If you’re a renter and a pet parent, getting a renters insurance policy could really come in handy. Should your pet injure another person or damage their property, renters insurance could offer some valuable financial protection. And, depending on what add-ons your policy includes, it could even cover pet damages to your own rental property.
TL;DR
- Renters insurance sometimes provides coverage for pet-related liabilities, including damage caused by your pet to others or their property, plus medical expenses resulting from pet-related incidents.
- Renters insurance generally does not cover property damage caused by your pets. However, if you opt for Lemonade’s pet add-on, you can get coverage for pet-inflicted damages to your rental property.
- Renters insurance does not cover dog bites if your dog has a history of biting or if, depending on the rules in your state, you own certain high-risk breeds.
Let’s take a look at what’s covered, what isn’t, and everything else pet parents should know about renters insurance.
Does renters insurance cover pets?
Not for everything. Renters insurance does not cover your pet’s health. For that you need to purchase pet insurance. Did you know that when you bundle your Lemonade renters insurance policy with a Lemonade pet insurance policy, you could be eligible for a discount on both policies? Click below to start your free quote.
Likewise, a standard renters insurance policy rarely covers damage done to your property or property rented to you by your landlord. If your dog destroys the door of your rental apartment, rental insurance will not cover the cost of the damage—that’s where pet-related rental charges such as pet deposits can come into play.
There are very limited circumstances in which you could be covered for damage to your property caused by your pet, and we’ll get into those specifics below.
Meanwhile, if your dog bites another dog or human, your renters insurance liability coverage could help cover the medical expenses of the dog bite as well as additional damages.
Pet liability insurance and your renters insurance coverage
So how does pet liability insurance work?
Liability coverage can help you pay for certain types of property damage, accidental damage to others, damage caused to others by your pets, medical payments and pain and suffering, and legal fees.
A standard renters insurance policy generally includes:
- Personal property coverage, which protects the stuff you own from named perils
- Liability coverage, which can help foot the bill if you’re held responsible for damages
- Loss of use coverage for additional living expenses if your place becomes uninhabitable
When it comes to pets, damage done to other animals or humans by your pet is covered.
However, it should be noted that if your dog has a history of biting, or, in certain states, if they are a breed that has been deemed “high risk” (such as a pit bull), your renters insurance policy would not cover that damage.
In addition, as mentioned above, if your dog chews through the drywall in your apartment, you are not covered under personal liability policy nor under your personal property policy. This type of damage is an exclusion. (If you’re experiencing these problems, it may be time to take your pet to the vet or hire a trainer to see what is going on with them.)
What are the coverage limits for pet liability insurance?
In general, liability coverage begins at about $100,000. That said, you can increase your liability limit if you think your pet is liable to be a problem. In most states, you can increase your liability coverage up to $1 million, although there’s a limit of $500,000 in California. Just remember that increasing your coverage limits will mean a slightly higher premium.
Does renters insurance always cover dog bites?
No. As mentioned above, there are certain situations in which renters insurance won’t cover dog bites:
- If your dog has a history of biting you may not be covered under your personal liability policy.
- Likewise, if you live in certain states, and own certain types of breeds of dog you also may not be covered.
Dogs that are considered high risk breeds are:
- Pit Bulls
- Staffordshire Terriers
- Doberman Pinschers
- Rottweilers
- German Shepherds
- Chows
- Great Danes
- Presa Canarios
- Akitas
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Siberian Huskies
- Wolf-hybrids
The above breeds cannot be included in personal liability coverage in the following states: CA, TX, RI, NV, OH, DC, MD, IA, WI, NM, OR, AR, CO, TN, IN, OK, MA, MO, WA, KY, MT, and ND. However, if you live in NY, GA, IL, NJ, PA, MI, VA, AZ, or CT and own one of the above dog breeds, you do not need to worry. Your dogs are covered.
You can read more about dog bites and insurance here.
Will renters insurance cover property damage caused by pets?
As a rule of thumb, renters insurance does not cover property damage caused by your pets.
In general, renters insurance only covers damage caused by named perils—things like kitchen fires, hail, smoke, vandalism, some types of water damage, theft, and others. Unfortunately, property damage caused by pets is not one of those named perils. If your dog destroys your door, or your cat falls through a ceiling panel, your insurance company will not pay for that damage. You will have to pay for it on your own.
However, if your pet triggers a named peril—let’s say your cat knocks over a candle, causing a small fire in your living room, or your dog somehow manages to gnaw away at your plumbing, resulting in water damage to your property—you’d likely be eligible for coverage.
If you’re looking for a bit more coverage—if, say, your new puppy Fluffy is a bit, um, rambunctious—you have the option of adding a pet damage endorsement to your Lemonade policy. That way, if Fluffy should leave a few too many bite marks on your landlord’s wood floors, renters insurance could cover the damages.
Have more questions? Read here about what is and isn’t covered by renters insurance.
Protect your pad and your pooch
Your home should be a safe haven–for yourself, your family, and your furry friends. Renters insurance can help ensure that you do not need to worry about your personal belongings or the damage your pet can do to other animals or people. A dog biting incident can be very scary, for both the person who’s bitten, and pet owners who are faced with unusual behavior from their pet, as well as the fear, guilt, and financial concerns that come with these incidents.
Thankfully, that is what renters insurance is for. Even if you don’t own your place, you can still have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you and your family are covered.
FAQs
Can renters insurance cover my pet if they get lost or stolen?
No, renters insurance does not cover the loss or theft of pets. If your pet is lost or stolen, contact your local animal shelter for next steps. If you are looking to prepare for the event that your pet may get lost or stolen, consider having your pet microchipped which can significantly improve your chances of your pet returning home.
Will renters insurance cover the cost of training for my pet if they are destructive?
No, renters insurance does not cover the cost of training for pets. Training expenses would need to be paid out of pocket.
Does renters insurance cover damage caused by pet urine?
Generally, no. This type of damage falls under the responsibility of the tenant to repair, and isn’t a covered peril.
Does renters insurance cover damage caused by my pet to my roommate's belongings?
Renters insurance may cover damage caused by your pet to your roommate’s belongings if you have liability coverage, but it’s important to check the specific terms of your policy.
Can I add pet liability coverage to my renters insurance policy after an incident has occurred?
Pet liability coverage typically cannot be added retroactively, meaning if your pet has already caused damage, such as biting your neighbor, you can’t purchase pet liability coverage to cover the event that has already happened. It’s important to secure coverage before any incidents occur to ensure you’re protected in case of future claims.
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them.represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage may not be available in all states.
