequately covered against claims for damages.

Legal situation regarding compulsory insurance for animals

In the United States, there is no general obligation to insure pets, but dogs and more exotic animals are exceptions to this. For dogs, some federal states prescribe an animal owner's liability insurance. The situation is similar for tarantulas, reptiles, etc. In order to be allowed to keep such exotic animals at all, you must meet official requirements that require pet owner liability insurance. The private liability insurance usually offers the possibility to insure the animal for a higher premium.