By Lewis Nibbelin, Research Writer, Triple-I
Insurers paid $1.86 billion in dog-related injury claims in 2025, up by 18.6 percent from 2024, according to research by Triple-I and State Farm.
The total number of dog-bite and related claims was 28,450, a more than 25 percent increase from 2024 and a 57 rise over the past decade. Though the average cost per claim fell to $65,450 – a 5.5 percent decrease from $69,272 in 2024 – costs also remained at a 97 percent rise over the past decade.
California and Florida continued to see the most claims in 2025 from 2024, with more than 2,000 claims in each state. New York filed the highest average cost per claim, at $92,154, followed by Connecticut and California.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 45 percent of homes include at least one dog, for a total of approximately 90 million pet dogs in the United States. While most will coexist peacefully with us, dog bites remain a serious public health concern, with more than 4.5 million bites reported each year in the United States.
During National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 12–18), a coalition of veterinarians, animal behavior experts, and insurance representatives urge the public to understand the risks dog bites pose to people and other pets and the steps required to prevent injuries.
“We’ve seen a 25 percent increase in dog bites in 2025 and yet, most dog bites are preventable. Children are especially vulnerable,” said Janet Ruiz, communications director at Triple-I. “Prevention starts with understanding how dogs communicate and teaching children how to interact with them safely.”
Tips to prevent dog bites
All dogs – even well-trained, gentle dogs – can bite when provoked, especially when eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies. To keep people and pets safe, the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition provides the following tips:
- Adopt wisely. Not every dog is a perfect match for every family. Choose a dog suited for your lifestyle and household, including other pets.
- Socialize your dog. Try to expose your dogs to new situations gradually and for short periods of time. Arrange for low-stress interactions and give plenty of praise and rewards for good behavior.
- Educate yourself in positive training techniques and on the unique needs and behaviors of your dog. Learn the signs that your dog is stressed or uncomfortable and be prepared to advocate for them in all situations.
- Always supervise children around dogs, even family pets. More than half of all dog-related injuries are to children.
- Always leash your dog on walks and make sure fences and gates are secure if they spend time in a yard.
- Keep your pet healthy. Not all illnesses and injuries are obvious, and dogs are more likely to bite if they are sick or in pain. If you haven’t been to the veterinarian in a while, schedule an appointment for a checkup to discuss your dog’s physical and behavioral health.
Pet owners should review their policies with an insurance professional to ensure they have adequate coverage for every pet in the household. Standard homeowners’ and renters’ insurance typically cover dog-bite liability legal expenses up to the liability limits of the policy (usually $100,000 to $300,000), with dog owners responsible for any damages above that amount.
Pet insurance policies can also offer tailored protection for pets from accidents and/or illnesses. While insurers typically do not provide coverage for pre-existing conditions, separate plans may be available for routine preventative care such as vaccines and annual exams.
Learn More:
Spotlight on: Dog Bite Liability
Facts + Statistics: Pet Ownership and Insurance