Here are two sobering facts you should know about your four-legged friends: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, dog bites injure more than 4.5 million people each year.

On the insurance side of the tale, a single dog bite can create a major expense. In 2013, the Insurance Information Institute quoted the average cost for dog bite claims as $27,862.

Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically cover dog-bite liability as part of the standard policy’s liability coverage, which can range from a limit of $100,000 to $500,000. This means that the dog owner is responsible for any additional damages (e.g., legal costs). However, while most insurance companies cover dogs, some breeds are difficult to insure. Moreover, if the animal has had a previous incident, coverage for that dog could be denied.

Additional coverages (e.g., a liability policy to provide no-fault medical coverage; personal liability coverage; personal excess liability policy; umbrella liability policy, etc.) are available to protect you if you have a furry friend. Give our agency a call so we can walk you through your options and provide you with the best insurance policy for your needs.