Did you know that dog bite claims accounted for  more than one-third of all homeowner insurance liability claims paid out in 2011?  The average claim pay out was $29,396 in 2011.

Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically cover dog bite liability and will insure homeowners with dogs.

However, some breeds are usually deemed ineligible by insurance companies such as: Akita, Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Pit Bull breeds, Rottweiler, Wolf Hybrid, Presa Canario, or any mix of the listed dogs.  Some insurance companies will make an exception for a dog that has passed the AKC Good Citizen Certification Program.

What if your sweet lovable lab bites someone?

Then the insurance company may suggest that you find your dog a new home, charge a higher premium,  exclude your dog from any future coverage, or non-renew your insurance policy entirely.