Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Dog Bites in San Diego?

By Eugene Bruno on April 19, 2025

Dog ownership comes with serious responsibilities, including the potential financial consequences if your dog injures someone.

If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog, you’re probably wondering if their homeowner’s insurance covers dog bites. The answer depends on their homeowner’s policy and the circumstances of the attack. The breed of the dog involved can also play a role in insurance coverage.

Dog Bites and Homeowner’s Insurance

In many cases, homeowner’s insurance does cover dog bites. If the dog owner has a standard homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, liability for injuries caused by their pet is usually included under the personal liability section. This means if someone is bitten on the property, the insurance policy may cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Filing a Claim with the Insurance Company

When a dog bite occurs and the owner has homeowner’s insurance, the process typically begins with a personal injury insurance claim. Here’s how the process works:

1. Report the incident to the dog owner’s insurance provider.
2. The insurer opens a claim and begins investigating. This includes reviewing medical records, speaking to witnesses, and assessing whether the owner violated any local laws.
3. If coverage applies, the insurer may offer a dog bite settlement to cover your damages.

Breed Restrictions on Dog Bite Claims

Many insurance companies refuse to cover certain breeds they label as aggressive or high-risk. These often include:

• Pitbulls
• Rottweilers
• Dobermans
• German Shepherds
• Huskies
• Akitas

If the dog that caused the bite is on this list, the homeowner’s policy may exclude coverage entirely, even if the owner has paid their premiums on time. In these cases, the victim might have to pursue compensation directly from the dog owner rather than an insurance settlement.

Additional Exclusions in Homeowner’s Policies

Beyond breed bans, insurance policies often include other exclusions or limitations that affect coverage. These may include:

• No coverage for dogs with a prior bite history
• Limits on how much the insurer will pay, regardless of the actual damages
• Exclusions for bites that occur off-property
• Failure to disclose dog ownership (which may void the policy)
• Exclusions for “business use” dogs, such as guard dogs for commercial property

What If the Dog Owner Doesn’t Have Insurance?

If a dog owner doesn’t have insurance, or if their policy doesn’t cover the incident, the injured person can still file a personal injury claim directly against the individual. This may result in compensation through personal assets or other means, but it also tends to be more difficult and time-consuming.

In such cases, victims are advised to work with a San Diego personal injury lawyer who’s experienced in dog liability law to explore all available options, including:

• Filing suit directly against the pet owner
• Investigating whether a landlord, property manager, or business may share liability
• Reviewing potential third-party negligence (e.g., a pet sitter who failed to restrain the dog)

Dog Liability Law in California

California follows a strict liability standard when it comes to dog bites. This means a dog owner is liable for injuries caused by their pet, regardless of the dog’s prior behavior.

Under dog liability law, the victim doesn’t have to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the owner was negligent. It’s enough to show that the bite happened and caused injury.

What to Do After Being Involved in a Dog Attack

• Call 911 and seek immediate medical attention.
• Take photos of the injury and location.
• Collect the dog owner’s contact information.
• Ask if they have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
• Report the incident to animal control or your local health department.
• Contact Eugene Bruno & Associates at 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688).

Compensation Available in Dog Bite Cases

Whether through insurance or a lawsuit, victims of dog bites in San Diego may recover damages for:

• Medical expenses (both immediate and long-term care)
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
• Physical pain and disfigurement
• Emotional trauma and psychological therapy
• Future surgeries or scarring treatment

How Your San Diego Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help

Understanding how homeowner’s policy dog attacks are handled can be confusing. Between breed restrictions, coverage loopholes, and fine print, it’s easy for victims to feel overwhelmed. But you don’t have to face this process alone.

Your dog bite attorney can:

• Investigate the attack
• File a claim with the insurance company
• Negotiate settlement offers
• Take your claim to trial, if necessary
• Seek compensation directly from uninsured dog owners

Talk to a San Diego Dog Bite Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite incident, we’re here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. For over 30 years, Eugene Bruno & Associates has been helping accident victims and their families get the money they need to cover the cost of medical treatment and other expenses.

We have an A Rating from the Better Business Bureau, and Expertise.com has selected our firm as the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in San Diego. We also have a 99.7% success rate.

Call 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) to schedule your FREE consultation with one of our dog bite injury lawyers in San Diego. Our attorneys take cases on a contingency basis, so you won’t owe us anything unless we win.