According to the American Pet Products Association, at least one pet is owned by 67 percent of American homes. A dog is owned by 63.4 million homes, whereas 42.7 million households own a cat.
Your pet is more than a pet; it is a part of the family. This makes it impossible to see your dog as a potential liability. Unfortunately, even the most well-loved, well-trained, and well-cared-for pets can create an accident.
An innocuous nip or digging on your neighbor’s property might end in a complicated, time-consuming, and even catastrophic lawsuit. Pet-related damage is the most common reason for homeowners’ insurance claims.
As a result, having animal liability coverage is an essential element of being a responsible pet owner—the pet liability insurance costs around $100 upto $1000. The cost of insurance depends on the breed or species of the pet.
Insurers will cost you more if you have a generally known ferocious pet because it is more likely to be risky than a friendly pet. So you will require good pet liability insurance to assure the coverage of any harm or damage your pet does.
So, If you are wondering how you will find good pet liability insurance? Don’t worry; you have come to the right place – we’ve got you covered. Here we handpicked the most satisfactory Pet liability insurance for renters.
What Are Pet Liability Insurance’s Coverage And Coverage Exclusions?
Pet liability insurance assists you with the damage your pet has done. Either it’s the property or a visitor, or your neighbor.
If your pet has scratched a visitor, they can file a claim through your insurance carrier. And the medical expenses will further be settled by the insurance company.
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Pet liability cannot cover severe damage or harm to property belongings or a human being. For example, if your pet severely bitten or scratched a human being or other dog.
Does Your Renters Insurance Cover Pet Liability?
All renters require insurance; however, if you have a pet, check your policy and state legislation for details on pet liability insurance.
Most renters’ insurance policies generally cover pet liability. Renters insurance is an easy way to protect your legal liability if you or your pet cause injuries or property damage to others.
We strongly advise you to look for an individual policy for renters with pets if you are a tenant. Liability coverage is helpful since it covers a variety of occurrences for which you may be held liable.
Checkout The Best Pet Liability Insurance Companies In 2022
Pet liability insurance companies offer coverage for your pets’ damages. Mainly when you are a renter with your pet, your responsibility increases immensely.
You are required to take care of the activities of your pet. You will be held responsible if your pet harms someone or the property you’re renting currently.
We’ve spotted pet liability insurance companies for renters to relieve a fraction of that burden or responsibility.
Just check every company so you can clearly understand your needs and requirements.
Choose whichever fits your pockets and needs.
1. State Farm
State Farm is one of the finest companies for renters insurance overall due to its extensive availability, ease of use when receiving a quotation, and financial stability.
State Farm provides nationwide renters insurance coverage at low prices with flexible policy options. Reductions for several policies are available, as are discounts for adding a home security system.
Because of its financial strength and capacity to pay claims, this insurer has received an A++ rating from AM Best and an A.A. rating from S&P Global Ratings.
Renters insurance from State Farm covers a wide range of losses and pays loss of use if the property is rendered uninhabitable following a loss.
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It does not cover property damage, water damage caused by flooding, or damage caused by earthquakes, landslides, settling, deterioration, or animal activity.
You may purchase add-on coverage, such as pet medical insurance and identity restoration.
2. MetLife
MetLife is another well-known company that provides renters insurance. Basic insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing property up to the actual cash worth.
Additional coverage for specialty products such as electronics, musical instruments, luxury items, and sports equipment is offered for up to $15,000.
MetLife renters insurance is offered in all 50 states, with regular plans ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 in liability coverage.
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Certain businesses and membership groups provide discounts that might help you save money on premiums. You may also save money by purchasing multiple policies.
MetLife provides customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you want a thorough quotation, you’ll need to contact a MetLife representative to learn about your coverage choices, and Online prices are offered for basic coverage only.
3. American Family Insurance
American Family Insurance offers a good value because the decreasing deductible significantly contributes to an already fair cost while still qualifying for other discounts.
Renters may get affordable coverage from American Family Insurance. It protects personal property, medical expenses, pet liabilities, replacement payments for stolen belongings, and hotel accommodations.
Add-on coverage is offered for pet medical insurance, identity theft protection, and coverage for a home office or home business space.
