Insurance Policy Laws????Help???

Question

My husband has auto insurance on his truck. The other day he went to town and took our dog. When he stopped at the store, he let the dog out of the back. Our dog proceeded to run up to a lady and bite her. Should my husbands auto insurance cover this? Do you know any laws for or against this that I can check on? Thanks

Answer 1

No, auto insurance doesn't cover dog bites!!   It covers damage done by the TRUCK, not by your dog!

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, the liability on THAT policy, will cover the dog bite.  

But then be prepared - you'll have to get rid of the dog, if you want to keep your policy.

Answer 2

No but your home owner's insurance might.  Auto insurance covers liabilities incurred as a result of the operation of an auto and would not cover a dog bite.

Answer 3

The auto insurance will not apply. The dog was not in the car when the bite occurred.  The bite did not arise out of the scope and use of the auto.

However, if you have a homeowners or renters  policy - that may apply

Answer 4

That would be covered by your homeowners insurance, if you have it, if you do not have an animal exclusion and if you had the dog at the time you applied for the insurance, you told them about it.

Now, you will need to report this to your homeowners carrier.  They will likely pay the claim and then nonrenew your policy.

You MAY be able to keep the policy if you get rid of the dog (our companies require that it be euphanized, not "given" to a friend or relative where it could end up back at your house) and may require that you not have another dog.

If you keep the dog, you wll have a tough time finding other insurance & will probably pay through the nose to have it AND have an animal liability exclusion.