Pet liability coverage is often a provision in renters insurance policies. Sometimes, it’s a separate coverage option outside of a standard renters insurance policy.
Pet liability insurance covers property damage or injury caused to your pet by a third party. As with any insurance policy, there are coverage limitations and restrictions.
In particular, pet liability insurance does not cover your pet’s medical expenses, even for damages in your rental. When you have both pet liability insurance and pet insurance, you know that your pets are covered when they cause damage to your rental and possibly injure themselves in the process.
When included in a standard renters insurance policy, pet liability coverage is sometimes also limited by sublimits on expenses related to pet accidents. For example, if a renters insurance policy has a liability limit of $100,000, the insurer may pay a pet liability claim fee, which reduces the coverage limit to $25,000.
Many insurance companies may or may not offer coverage for injuries caused by certain breeds of dogs. Commonly excluded dog breeds include:
- Mastiffs
- Pit bulls
- German shepherds
- Doberman pinschers
- Rottweilers
- Akitas
- Great Danes
- Staffordshire Terriers
This is not an exhaustive list, so be sure to ask your renters insurance company for specific exclusions.
Additionally, the company may deny coverage to dogs with a history of bites. An insurance agent may require you to sign a pet waiver through your renters policy, which means that your pet’s injuries will not be covered by your renters insurance policy.
If any of these restrictions apply to your situation, you can explore a specific dog liability insurance policy designed for high-risk dog breeds. It is common for insurance companies to deny coverage for injuries caused by farm animals or exotic pets.
Renters insurance review
Renters insurance covers damage to the house or apartment you rent. Renters policies generally cover damage to the rental structure, damage to your personal property, and fees for taking legal action against the tenant. There are three different types of coverage in a renters policy:
- personal belongings; Costs to repair or replace your belongings, such as furniture, clothing or electronics, following damage or theft
- Liability: Costs related to damages, injuries and legal fees when you are responsible for an accident
- Additional Living Expenses: Temporary living expenses if your place of residence is uninhabitable due to damage from a covered event
Does renters insurance include pet liability coverage?
Most rental insurance policies have some coverage for damage left behind by a pet. However, some insurance companies will not cover the cost of damages caused by non-excluded animals, such as exotic pets or a specific breed of dog.
Renters insurance coverage generally does not cover medical expenses related to pet injuries, even if the injury occurs in or near the rental. Pet insurance is a separate policy that covers pet health expenses.