Watchdog on Duty

Our insured's home was broken into. The thieves locked the insured's dog in the bedroom while the theft was occurring. The dog damaged the bedroom door and floor trying to get out. Is this damage simply excluded because it was caused by an “animal kept by an insured,” or is there coverage because it was a result of the dog being locked in during the theft?

Connecticut Subscriber

It is the position of FC&S that exclusions need to be read in context; the animal owned by the insured exclusion is included with the wear and tear, deterioration, breakdown, and other such exclusions. We interpret this to mean that if the dog has repeatedly scratched on the kitchen door over a span of time wanting to go out, that is not covered, as it is wear and tear. However, in your situation the dog was trapped and trying to get out; one could even suppose the dog's desire to get out was to defend the insured's property, if you want to go that far. Therefore, this type of loss should be covered, regardless of the true motivation of the dog.