Has your dog tried to bite someone in the past, and are you afraid it might happen again, getting you into trouble? Would you like financial protection against possible accidents or illnesses requiring surgery for Fido? Today, all this is possible thanks to the numerous dog insurance policies available.
In recent years, dog insurance has become widespread, both through specialized insurance providers and as part of standard home insurance policies. What may seem like an excessive choice, perhaps comparable to the more extravagant insurance policies, such as those covering Jennifer Lopez’s backside or Bruce Springsteen’s vocal cords, is actually a very useful and highly requested option.
Far too often, in fact, we hear about legal disputes caused by actual or alleged attacks that a dog may have carried out against adults, children and other animals.
In most cases, this mainly involves the elderly Mrs. Rossi from the second floor, who cannot wait for our dog to make a small mistake so she can force us to get rid of it, freeing herself from the long nighttime barking and the smells noticeable on the building’s stairs. Thus, as soon as our dog barks at her, probably without even such malicious intentions, the elderly woman will run to the police to report what happened, perhaps also claiming moral damages for the fright suffered by her poor weak heart.
However, our dog may actually attack someone. For example, one of the most frequent situations occurs during a walk in the countryside. We reach the trail, let Fido off the leash, and fail to notice another dog nearby. The two animals cannot reach an agreement and get into a fight.
If we also consider the possibility that the other dog’s owner tries to intervene in the fight, placing himself between the two dogs and inevitably being bitten, the situation can truly escalate.
Under current regulations, when our dog bites a person or another animal, we are always responsible for the physical or moral damages suffered by the victim.
Typical unforeseen circumstances are no exception, for example if the dog escaped unnoticed, if it was still being walked on a leash, or if we did everything possible to stop the attack.
To avoid having to pay for our liability, we can take out a third-party liability insurance policy for the dog covering damage to property or people, naturally including other animals. This type of policy also protects the owner in cases involving physical and moral injuries and even death.
Third-party liability coverage only covers compensation claims made against the owner, but it does not cover criminal liability.
At the same time, we may receive assistance if our dog is attacked by people or other animals.
Another type of insurance coverage offered by some of these policies allows for partial reimbursement of veterinary expenses required for surgery following accidents and certain illnesses, including hospitalization, treatment, physiotherapy and other forms of assistance, excluding congenital or hereditary diseases, neoplasms, and unnecessary procedures or treatments not prescribed by the veterinarian.
In some cases, it is also possible to receive legal assistance if complaints are filed against us or if we wish to pursue a dispute with the person or owner of the animal that attacked our dog.
Each policy has different features depending on the animal owner’s needs, the type of event against which they prefer protection, and the animal’s breed. Dogs nearing old age are generally excluded from insurance coverage, since these animals are more likely to develop health problems.
In any case, the formula for this type of insurance is the same as that used for all other policies.
The dog owner must regularly pay a variable amount known as the insurance premium. In exchange for this amount, the insurance company or provider offers financial coverage in all situations covered by the contract.
Some policies also provide the possibility of paying a lower premium if our dog has been particularly “good”, and conversely a higher premium if we have had to contact the insurance company because of attacks.
If you are interested in taking out an insurance policy for your dog, review one of the offers available online or ask your insurance company whether it provides this service.