Dogs provide millions of people with companionship, happiness and health benefits. But even dogs that are normally docile may bite when they are frightened or when defending their puppies, owners or food.
To educate pet owners about how to prevent dog bites The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Insurance Information Institute, State Farm®, and others have joined together for National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 7 -13).
Homeowners insurers paid out $675 million in liability claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries in 2018, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) and State Farm®, the largest writer of homeowners insurance in the United States.
California had the largest number of claims in 2018 followed by Florida. California also had the highest average cost per claim at $45,543.
For more details see our interactive map below.
That the most populous states have more claims (and probably more dogs, too) is not surprising. It would be interesting to see the states ranked by claims per capita.