Does My Renters Insurance Cover My Pet?
Our canine companions shower us with love and affection, but they also leave us with unwelcome surprises such as chewed-up slippers, scratched-up furniture, and urine-damaged flooring. If you're thinking about bringing a puppy or kitten into your home, you might be wondering if renters insurance will cover any damage caused by your pet. Unfortunately, you will be liable for any damage to your property caused by your pet because neither renters insurance nor pet insurance policies typically cover pet damage. Renters insurance is still highly recommended, particularly if you have a pet, because most renters policies include liability insurance.
Does renters insurance cover my pet?
Renters insurance is intended to assist in the repair or replacement of belongings that have been damaged or stolen from your apartment. It does not, however, cover all types of damages. Pest infestations, natural disaster damage, and pet-related property damage are not covered. Renters insurance also does not cover any health problems that your pet may have. If you want coverage for illness or accidents, you'll need pet insurance.
Renters insurance, on the other hand, includes liability coverage. If your pet injures another person while on your property, you will not be held liable for their medical bills. Because pets can cause costly accidents, having a renters insurance policy is especially important if you have a pet. In 2019, the average cost of a dog bite claim was around $45,000.
What does renters insurance cover?
Most renters insurance companies offer the following types of coverage:
- Personal property damage: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings following theft or covered damages such as fire and wind damage.
- Personal liability coverage: If you damage someone else's property or are blamed for their injuries on your property, liability coverage pays for your legal fees as well as your guest's medical bills.
- Additional living expenses: If your home becomes uninhabitable, you may incur costs such as hotel bills in order to find alternative housing. Additional living expenses coverage, also known as loss of use coverage, can assist in the payment of these expenses.
Some of the best renters insurance companies also cover extras such as credit card fraud, and there are frequently available add-ons such as earthquake coverage, but you cannot purchase pet damage coverage through your renters insurance company.
The cost of coverage will vary depending on the limits of your coverage and the amount of your deductible. If you want to get the best rate, first figure out how much renters insurance you need, and then compare rates from the cheapest renters insurance companies.
What is covered under pet liability insurance?
Pet liability for renters is a constant worry for animal lovers who do not own their own home. Pet liability insurance, also known as pet damage insurance, generally covers medical expenses and property damage costs incurred by third parties as a result of your pet. That is, if your pet injures another person or damages their property, pet liability insurance will cover it up to the policy's coverage limit.
For example, if your dog bites someone or damages their fence, pet liability insurance will cover the costs. However, some animals and breeds are not covered by this type of insurance, so make sure the provider accepts your pet before signing up.
Pet liability insurance typically covers legal fees incurred as a result of your pet injuring another person or damaging their property. So, if someone sues you because your cat scratched them, your legal fees should be covered up to the coverage limit under your policy.
Pet liability insurance only protects you against personal liability arising from your pet. If your pet causes damage to your personal property or injures you, your insurance will not cover it because neither of these situations creates personal liability for you.
It's also worth noting that pet liability insurance typically does not cover medical expenses if your pet becomes ill. However, pet health insurance, which is a separate type of insurance, can cover your pet's medical bills.
Pet damage vs. pet liability
Property damage caused by a pet is referred to as pet damage. This could be anything from door or floor scratches to that pair of dress shoes. As previously stated, pet liability coverage protects you if you are ever sued for damage your pet causes to another person or their property. So, if your pet destroys your neighbor's yard and they sue you, your legal expenses may be covered by your renters insurance policy. In addition, if your dog bites a visitor to your apartment, your renters insurance policy will most likely cover their medical expenses.
Pet insurance vs. renters insurance
Pet insurance covers wellness care for your pet as well as treatment for accidents and injuries. Renters insurance covers medical or veterinary bills for injuries caused by your pet, as well as the repair or replacement of other people's property that has been damaged by your pet. Because there is no overlap in coverage between these two types of policies, purchasing both will save you money. We would never advise anyone to buy unnecessary insurance, but in this case, it is in your best interest to have insurance that covers both your pet's healthcare needs and your liability.
What is the cost of adding pet liability to my renters insurance?
Renters insurance typically includes personal liability coverage. Although renters pet insurance is not commonly available, the liability coverage in your renters policy should cover personal liability arising from your pet. This includes both property damage and third-party medical bills. Personal liability insurance should also cover legal fees. The coverage limits in your policy, on the other hand, will specify how much coverage you will receive from your policy. Renters insurance with pet liability typically covers only your personal liability.
You may also be able to find liability insurance tailored to your pet. This type of insurance is less common, and the monthly premiums can vary greatly. Some providers may provide pet liability insurance for as little as $10 per month. However, if you have a pet breed that is known to cause liability, your premiums may be significantly higher.
For example, the liability associated with owning a large dog would be much higher than the liability associated with owning a hamster, so it is reasonable to expect the large dog to cost more to insure.
Does renters insurance policies exclude certain pets?
Because insurance companies try to avoid unnecessary risk when covering a customer, most exclude dog breeds that are known to account for a greater proportion of dog bite claims than others. Pit bulls are the most common example, accounting for approximately 23% of all dog bites. Renters insurance policies frequently exclude liability coverage for the following breeds:
- Akitas
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Chow Chows
- Doberman Pinschers
- German Shepherds
- Staffordshire Terriers
- Great Danes
- Pit Bulls
- Presa Cenarios
- Rottweilers
- Siberian Huskies
- Wolf Hybrids
- American Bulldogs
- Beaucerons
- Keeshonds
- Mastiffs
- Belgian Malinois
- Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Different renters insurance companies may have different exclusions, so always discuss your dog with an insurance agent before purchasing a policy.
Are exotic animals covered in renters insurance?
Exotic animals, like certain dog breeds, pose a higher risk to insurers and are thus excluded from liability coverage in most policies. If you own one of the following pets, you may need to purchase a separate exotic pet insurance policy to cover expenses if your pet injures or damages someone else's property:
- Amphibians
- Birds
- Ferrets
- Monkeys
- Rabbits
- Reptiles
- Snakes
- Turtles
Farm animals are typically excluded from pet liability coverage under most renters insurance policies. If you have a pet or breed of dog that is not covered by renters insurance, we strongly advise you to purchase either a pet-specific policy or a personal umbrella policy.
What options do I have if renters liability insurance doesn’t cover my pet?
Certain animals or breeds may be excluded from coverage under the terms of some renters insurance policies. If your renters insurance provider refuses to include your pet in the personal liability coverage of your policy, you have a few options:
- Personal umbrella insurance — This is a type of insurance that increases your personal liability coverage. You usually have the option of setting very high coverage limits. Before you sign up, make certain that your pet's liability is covered.
- Pet liability insurance — While this type of insurance is less common, you may be able to find liability insurance tailored specifically to your pet. To begin, check with your current insurer to see if they offer it or if they can recommend another provider who does.
- Try another provider — If you believe your renters insurance's liability coverage should cover your pet but it does not, you can always shop around for a new renters insurance provider. Before signing up with a new provider, make sure to inquire about your pet.