The law in the USA states that a dog owner is liable for all damage caused by his pet to other people, animals or objects. While a torn trouser leg is less of a concern, first injuries or even car accidents caused by the dog can quickly cause major financial damage. A dog owner liability insurance is therefore advisable and in some states now even mandatory.

Basically, the dog liability covers personal injury, property damage and property damage. The insurance number should generally be at least 3 million dollars lump sum for personal injury and property damage. So-called "cover damage" should be included, as well as damage to rented property and damage that occurs during a stay in another EU country.

The cheapest rates are just under 60 Dollars per year. The premium is somewhat lower if an excess of between 100 and 200 Dollars is paid in the event of damage. In principle, the amount of the premium depends not only on the benefits, but also on the breed of the insured dog. For some, as dangerous classified dog breeds, a significantly higher premium is capable.

The dog liability insurance protects you in the following cases, among others:

Physical damage - dog liability

Damage example:

You have invited friends over for a barbecue in your backyard. One of your friends overlooks your sleeping dog while carrying a tray, trips and sustains a compound fracture. The financial damage amounts to several thousand Dollars.

Damage:

approx. $12.000

The dog liability insurance covers the resulting health damage of your friend.

Free running dog

Damage example:

You take your dog for a walk and let it run without a leash. When your dog runs into a child, the child is startled and falls back, injuring its head. The child's parents demand payment of the treatment costs and compensation for pain and suffering.

Damage:

approx. $450

The dog liability insurance covers the treatment costs and the compensation for pain and suffering.

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Which insurance should I choose?

Although the choice of a dog liability insurance does not offer as many stumbling blocks as some other insurance lines, there are still some important things to consider. The amount of coverage should not fall below the limit of $5 million, as well as you should think carefully about how much deductible you can actually afford in case of damage.

In addition, make sure that so-called mating damage is also insured, because if your four-legged friend should impregnate a pedigree bitch unnoticed, the economic damage can amount to several thousand dollars. Equally useful is the insurance of rental property damage, which offers protection not only at home, but also on vacation in case of damage in the hotel or vacation home.