According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims paid out in 2010, costing nearly $413 million. The average cost of a dog bite is approximately $26,000 and continues to steadily rise. Not all dog liability claims are caused by bites. In some cases a friendly dog can jump up on a neighbor and knock them down; oftentimes causing an injury and significant medical bills.

Dog Owner Liability

In Florida, there are three kinds of law that impose liability on dog owners:

1. Dog-bite statute: The dog owner is automatically liable for any injury or property damage the dog causes, even without provocation.

2. “One-bite” rule: In some states, the owner is not held liable for the first bite the dog inflicts. Once an animal has demonstrated vicious behavior, such as biting or otherwise displaying a “vicious propensity”, the owner can be held liable. Some states have moved away from the one-bite rule and hold owners responsible for any injury, regardless of whether the animal has previously bitten someone.

3. Negligence laws: The dog owner is liable if the injury occurred because the dog owner was unreasonably careless (negligent) in controlling the dog.

Florida’s statute on dog bites (767.04) does not have a one-bite rule. Even though your dog’s never bitten anybody before does not mean that you’re not responsible for the injuries caused by the dog. Florida has a strict liability against dog owners. A dog owner is strictly liable for any of the injuries or death caused by their dog to somebody else.

There are a few exceptions, but for the most part strict liability is the rule. There are two ways in which a dog owner could be found not strictly liable. First, any damage caused by the dog is going to be reduced by the victim’s own negligence. If the victim antagonized the dog and the dog, for whatever reason, bit that person, a jury can apportion a percentage of fault to the victim. The other way that a dog owner can protect themselves from liability is by actually posting a sign that says “bad dog.” If they display the words “bad dog” outside their property then for the most part the owner’s not going to be held strictly liable unless they were independently negligent in causing the injury.

Does Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Cover Your Dog?

Insurance companies are now pursuing various strategies to reduce these claims. The companies either refrain from selling homeowners insurance to households with dogs, refrain from selling homeowners insurance to people who have certain breeds of dogs, or exclude dog bites from coverage. Companies are continuously modifying policy coverage including their lists of dangerous breeds (i.e. pitbulls, rottweilers.).

What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?

First Florida Underwriters, Inc., Represents Companies that can provide you coverage through their Canine Liability program. The program offers liability coverage limits from $25,000 up to $1,000,000. All dog breeds are eligible for coverage.

Contact First Florida Underwriters, Inc. today for a Canine Liability Quote 904-264-0977.

GMAC10105 Aff RV Brochure (0711)

Call us or stop in to learn how you can save by insuring your Auto, Disability or Life with Auto-Owners Insurance. As an Independent Agency we can design an insurance program that is just right for you and your family. Call us now 904-264-0977.

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property in the event of a fire.

• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Design and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind. Select materials and plants that can help contain fire rather than fuel it.
• Use fire-resistant or noncombustible materials on the roof and exterior structure of the dwelling, or treat wood or combustible material used in roofs, siding, decking or trim with fire-retardant chemicals evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Plant fire-resistant shrubs and trees. For example, hardwood trees are less flammable than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus or fir trees.
• Regularly clean roof and gutters.
• Inspect chimneys at least twice a year. Clean them at least once a year. Keep the dampers in good working order. Equip chimneys and stovepipes with a spark arrester that meets the requirements of National Fire Protection Association Standard 211. (Contact your local fire department for exact specifications.)
• Use 1/8-inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floor areas, and the home itself. Also, screen openings to floors, roof and attic.
• Install a dual-sensor smoke alarm on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries at least once each year.
• Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher (ABC type) and show them where it’s kept.
• Keep handy household items that can be used as fire tools: a rake, axe, handsaw or chain saw, bucket and shovel.
• Keep a ladder that will reach the roof.
• Consider installing protective shutters or heavy fire-resistant drapes.
• Clear items that will burn from around the house, including wood piles, lawn furniture, barbecue grills, tarp coverings, etc. Move them outside of your defensible space.

Plan Your Water Needs

• Identify and maintain an adequate outside water source such as a small pond, cistern, well, swimming pool, or hydrant.
• Have a garden hose that is long enough to reach any area of the home and other structures on the property.
• Install freeze-proof exterior water outlets on at least two sides of the home and near other structures on the property. Install additional outlets at least 50 feet from the home.
• Consider obtaining a portable gasoline powered pump in case electrical power is cut off.

Your best resource for proper planning is www.firewise.org which has outstanding information used daily by residents, property owners, fire departments, community planners, builders, public policy officials, water authorities, architects and others to assure safety from fire – it really works. Firewise workshops are offered for free all across the nation in communities large and small and free Firewise materials can be obtained easily by anyone interested.