Survey finds dog bites costing homeowners in liability claims

New York City, NY: A new survey was released that finds dog bites account for one-third of all homeowners insurance liability costs.

According to a report from the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites cost homeowners a total of $387 million in 2008, which is an 8.7 percent rise from the year prior.

The institute also added that the number of dog bite claims grew at a similar rate with 15,823 being reported in 2008. This is compared to the 14,511 reported in 2007.

"The rise in dog bite claims over the course of the past five years can be attributable to the increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments and jury awards, which have risen well above inflation in recent years," Loretta Worters, vice president of the I.I.I, told the NU Online News Service.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year with 900,000 requiring medical care for their injuries.

While many people have dogs to stand guard, Worters adds that using deadbolt locks may help some homeowners avoid dog bite insurance claims.