Does Renters Insurance Cover Pet Damage? - Experian (2024)

Renters insurance protects your personal belongings in a rental property in the event of a theft, fire or other covered events. This type of insurance can pay for your lost or damaged possessions and may even protect you from liability if someone is hurt on your property.

But does renters insurance cover your pets? Renters insurance typically provides liability protection for harm your pet causes to another person or their property. However, damage your pet causes to you or your property is generally not covered. Here's what renters insurance covers and how to get coverage for your pets.

What Does Renters Insurance Typically Cover?

Renters insurance protects your personal possessions, covers you if you're liable for damages or injuries, and helps with living costs if you can't stay in your rental due to a covered event. Renters insurance typically consists of three types of coverage.

  • Property damage: Renters insurance may protect your belongings from damage or loss. For example, if a fire in your building damages your furniture, you may be compensated for the financial loss. However, any damage to your home caused by your pet typically isn't covered. For example, if your puppy decides to chew on your baseboards or your cat tears up your carpet, you'll have to fix it yourself or cover the costs out of pocket.
  • Personal liability: This component of your renters insurance may protect you from liability from injuries caused by you or someone in your household, including your furry snuggle buddy. Personal liability coverage in renters insurance policies often exceeds $100,000, but double check your policy to be sure you're adequately covered. Keep in mind, the average cost of a dog bite claim ranges from $50,000 to $65,000, while more severe injuries could surpass $100,000 in medical and legal expenses.
  • Additional living expenses: Renters insurance can also help you pay for any costs you incur if you're displaced from your rental property after a fire, flood or another covered event. For example, if a building pipe bursts and floods your unit, this coverage could pay for housing, food and other displacement-related costs.

Does Renters Insurance Cover Damage Pets Cause?

Generally, renters insurance doesn't cover any damage your pet causes to your rental property, such as stained carpet or torn window screens. However, the policy may cover damage stemming from covered perils, including fire, smoke and water damage.

As such, your renters insurance likely won't cover the damaged wooden flooring your puppy scratched. You'd be on the hook for fixing it or paying for the repairs yourself. However, the policy may cover a peril caused by your pet. For example, if your cat chews on electrical wires and starts a fire, your renters insurance may cover the damage. Still, it's a good idea to contact your agent or refer to your policy to verify the specific coverage your policy offers.

Supplemental Insurance to Fill in Coverage Gaps

If your renters insurance doesn't cover pets, consider switching to a provider who does. Alternatively, you can take out a personal umbrella policy or pet liability insurance to fill the gaps in your coverage.

Umbrella insurance policies may have coverage amounts of $1 million or more. Typically, you must already have a renters or auto policy with a provider before purchasing an umbrella policy. Check to see if having multiple policies qualifies you for a discount for bundling them.

Pet liability insurance is a policy that covers injuries and property damage caused by your pet. For example, if your dog bites someone or accidentally knocks them over, this policy may cover their medical expenses and your legal fees if they take you to court. As you might imagine, the cost of pet liability insurance varies widely—ranging from $10 to $83 per month. Premium amounts are often based on your coverage options, deductible amount, pet breed and other factors. Before proceeding, make sure the coverage amount is adequate to cover a serious incident.

Does Renters Insurance Cover Harm Caused to Pets?

Renters insurance generally doesn't cover a death or injury to a furry family member that occurs in your home. Rather, this type of insurance is typically designed to cover damage or injury your pet may cause to others or their property.

If you're looking for more comprehensive protection for your pet, consider getting a pet insurance policy. Pet insurance is similar to health insurance for humans in that it covers a portion of your pet's medical bills due to illnesses, accidents and injuries.

This type of insurance can be a relatively inexpensive option to lower the costs to get your pet the care it deserves. Monthly payments for accident-only pet insurance average about $10.18 for cats and $16.70 for dogs, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. Accident and illness coverage runs a bit higher with monthly premiums of $32.25 for cats and $53.34 for dogs.

The Bottom Line

Renters insurance may protect your belongings if they are damaged in an incident in your home. It may also cover another person's injuries or property damage caused by your pet. However, renters insurance typically doesn't cover any property damage your pet causes to your own home. If you would like the additional coverage, talk to your insurance agent to review your options, including an umbrella policy or a standalone pet liability insurance policy.

Shop and compare different insurance providers, policy options and available discounts to save on renters insurance. If you live in a state where insurers can check your credit, maintaining a good credit score may help to reduce your insurance premiums. Some of the best ways to improve your credit score include paying your bills on time, reducing your debt and minimizing your credit utilization. Also consider signing up for Experian Boost®ø to potentially improve your credit score by adding credit for on-time payments for utilities, streaming services and even rent to your Experian credit report.

