Are Dogs Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

At Central, we know our homes wouldn’t be complete without our furry companions. Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy or you’ve had the same loyal companion for years, it’s important to understand how dogs and homeowners insurance work together—and where they don’t.

Property Coverage: What’s Not Covered

Let’s start with a common misconception: that homeowners insurance covers your pet the way it covers your home or belongings. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Most standard homeowners policies exclude animals under the property section of the policy. That means:

• If your dog is injured or killed in a covered loss—say, a house fire—your policy typically won’t reimburse you.
• If your pet damages your own property (chews up your baseboards or digs through your drywall), there’s no coverage for those repairs.

Keep in Mind: Some insurance carriers, including Central, offer endorsements that can help. Our Central Signature Homeowners Endorsement includes coverage up to $5,000 for veterinary expenses if your pet is injured due to a covered peril like fire or wind. While we hope you’ll never need it, it’s comforting to know it’s there.

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Liability Coverage: Where It Can Help

This is where dogs and homeowners insurance most often intersect. If your dog causes bodily injury or property damage to someone else—such as a dog bite or knocking over an expensive item during a visit—this could fall under the personal liability section of your homeowners policy.

But there’s a catch.

Insurance companies often maintain a list of high-risk breeds and may:

• Deny coverage for certain dogs
• Require additional underwriting review
• Or exclude dog liability coverage altogether

It’s important to check with your independent agent to understand whether your dog is covered, and what exclusions—if any—might apply.

Learn More: How Often Should I Update My Insurance Coverage?

What About Pet Insurance?

While homeowners insurance may offer limited protection for injuries your dog causes (or suffers under specific conditions), it won’t help with:

• Vet visits
• Illness or injury unrelated to a covered peril
• Routine or emergency care

That’s where pet insurance comes in. Think of it as health insurance for your pet. Many shelters even include a short trial policy with adoptions, but for long-term protection, pet insurance can be a valuable complement to your homeowners coverage.

The Central Difference

At Central, we understand that pets are family. That’s why we offer options like the Central Signature Endorsement—to help provide a layer of protection for the companions who matter most. And because we know every family (and every dog) is different, we work closely with your independent agent to find the right coverage for your unique situation.

Get in touch with our team today to make sure you have the right coverage limits in place.