Dog bite claims cost insurers $497M in 2011, insurance group says

How to Limit Your Liability If Your Dog Bites

In 2010, it was $413 million. It's no surprise that California home to more dogs and people than any other state led the way in 2011. Martinez says 527 claims were filed in California and victims received $20.3 million, a jump of 31 percent over 2010. State Farm is still working to determine reasons for the spike, Martinez said. About 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year and more than half of the victims are children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. About 800,000 people seek medical attention for the bites. Less than half of those people require treatment and about 16 die, the agency said.
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Dog bite claims fall, except for mail carriers

The big dog, in defense, picked up the little dog by the neck," said Roahrig, who used her hands to try and save Ozzie. "I thought I could open the big dog's jaw. I did open it, but she about chewed my finger off before I pulled it out." Though her finger was crushed, she managed to twist Jade's collar until the dog dropped Ozzie. She ended up in the emergency room because Jade had bitten through the joint. She now has a pin in her finger and a fused bone. Her top knuckle does not bend.
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Dog bites man - a lot

But if you do not notify your insurance agent or insurance carrier of the event, you may be out of luck when a minor skin injury turns into a horrific nonhealing wound because the victim happened to be diabetic, immune-suppressed, or allergic to antibiotics. See Also: 5 Popular Dog Breeds That Are Worrisome Encourage Medical Attention As the owner of a dog who bites an innocent person, you have a vested interest in that person recovering from the bite as quickly and as completely as possible. What you do not want is for a simple bite to turn into a medical catastrophe if not treated appropriately and rapidly. If the victim admits that he won't seek professional medical attention (perhaps because of a lack of health insurance), you should contact your insurance company and your lawyer immediately. They may or may not consider suggesting that you somehow contribute financially to permit quick treatment of the injury, depending on circumstances. Consider Getting a Police Report Though it may seem counterintuitive, calling the police to take an accident report at the scene of a dog bite can be a good idea. Realistically, an owner of a biting pet should and inevitably will be held legally and financially accountable for the attack.
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Heredity, training, socialization, health, and the behavior of humans around it can all contribute to a dog's tendency to bite, Martinez said. The ASPCA predicts half of all children in the United States will be bitten by a dog before 12. The majority of bites will be from the family dog or the dog of a neighbor or friend. People across the country own about 78.2 million dogs, according to the American Pet Products Association. State Farm's figures listed the top 10 states by number of claims, claims paid and claim average. California was tops in the first two categories, then came Illinois, 309 claims, $10 million; Texas, 219 claims, $5.1 million; and Ohio, 215, $5.4 million.
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Dog Bite Insurance: California Spends The Most Money On Dog Bite Insurance Claims (VIDEO)

Postal Service reported 5,879 bites last year, 274 more than in 2011 California is the top state in claims SHARE 111 CONNECT 38 TWEET 4 COMMENTEMAILMORE Last year, dogs were slightly less bitey, but they made an exception for mail carriers. Who's a good dog? The ones responsible for the 2.1% decrease in insurance claims for dog bites in 2012 are good dogs, says a report released Wednesday by State Farm, which covers dog bites under renters and homeowners insurance policies. But the insurer still cited 3,670 dog bite claims, costing an average of $29,522 for everything from stitches and shots to lawsuits and reconstructive surgery. Fido's lenience was not extended to the U.S. Postal Service, which reported 5,879 bites and attacks last year, 274 more than in 2011. As states continue to crack down on biting dogs and to enact leash laws, the 43 million dog-owning households are increasingly on guard against losing their best friends to animal control and paying through the nose for victims' medical costs and lawsuits, says Loretta Worters, Vice President of the Insurance Information Institute.
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