1/3rd of All Claims Nationwide Due to This...

[Justin Bilyj]

Read a good article this morning. One third of all home insurance claims in the nation are due to dog bites. So if you want to help educate your clients, just educating them on this risk could go a long way to keeping claims low and happier clients. My family got sued twice in the 80's for dog bites, I know we woulda appreciated the advice...

 

[AZDave]

1/3 seems a bit high, maybe it is total payout. Certinaly is a high severity in dog bite claims. Over the years I have had my share. My claims have all been from normal dog breeds, not the ones on the 'bad' list. Those little yappy annoying small dogs seem to be my worst.

One claim really irked me. Neighbor was bit by insureds dog and required stitches. Emergency room visit somehow triggered animal control. Insured had to prove up to date shot records, no problem there.

As the claimant was driving home he receives a call from an attorney offering their services. One hour after returning home, he gets a knock on the door; another attorney outfit. Crazy.

Insurance companies get their check book out in a hurry for dog bite claims!

Dave

 

[Justin Bilyj]

Average claim was 22k I read. But seriously it said 1/3rd of all home owner claims are dog bites.

 

[bps]

I think you'll find that refers to Liability claims, not all claims.

 

[insurance1822]

+1 to that (you beat me to it.) It's 30% of all LIABILITY claims. Further detail shows it's predominately children under the age of 5 w/ bites to the face as well.

I have one going on right now where our insured let their piece of $hit son stay w/ them for a period of time. His PITBULL (which had bit 2x before..) bit the son's friend's kid who was visiting. It's going against her homeowners.

They already reserved $100,000. I called up the claim rep (because I don't want my bonus screwed up..) and she said w/ dog bites to children they will ALWAYS get crushed & don't even bother wasting time.

..The pitbull ripped up the kid's lip. He will heal, but he will have a permanent scar.

 

[yaknow1]

Emergency room visit somehow triggered animal control.

Depending on the jurisdiction ER staff are required by law to notify animal control ASAP on bites/injuries.

 

[hesse]

why would you write a homeowners with a dog with a history of 2 bites? pretty sure all of my companies ask if there are any animals and a bite history? we are the first line of underwriting for our companies. some things aren't worth 100 bucks in commission........

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sorry just re-read it and it was the sons dog that they were allowing to stay there that bit the kid.

 

[insurance1822]

^It was an inherited account that was on the book longer then I have been selling insurance. In addition, you're correct in that it was the son's FRIEND'S dog that was at the house.

 

[AZDave]

What companies are you guys using to write the homeowners for owners of dogs on the "bad" list? Who offers animal exclusions in your states?

 

[insurance1822]

Encompass has no unacceptable dog list anymore. Grange requires a dog bite exclusion if they have in unacceptable dog. No other options unless they go to State Farm who apparently operates like encompass & doesn't underwrite dogs