Dog Bites for Certain Breeds No Longer Covered by Farmers Insurance

Farmers Insurance has recently announced a change in its policy regarding dog bite claims.

The insurance company will no longer provide liability coverage for any dog bite claims that arise from confrontations with pit bulls, rottweilers, and wolf hybrids.

The insurance company did not cancel any policies. However, it began requiring customers to agree to an exclusion waiver since the middle of January 2013. Those policyholders who did not sign the exclusion waiver will not have their policies renewed.

While some policyholders are not pleased with the insurance company’s move. Farmers’ representatives state that the three breeds of dogs are responsible for 25 percent of the dog bite claims that the company receives annually. They also say that these claims often result in more monetary harm than other types of dog bite claims.

Statistics do support the insurance company’s contention. Pit bulls and rottweilers are responsible for more than 50 percent of the fatal dog attacks that occur in the United States.

Florida has a strict liability statute regarding dog bites. If a victim is bitten by another person’s dog, the owner can often be held liable for damages that result from the bite.

Farmers Insurance’s policy can affect dog bite victims by keeping them from being able to get compensation for their medical bills from the insurance company itself. However, compensation may be available by bringing forth a personal injury lawsuit against the dog owner.

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Dog bite victims may be able to receive damages to compensate them for their medical damages, follow-up treatment, lost income, pain, and suffering. If you’ve been seriously injured due to another person’s negligence, call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today at 1-800-538-4878 for a free case evaluation.