Dog bites and other dog related injuries result in about $530 million in insurance claims per year
According to the Insurance Information Institute, dogs are the root cause of roughly a third of all home insurance claims per year, costing insurance providers about $530 million in benefits. And despite the fact that the total number of dog bites and other incidents is trending downward, the cost of the resulting insurance claims for dog related injuries is on the rise.
With the assistance of State Farm, the largest homeowners insurance provider in the US, the Insurance Information Institute analyzed dog related injury claim data for the years 2003 to 2014. They found that:
- The overall number of dog bite and injury claims decreased 4.7 percent between 2013 and 2014
- The average cost per claim increased 15 percent from 2013 to 2014
- The average cost per claim increased 67 percent from 2003 to 2014
What Is Driving This Trend?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, a combination of factors is driving this increase in the cost of dog related injury claims. First of all, there is the simple fact that medical costs are also increasing. Because insurance settlements, as well as judgments and jury awards from dog bite injury lawsuits, are based on medical costs, it is obvious that rising medical costs are going to result in larger claims.
Secondly, the Insurance Information Institute points out that there have been more claims related to dogs knocking down children, senior citizens, and cyclists, which can result in serious injuries such as fractures or even head injuries. This also drives up the average cost per claim.
Dog Attack Claims in California
In 2014, California had the highest number of dog related injury claims in the country. There were 1,867 claims at an average cost of $33,649 per claims. Considering that these figures are not adjusted for population, it makes sense that a populous state like California would top the list. It does not necessarily mean you are at a greater risk of a dog bite or other injury in our state.
However, you should still be aware of your rights in case you are ever bitten, tripped, knocked down, or otherwise injured by a dog. California law makes owners strictly liable for all injuries that their pets cause without provocation. The dog does not have to be previously known to be dangerous.
If you are injured, you need to:
- Identify the dog and owner
- Get medical treatment
- Take pictures of your injuries
- Contact an experienced dog attack injury attorney ASAP
Remember, Fernando D. Vargas is here to answer your questions and provide any necessary assistance in helping you to secure maximum compensation for dog bites and other injuries. Call our office at 909-982-0707 for a free case evaluation.
