Dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for more than one third of all homeowners liability claim dollars paid out in 2017, costing almost $700 million, according to a report by the Insurance Information Institute (“I.I.I.”) and State Farm.
An analysis of homeowners insurance data by the I.I.I. found that the number of dog bite claims nationwide increased to 18,522 in 2017, compared to 18,122 in 2016 – a 2.2 percent increase. The average cost per claim increased by 11.5 percent. The average cost paid out for dog bite claims was $37,051 in 2017, compared with $33,230 in 2016.
“The increase in the 2017 average cost per claim could be attributed to an increase in severity of injuries,” said Kristin Palmer, chief communications officer with the I.I.I. “But the average cost per claim nationally has risen more than 90 percent from 2003 to 2017, due to increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments, and jury awards given to plaintiffs.”
Estimated Number and Cost of Dog Bite Claims (and Other Dog-Related Injuries), 2003-2017
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Source: Insurance Information Institute, State Farm.
California continued to have the largest number of claims in the U.S. at 2,228 in 2017, an increase from 1,934 in 2016. California also had the highest value of claims in 2017 at $90.4 million. The state with the second highest number of claims last year was Florida at 1,345. The state with the highest average cost per claim was Florida, at $44,700 per claim in 2017.
Estimated Number and Cost of Dog Bite Claims (and Other Dog-Related Injuries), 2017 State Results
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Source: Insurance Information Institute, State Farm.
The I.I.I. and State Farm pointed out that even dogs that normally are docile may bite when they are frightened or when defending their puppies, owners, or food. They added that the most dangerous dogs are those that fall victim to human shortcomings such as poor training, irresponsible ownership, and breeding practices that foster viciousness.