Several methods to purchase renters insurance at a lower cost include multi-policy discounts, smart home price reductions, and autopay savings. Bundling your renter’s insurance policy with your vehicle insurance might save you up to 15%, equivalent to what other providers offer in terms of discounts.
Reduced coverage can lower your deductible as long as you keep your policy active, which is another way to save money on renters insurance.
4. Farmers Insurance
Farmers provide a comprehensive range of insurance coverages, including renters insurance, making it a one-stop shop for insurance.
You may insure yourself as a tenant, motorbikes, automobiles, pets, gadgets, and even your identity.
According to J.D. Power, farmers outperform the national average regarding claim satisfaction. Standard renters insurance plans are available, with savings for installing surveillance equipment. Personal responsibility, personal property, maintenance costs for private property, medical payments, identity theft, and additional living expenses are all covered.
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Renters’ plans can be combined with the car, umbrella, life, and other insurance policies.
You may acquire a quotation and make a claim online if you have a covered loss. Farmers have a B++ grade from AM Best, indicating their financial health and operational capability.
If you have concerns about your insurance or need assistance filing a claim, customer support is accessible seven days a week. Furthermore, claims support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
5. Nationwide
Nationwide provides basic renters insurance, including personal property coverage, loss of use coverage, pet liability coverage, medical payments to others, building additions and changes coverage, and unauthorized credit card charges.
Coverage for jewels and collectibles, earthquakes, water damage, and theft protection for personal things kept in a car, trailer, or boat can also be added.
Discounts are possible if you have numerous Nationwide insurance policies or if your house contains defensive equipment such as smoke alarms or a burglar alarm system.
You can also obtain a discount if you keep your coverage claim-free. One additional benefit is the On Your Side Analysis, which allows you to receive a tailored review of your insurance to verify that you have adequate coverage.
Nationwide has an outstanding add-on package for high-value things like collectibles.
6. Toggle
Toggle provides complete coverage for home-based entrepreneurs and digital nomads.
If you operate a home company or a side hustle, you’ll want to secure items like laptops, cameras, and other business equipment and supplies.
Toggle’s renter’s insurance protects you no matter where you are, so whether you’re a digital nomad who travels for work or operates a business from your living room.
You will be protected against insured incidents like losing your laptop in an airport, being robbed abroad, or a pet that has damaged your electronics.
You may also include coverage for your pets and identity theft. A toggle will lower your deductible each year you are covered and do not submit a claim to help you save money on a claim.
7. Liberty Mutual Insurance
Liberty Mutual focuses on delivering on its promise by making it easy to make a claim online using a step-by-step process via its portal that requests incident data and images.
It also provides good renters insurance, with reductions available when you bundle coverage or go five years without filing a claim.
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Liability coverage, personal property, medical payments, and additional living expenses are standard features of standard plans.
You may add coverage for personal property replacement fees, jewels, or earthquake damage if you want extra coverage. Online quotes are accessible, and the organization operates in all 50 states, so you can acquire coverage no matter where you rent.
Claims may be filed online or through the Liberty Mutual mobile app 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it only takes five to ten minutes to get your claim started, reducing the time it takes to get a check.
8. Erie Insurance
Personal property and liability coverage and living costs coverage are available from Erie Insurance for renters in eligible states.
While Erie Insurance doesn’t cover as many states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.).
It does provide excellent customer service if you need to file a claim or have questions about your policy.
Discounts are possible when you bundle insurance with Erie, with over 13,000 agents on hand to assist you.
Most policies are within most people’s budgets. Get a quotation from an agent and explore which coverage is best for you.
Erie’s customer service goes beyond and above, as seen by their high J.D. Power rating for renters insurance customer satisfaction.
FAQs Related to Pet Liability Insurance For Renters
Do you have to let your insurance company know I have a pet?
To minimize gaps in your property coverage, notify your property insurance carrier that you have a pet, even if it is not a dog.
Although some dog breeds may be the primary concern of insurance companies, other animals might cause damage, for which an insurer may be obligated to pay if you submit a claim.
