What Is Dog Bite Liability Insurance?

Dog bite liability insurance is intended to cover injuries from dog bites. But does it provide the benefits an injured person needs?

Dog bites occur frequently and often cause injuries. Each day, more than 1,000 people are attacked by dogs in the United States, resulting in more than 850,000 dog bite victims seeking medical care for their injuries. 

Many homeowner’s insurance policies provide dog bite liability insurance coverage. These policies cover an animal owner’s liability, up to the policy limits, which typically range between $100,000 and $300,000. If damages exceed the policy limits, the dog’s owner must supply the difference.

At the Chicago dog bite law firm of Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we proudly represent individuals who were attacked by vicious dogs, helping them secure the monetary compensation they need to begin the process of moving on with their lives.

Dog Bite Liability Insurance Statistics

With approximately 88 million dogs in the United States, dog bites are more common than most people realize. Each year, about 4.5–4.7 million Americans are bitten, and roughly 20 percent of those bites become infected. In 2024, some 4.5 million people were bitten and over 800,000 dog bite victims required medical attention, and tragically, there were 96 dog-bite–related fatalities, marking a substantial rise compared to past averages.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 2024 saw 22,658 dog-related injury claims nationwide, up 19 percent from 19,062 in 2023. Insurers paid out $1.57 billion total, with an average claim cost in Illinois of $64,941, an 18 percent jump from the previous year.

Illinois is in the top ten among states for dog bite claims.

Common Illinois Dog Bite Injuries

Children under age 15 are more likely to be bitten by dogs than adults or elderly individuals, according to a National Institutes of Health study. Young children are also more likely to need emergency room care than older teens or adults. 

Dog bite or dog attack injuries can include:

• Lacerations, which can lead to scarring or disfigurement. When a dog’s teeth tear human flesh, they can cause significant damage to skin, muscles, and nerves. Scars from dog bites tend to be more pronounced because the edges are often jagged and difficult to repair cleanly.
• Infections. Germs in a dog’s saliva may be injected deep into the body when the dog’s teeth puncture the skin. Many diseases and infections can be transmitted in this way. Some, such as MRSA, are difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance or other factors. 
• Broken bones. Large dogs may have powerful jaws strong enough to snap bones. Even if the dog doesn’t bite, the dog’s size and weight may knock a person down, which can also cause broken bones and other injuries.
• Psychological injuries. Being attacked by a dog is a terrifying experience. For victims of dog attacks, lingering fear, depression, anxiety, and other post-traumatic stress symptoms may interfere with the person’s ability to carry out daily tasks. Post-attack psychological injuries may be especially prevalent in children. 

Other injuries may also occur during a dog bite or dog attack. A dog that knocks a person down, for instance, may cause head or back injuries. Damage from a dog bite or other injury can cause permanent loss of mobility, sensation, and other functions in various body parts. While few dog bites are lethal, many cause lifelong medical issues. 

What Does Dog Bite Liability Insurance Cover?

Dog bite liability insurance generally covers medical bills and other losses caused by a dog bite. The specific items covered and the amounts the insurance company will pay are included in the insurance agreement. 

Dog owners typically have two choices for insurance. They can purchase special dog bite liability insurance, which focuses on dog bites and related injuries. Or they can rely on their homeowners’ insurance. Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover damages caused by dogs who live in the home, even if a bite occurs outside the home.

Not all homeowners’ insurance policies cover dog bites, however, and not all dog bite coverage applies to all dog attacks. For example, some insurance companies exclude “dangerous” breeds of dogs from coverage. Breeds commonly excluded from coverage include:

• Akitas
• Alaskan Malamutes
• American Staffordshire Terriers
• Boxers
• Chow Chows
• Doberman Pinschers
• German Shepherds
• Great Danes
• Mastiffs
• Perro de Presa Canarios
• Pit Bulls
• Rottweilers
• Siberian Huskies

When an animal not included under a homeowner’s insurance policy attacks another person, the insurance company will not cover the expenses. 

A pet owner can typically be held liable for a dog bite whether or not they have insurance. If the owner doesn’t have insurance, it may be more difficult for the injured person to collect compensation. The homeowner may or may not have sufficient assets to compensate a dog bite victim for their injuries.

Recovering Compensation After a Dog Bite

If you have been seriously hurt after being attacked by a dog, you have a few different ways you can pursue a compensation claim. 

Homeowners or Renters Insurance

For most dog bite victims, the first step is to file a claim with the dog owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy. These policies frequently cover injuries from dog bites and other dog attacks. This is the most common route for seeking compensation after a dog bite or other injury.

Insurance coverage benefits both dog owners and injury victims. When insurance covers medical bills and other losses, the injured person receives the compensation they need. Many policies offer enough coverage to fully compensate the injured person. Because the insurance pays for these losses, the dog owner risks only an amount beyond the limits of the insurance coverage.

Dog Bite Liability Insurance

Some homeowners’ and renters’ policies exclude injuries from dog bites. Dog owners may compensate for this exclusion by purchasing special dog bite liability insurance. If the dog owner has this coverage, an injured person may file a claim. The dog bite liability insurance policy will specify how much the insurance company will pay and for which losses. 

Whether a dog owner has homeowners, renter’s, or dog bite liability insurance, getting compensation can be challenging. The insurance may cover the full amount of your losses – but insurance companies often work hard to avoid paying claims. You may face stalling tactics or unfair denial of your claim. To keep your claim moving, it’s best to work with an experienced Illinois dog bite injury lawyer. 

Other Avenues for Compensation

If you’re bitten by a dog and the owner has no insurance coverage, receiving compensation may be more difficult – but it is not impossible. You have other options for compensation. 

First, you may bring your claim against the dog’s owner directly. In Illinois, a dog’s owner is liable if their pet injures another person, even if the dog has never acted aggressively before. 

When you sue the dog’s owner directly, your ability to recover compensation depends on the available assets the dog’s owner has. If the dog’s owner has few or no assets, you may have no way to collect a judgment even if you receive one. Unfortunately, many dog owners who don’t have insurance forego coverage because they don’t have the money to purchase it – which means they also don’t have the money to pay a judgment.

If the dog owner is a renter, you may also consider filing a claim against the owner’s landlord. A landlord who knows their tenant has a dangerous dog but fails to prevent dog attacks may be held liable for injuries in some cases. 

Dog bite cases may seem straightforward in principle; however, they can often become quite complicated once insurance companies get involved. If you have been the victim of a Chicago dog attack, reach out to a top-rated personal injury lawyer for assistance.

Contact the Chicago Dog Bite Lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg

If you, your child, or another family member recently suffered serious injuries stemming from a dog bite or attack, reach out to the Chicago dog bite lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg to schedule a free consultation. Since 1987, we have been helping injury victims seek meaningful compensation that allows them to move on with their lives after suffering serious injuries. 

As part of the Briskman Guarantee, we will never charge you for our legal representation unless and until we can help you recover compensation for your injuries. In most cases, we will even advance all the litigation costs, meaning you do not need to