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Owning a Dog Can Take a Bite Out of Your Wallet
By Michael Morse | October 3, 2008
Dog owners need to assess their financial liability should their dog attack someone. Single bites could cost tens of thousands of dollars, lawsuits even more, and if the attack is serious, dog owners could even serve jail time to account for their dog’s actions. Moreover, due to the rising costs of dog-bite claims, some insurers now refuse to cover certain breeds, those most often denied are pit-bulls, Dobermans, Rottweiler’s, Akitas, Chows, and wolf hybrids. However, some insurers will cover all breeds, but will increase the premium should the dog bite someone.
Here are a few things to consider before purchasing a dog:
- According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bite claims comprise 1/3 of all homeowner insurance liability claims and in 2007 cost insurers $356 million.
- According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average dog-bite claim in 2007 was $24,511.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year and nearly 1 million require medical attention.
- n 2007, 32 people died as a result of being attacked by dogs.
For more information on dog bites and what to do if you are bitten by a dog in Michigan or Ohio, visit www.dogbite-attorneys.com.
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