Report: Insurers Pay $1.6B in Dog Bite Claims, as Frequency Soars

Insurers in the U.S. paid out $1.6 billion as the number of dog-related injury claims rose significantly in 2024.

That’s according to data compiled by the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm.

The number of dog bite and related injury claims last year totaled 22,658, an increase of nearly 19% from 2023 and a 48% increase over the past decade, with the total cost of claims reaching roughly $1.6 billion, according to Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications at Triple-I.

The average cost per claim rose 18%, from $58,545 in 2023 to $69,272 in 2024. The cost has gone up about 86% over the last decade. California, Florida and Texas topped the list for most claims.

The report was released in conjunction with National Dog Bite Prevention Week, which is from April 13 to 18.

Dog bites remain a serious public health risk, with more than 4.5 million people—mostly children—bitten each year nationwide.

Nearly half (45.5%) of U.S. households include dogs, totaling nearly 90 million canine companions in the country.

Homeowners and renters insurance policies usually cover dog bite liability legal expenses, up to the liability limits, which are typically $100,000 to $300,000, according to Triple-I.

The dog owner is responsible for all damages to the claim limit. At least two states, Pennsylvania and Michigan, have laws that prohibit insurers from canceling or denying coverage to owners of particular dog breeds. Some states could exclude coverage after a dog bite, such as Ohio, which also requires owners of dogs that have been classified as vicious to purchase at least $100,000 of liability insurance.