Does Renters Insurance Cover Pet Damage? - Experian (2024)

FAQs

Does Renters Insurance Cover Pet Damage? - Experian? ›

While renters insurance generally covers injuries or property damage your pet causes to another person, it typically doesn't cover any pet damage to your or your property.

Can you claim pet damage on renters insurance? ›

Renters insurance may cover pet damage as part of your policy's liability coverage. This may help protect your finances if your pet injures someone else or damages their property. However, renters insurance won't cover damage to your own property that's caused by your pet.

Does renters insurance affect my credit score? ›

Does the use of insurance scores affect my credit rating? There is no effect on your credit rating when Amica makes an inquiry into your credit history. However, the inquiry will be present on your credit report, should you choose to obtain one.

Does renters insurance cover dog bites off property? ›

It does not cover bites off the covered premises or at a dog park. Coverage, however, does extend to guests at the dog owner's apartment. If a roommate or someone who lives with the dog suffers injuries, renters insurance may not cover this.

Does dog insurance cover damage? ›

Usually not. Pet insurance is more like healthcare insurance for your pet to help you cover vet bills. It won't normally cover damage to your home, however, it might cover damage to someone else's home under third-party liability. But you'll have to check your policy details to be sure.

What type of insurance covers pet damage? ›

Liability coverage.

The liability protection with most standard homeowners policies may provide coverage if a pet damages someone else's property, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

What is pet injury coverage? ›

Pet injury insurance reimburses you, up to the coverage limits, for vet bills and burial expenses if your pet is riding in your car when you have an accident and is injured or dies as a result of the car accident. Pet injury insurance also often covers the cost of a new pet.

Do landlords check credit score or credit report? ›

Instead, required scores can vary by region and a landlord's policies. Landlords may typically look for tenants with at least a fair or good credit score. Landlords may also use tenant screening reports, with information like rental history and employment verification, to make rental decisions.

Does your credit score go up when you pay rent? ›

"Paying rent can build credit if your payments are reported," says Rod Griffin, senior director of consumer education and advocacy for the credit bureau Experian. "Unfortunately, that's not the norm, as most landlord and rent management companies don't report rent payments."

Do renters look at FICO score? ›

In most cases, landlords are going to look at both your report and credit score. In many ways, your credit score is a summary. It lets landlords see at a glance your overall creditworthiness and may be used to determine if the rest of your application is worth reviewing.

Does renters insurance cover dog fights? ›

Does renters insurance cover dog fights off the property? Yes, renters liability protection extends to incidents off the property. If your dog attacks another dog (or cat), the renters insurance policy will cover that pet's veterinary care (since they're considered someone's personal property).

What are certain dog breeds that might not be covered by a standard renters insurance policy? ›

The most commonly excluded dog breeds are rottweilers, pit bulls, German shepherds, chow chows, and many wolf breeds. Stephanie Nieves.

Does Progressive cover animal damage? ›

Comprehensive insurance coverage is defined as an optional coverage that protects against damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision events that are outside of your control. This includes theft, vandalism, glass and windshield damage, fire, accidents with animals, weather, or other acts of nature.

Does my renters insurance cover pet damage? ›

Renters insurance generally doesn't cover a death or injury to a furry family member that occurs in your home. Rather, this type of insurance is typically designed to cover damage or injury your pet may cause to others or their property.

Do insurance companies cover animal damage? ›

Homeowners insurance generally only covers wildlife damage caused by animals like deer or bears. Damage from smaller pests like squirrels and other rodents generally isn't covered by your home insurance policy because the infestations are considered preventable.

What is pet damage? ›

This can include damage to the floors, walls, furniture, appliances, and other property. Some common examples of pet damage include: Scratches and dents to the floors and walls. Chewed furniture. Urine and feces stains.

Why are some pets excluded from renters insurance? ›

Exclusions and restrictions can vary by insurance company, but in general, your renters insurance might not extend to your pet if they have a bite history. Size or breed restrictions can apply, but not always. Certain insurers, such as State Farm, don't ask about dog breeds when you apply for renters insurance.

What does accidental pet insurance cover? ›

The plan covers injuries and emergencies related to accidents, such as bite wounds, cuts, broken bones, toxic ingestion and torn ligaments. The company will reimburse you for costs related to exam fees, diagnostics, procedures and treatments that you pay after a covered accident.

What does animal liability insurance cover? ›

Animal Liability Insurance protects you in the event of damages or injuries caused by your dog or other pet that you own. Liability insurance is a form of third-party coverage, meaning that it compensates others – not you or members of your household.

Is pet insurance deductible per incident? ›

A per-incident, or per-condition, deductible applies every time you file a claim with your pet insurance. For example, your dog needs surgery to remove a cyst which costs $2,000, and you pay your deductible of $500 after filing a claim for that surgery.

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