For example, Cats might scratch a visitor or destroy the carpets on your property. If you fail to report that you have a pet, an insurance company may refuse a claim due to deception, affecting your ability to acquire future coverage.
If your pet injures someone, will your insurance go up?
If you submit a claim for injuries caused by your pet, your insurance rate will certainly increase during the following renewal period.
This is because an insurance company sees a claim as a sign that similar losses may occur again. Therefore you are paid extra to pay for the increased risk.
Your insurance provider may terminate your policy if your injuries are severe enough. In that scenario, you will most likely have difficulty obtaining a policy to extend coverage to your pet or may have to pay much more for coverage from a new insurer.
What happens if your dog is an ineligible breed?
You may still have choices if you own a dog whose breed is on your company’s ineligible list. Your company’s standard insurance may exclude coverage for certain species, but you may be able to add it for a cost.
If this isn’t possible, look for a carrier to insure your dog. Every business has the right to construct its list of ineligible dog breeds, so you may come across a firm that does not consider your dog a higher-than-average danger.
Furthermore, some firms do not evaluate a dog’s breed when determining eligibility instead of focusing on the dog’s history of violence.
What does pet liability cover?
In essence, you’re shielding yourself from having to spend for the harm you’ve caused to others. If you have a visitor and your pet hurts them, your insurance will cover the costs of medical treatment.
You are still liable under responsibility if your pet escapes and walks into your neighbor’s house, chewing on their sofa. If your fish tank bursts a leak and the water leaks through your floor into the unit below, they will be covered by your insurance.
In these situations, the harmed individual would have to submit a claim with your insurance carrier, which would then attempt to reach a deal. If the impacted party believes the settlement is insufficient, they can file a lawsuit.
But the costs will be covered by your liability coverage, which is why having proper coverage is critical. While your tiny dog or fish may appear innocuous, accidents happen, and you want to be safe.
What doesn’t pet liability insurance cover?
Although pet liability insurance covers you from costs incurred by your pet, it does not cover expenses incurred by you, the pet’s owner. It only applies to third-party injuries or property damage (someone not in your household).
Let’s return to the fish tank scenario, where the water leaks into your neighbor’s apartment via the floor. While your insurance would cover any damages they caused, water damage to your apartment would not be covered under pet liability.
As a result, we propose that you purchase renters insurance to cover the damage under property damage. Certain damages caused by your pet to your apartment may be deducted from your pet deposit, so don’t be concerned if your pet has a potty-training mishap.
If your pet is seized by law enforcement, you will be responsible for the costs, as liability insurance does not cover this.
How much does Pet liability insurance cost?
The cost of pet liability insurance is determined by the type of animal/dog breed and the pet’s history. Insurance might cost anything from $100 to $1,000 each year.
Some plans cost as little as $10 per month and cover amounts ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 but do your homework because these figures will most likely fluctuate based on your pet’s history.
It’s critical to have the right coverage plan to safeguard you and your pet. While $30,000 in pet liability insurance may seem extravagant, the average cost of a dog bite claim in 2018 was $39,000, and dog bite-related liability claims reached $675 million in the same year.
It’s sometimes better to be safe than sorry, so if having that extra coverage provides you peace of mind, it’s worth the money.
How does Pet insurance differ from Pet liability insurance?
Pet insurance is animal health insurance that can assist reduce the (sometimes high) expense of veterinarian services.
It is usually available for dogs and cats. Still, some firms, like Nationwide pet insurance, offer health insurance coverage for other pets, such as snakes, turtles, guinea pigs, etc.
Most pet insurance policies cover unexpected diseases and injuries, testing and diagnostics, medicines, procedures, exam fees, and emergency treatment.
Pet liability insurance is not the same thing as pet health insurance. Pet liability insurance covers injuries and damages caused by your dog to others, but not any injury your dog inadvertently does to itself.
Bottom Line
It is critical to notify your insurance company that you have a pet, as not all renters’ insurance policies give liability coverage to your pet.
Some insurance companies will refuse coverage for pet-related losses or injuries they were unaware of.
Furthermore, some species and breeds are unsuitable for coverage. If you have an ineligible breed, you may be unable to obtain renters insurance from that carrier, or your policy may exclude coverage for any damages caused by that pet.
