Does pet insurance cover third parties from dog bite?

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The incidents of pet dog biting or chasing children or senior citizens on the road or in the locality are becoming common in urban neighbourhoods. Grievous injuries are being caused due to mauling and even deaths are being reported from all parts of the country. Though the pet owners get their pets trained and take utmost care to ensure the pet is not a threat to anyone, but unintentional accidents can happen at any time. Swatantra Jha, a pet insurance specialist, at Ria Insurance Brokers answers the following query on Money9 Helpline:

I have two German Shepherds at my home. Though they are well trained and I take utmost care of them, I want to know whether pet insurance covers dog bites? – Paras from UP.

To avoid financial liability and loss due to such incidents, where a third party may be unintentionally injured by your pet, it is advisable for you to take a pet insurance policy as it is a very good solution. This covers third-party liability in such situations.

As in motor insurance, where third-party insurance is a must, the time has come when pet insurance must be taken to protect the pet owner from unintentional damages and injuries to a third party in an accidental attack, bite or accident caused by the pet.

There is a common misconception that pet insurance is not necessary and one can handle the expenses as and when they arise. This is a short-sighted view. Like humans, pets can suffer accidents, injuries and illnesses unexpectedly. The good point is that pet insurance even covers vaccination and visits to vet doctors.

Pets are faithful friends and an integral part of the family. They need as much love and care as children do. Pets too can suffer unexpected illness and injury due to accidents and may need medical treatment and veterinarian’s care. Their treatment and surgery are usually expensive and can burn a hole in the pocket. A pet insurance cover helps you safeguard yourself against such expenses and be able to provide the proper medical care, and not having to lose your pet for lack of required treatment.

A pet policy provides comprehensive coverage to domesticated pet dogs of indigenous origin, pedigree, non-pedigree, cross-bred and also exotic breeds over the lifetime of the dogs from age three months to 10 years.