What If Your Homeowners Insurance Denied A Dog Bite Claim?

Dog bites are not something that most homeowners spend much time thinking about, but the reality is that this is one of the most common homeowners insurance claims in the country. It is absolutely vital that you understand Louisiana laws concerning dog bite negligence and how this can affect dog bite claims against your homeowner’s insurance policy.  

Does insurance automatically cover a dog bite claim made against you?

Dogs are arguably the most popular pet in the country, but many people are surprised to learn that there are around 4.7 million dog bites each year in the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one out of every five dog bite victims require medical attention. Dog bite injuries can be severe, and they frequently lead to major insurance payouts, often coming from a person’s homeowners’ insurance carrier. 

However, Louisiana is not a “strict liability” dog bite state when it comes to liability. In a strict liability state, a dog’s owner will be held liable for bite injuries (usually through their homeowner’s insurance) if:

• The person bitten was in a public place or lawfully in a private place, and
• The person bitten did not provoke the dog

However, because Louisiana is not a strict liability dog bite state, the dog’s owner will likely only be liable if:

• The dog had a proven tendency to bite
• Had previously bitten someone 
• The dog owner’s negligence allowed the bite incident to occur

This means that the victim will need to prove liability before the insurance carrier will agree to pay a claim, and the insurance company will do what they can to limit how much they payout in a settlement. Some insurers will increase a person’s premiums or refuse to renew a policy if their dog has bitten someone, or they may exclude the dog from coverage if they have bitten someone. 

We are here to help you through this

If somebody was bitten by a dog on your property and a claim has been filed against your homeowner’s insurance, you need to understand the basics of how this claim will be handled. At Insurance Claim HQ, we are here to help when you need a New Orleans homeowners insurance dog bite claim attorney. Let our team ensure that your insurance carrier properly investigates the case and pays valid claims. Contact us for a free consultation of your case today.