How Dog Bite Claims Can Affect Your Insurance Rates

You love your dog. It greets you with a wagging tail when you come home and curls up at your feet when you watch a movie.

But as much as you love your fur baby, dogs are still animals. They can react in unexpected ways when they get scared, startled, or hurt. Even the sweetest, most gentle dog can have a bad day.

And if it actually bites someone, you have to pay for the injuries. In 2024 alone, U.S. insurers paid out a staggering $1.6 billion in dog-related injury claims across 22,658 incidents.

Filing a claim helps pay for the bills at that moment. But it can affect how much you pay for your coverage each month. Here, we’ll walk you through how dog bite claims can affect your home insurance rates.

The Rising Financial Stakes of Canine Companionship

Dog bites happen more often than you think. Every year, millions of people in the United States are bitten by dogs. Many of these bites are minor, but some bites require a trip to the hospital.

According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, U.S. insurance companies paid $1.86 billion for dog injury claims in 2025. That is a huge amount of money.

The number of actual claims went up, too. In 2025, people filed 28,450 claims for dog bites and other dog-related injuries. That number is 25% higher than the previous year. It shows that dog-related accidents are becoming a bigger issue for insurance firms.

Not surprisingly, many pet parents opt for dog bite insurance. It protects them from huge financial burdens if their dog injures a person, harms another animal, or damages property.

Specifically, a dog bite insurance policy covers bodily injuries, third-party property damage, veterinary bills for other animals, and legal defense costs. Note, though, that responsible ownership and proper socialization can prevent dog bite incidents.

As Dr. Amy Pike Bailey, a veterinary behaviorist, notes, “We don’t want people having hard feelings about their pets. But as I’ve said, there’s a lot of times when these hard feelings are caused by us, but they’re the ones who suffer the ramifications.” (Forbes, April 2026)

How a Dog Bite Claim Affects Your Insurance Premium

Here’s how a dog bite claim affects your insurance premium:

1. You Have to Pay a Premium Surcharge

The most direct effect of a dog bite claim is a premium surcharge. A surcharge is an extra fee that the insurance company adds to your base bill.

When an insurance company pays out $65,000 for a bite, it wants to recover that money over time. They do this by raising your yearly premium. The exact amount your price goes up depends on your insurance company and the state where you live.

However, it is very common to see your premium rise by 20% to 50% after a dog bite claim. The average cost of a claim jumped 18% in just one year, going from $58,545 in 2023 to $69,272 in 2024.

That extra cost does not go away quickly either. Most insurance companies will keep that surcharge on your bill for three to five years. If you pay an extra 500 dollars a year for five years, that is $2,500.

2. You Might Lose Your Standard Policy Discounts

Many policies offer discounts for things like a clean claims history, bundling home and auto, installing securi t y systems, or being a long-time loyal customer.

When you file a dog bite claim, your claims-free discount vanishes instantly. Insurance companies usually require you to go three to five years without a single claim to earn this reward. Losing this discount means your base rate goes up before any extra surcharges are even added.

These discounts often save you 10% to 20% on your premium. When you lose the discount and get a surcharge at the same time, your bill skyrockets.

3. A Canine Liability Exclusion Might Be Added to Your Policy

Sometimes, an insurance company does not want to raise your price. Instead, they might want to get rid of the risk entirely. They can do this by adding a canine liability exclusion to your policy.

An exclusion is a specific rule that says the company will not pay for certain types of accidents. If they add a dog exclusion, it means your policy will no longer cover any injuries caused by your dog.

The company might tell you that they will renew your policy, but only if you sign this exclusion form. If you sign it, you agree that you are on your own if your dog bites someone else.

This creates a huge financial danger for you. You will have to pay all costs out of your own pocket if your dog bites someone.

FAQs

1. Will my rates go up if my dog only bites once?

Yes. Even a single claim often triggers a 20% to 50% premium increase for 3 to 5 years, regardless of severity.

2. Can I switch insurance companies after a dog bite claim?

Yes, but new insurers may deny coverage, charge higher rates, or require a breed restriction/exclusion.

3. Does homeowners’ insurance cover dog bites automatically?

Most standard policies include liability coverage, but many companies now exclude certain breeds or add restrictions.

Your dog gives unconditional love every day. It is your job to keep them safe, keep the people around them safe, and protect your home from financial ruin.

Keep a close eye on your pup, watch how they act around guests, and check your insurance options today.

Taking these steps is the absolute best way to enjoy your furry friend for years. You can live happily together without any scary financial surprises down the road.

Author Profile

Adam Regan: Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 7 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com