Insurers in the U.S. paid out about $1.6 billion in dog-related injury claims i
n 2024, according to data compiled by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and State Farm.
The number of dog bite and related injury claims last year totaled 22
,658, an increase of nearly 19% from 2023 and a 48% increase over the past decade, with the total cost of claims
reaching about $1.6 billion, according to Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications at Triple-I.
The average cost per claim increased 18%, from $58,545 in 2023 to $69,272 in 2024. The cost has gone up about 86% ove
r the last decade. California, Florida and Texas topped the list for most claims.
The report was released in conjunction with National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 13-18).
Dog bites remain a serious public health risk, with more than 4.5 million people—mostly children—bitten each year nationwide.
Nearly half (45.5%) of U.S. households include dogs, for a total of nearly 90 million canine companions in the United States.
According to Triple-I, homeowners and renters insurance policies usually cover dog bite liability legal expenses, up to th
e liability limits (typically $100,000 to $300,000). The dog owner is respo
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nsible for all damages the claim limit. At least two states, Pennsylvania and Michigan, have laws that prohibit insurers from c
anceling or denying coverage to owners of particular dog breeds. Some st
ates could exclude coverage after a dog bite, such as Ohio, which also requ
res owners of dogs that have been classified as vicious to purchase at least $100,000 of liability insurance.