Insurance Quotes  >  Home Owners Insurance  > Wyoming

While most homeowners will on purchasing a house think about basic insurance policies and the endorsements they need to purchase for protection against floods and earthquakes, Wyoming residents have a third issue to worry about: Dog Bites!

If you have a dog, think about how expensive it is to own one but more importantly think of how it bites into the premium you pay on your homeowner’s policy. On a serious note you as a homeowner need to consider the risks your pet may pose for other people, their safety and their assets.

Dog bites are a big issue and a huge problem in the U.S., so much so that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider it no less than an epidemic. Estimates maintain that there are at least 4.7 million reported cases of dog bites per year, and the property/casualty insurance industry pays approximately $345.5 million of that amount as liability. Claims filed for dog bites account for nearly one quarter of all homeowners and renters insurance liability claims.

Homeowner policies and dog bites

The department of insurance of Wyoming aims at educating the people about dog bites and their prevention. Homeowners and renters insurance policies generally cover this liability, given the owner of the dog informs the insurance company of a pet when purchasing a policy. You as the owner of the pet need to know what you are covered for. Or else it may be easy for someone else to bite you back with a suit.

Types of dogs and insurance

Insurance carriers in Wyoming specify the breeds of dogs, which are permissible if you intend to purchase a policy from them. However, the list of dogs differs from one company to another. You can avail of this information either from your agent or the company representative before deciding on the type of dog you want. However, if you possess a dog, which is on the excluded list of the company concerned, your policy could be dropped or the premium rates hiked if the insurance carrier considers the dog to be at high risk for aggressive behaviour.

Manu companies also ask for a history of the dog rather than the breed, so do expect questions on its behaviour, whether it has ever bitten people before, your responsibility or negligence in this event etc. also they will check on how compliant you are with meeting local regulations: leash laws and fencing height requirements.

Dog Bite Prevention Tips

The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association maintains a list of to do things to prevent your dog from biting:

1. Have your dog spayed or neutered. Research has it that dogs that aren't sterilized are more likely to bite.
2. Play non-aggressive games with your dog such as "go fetch." Rather than aggressive games.
3. If you are not sure as to how it may respond, do not let your dog out in such situations.
4. Many homeowners are installing invisible fences. These may keep the dogs in, but they don't keep children out. Young children walking by may be attracted. Consideration should be given to this when deciding the type and height of the fence around your yard.
5. Get trained by a professional dog trainer so that you can control the dog in case difficult circumstances abound.
6. Never leave your dog unattended in an open yard or public area.
7. Introduce your dog slowly to new situations and people.
8. Ensure that your dog is properly vaccinated and these are updated. This will ease the matters for the Veterinarian if your dog bites someone.