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Last Modified on Jul 14, 2026
If you’re wondering “does homeowners insurance cover dog bites,” the answer is sometimes. Many insurance policies may cover injuries caused by your dog depending on the terms of the insurance policy and the circumstances leading up to the attack. Policies may exclude coverage, have limited coverage, or deny coverage based on questions of liability.
Dog bites can happen anywhere in Newnan and Coweta County, Georgia. Residents may be attacked in their own neighborhoods or apartment complexes. Dog bites can occur in parks, on sidewalks near Bullsboro Drive, and downtown Newnan.
When Homeowners Insurance Covers Dog Bites
Homeowners insurance policies typically include some form of personal liability coverage. This coverage may help pay for injuries that the policyholder is found legally responsible for causing to someone else. If a homeowners policy covers dog bites, then it may pay for damages covered by the policy up to its limits.
However, not every policy is the same. Some policies exclude certain breeds of dogs. Other insurance companies may deny coverage when the dog has a known history of aggression or if the bite occurred under certain circumstances. Your insurance policy is often the first place to look to discover what coverage may be available.
Georgia Dog Bite Laws That Affect Insurance Claims
Coverage under an insurance policy does not necessarily mean that the dog owner may be found legally responsible for injuries. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, the person injured by the dog must typically show that:
- The dog was vicious or dangerous
- The owner failed to exercise proper control over the animal
- The victim did not provoke the dog
Proving that someone violated a leash law or county restraining ordinance may help establish liability in some situations. These legal issues can play a large role in whether an insurance company will accept or deny a dog bite claim.
The CDC reported that approximately 38% of Americans own at least one dog. For those who are bitten by dogs, about 1 in 5 of them need medical attention.
Laws of Georgia requires that most personal injury claims be brought within two years from the date of the injury; although there are exceptions to this rule, it’s generally a good idea to act quickly.
What Insurance Covers
If insurance applies and the owner was found legally liable for your injuries, then their homeowners insurance may help pay for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care
- Permanent scarring
Money available for compensation depends on how much liability coverage is available under the policy and the specific facts of your case. Insurance companies typically investigate what happened before issuing a decision about coverage.
What Happens if Insurance Denies Coverage?
Homeowners insurance companies may deny coverage for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the policy includes an exclusion relating to dogs. The insurance may have expired, or the insurance company may believe that the policyholder was not legally responsible for the bite. In other situations, an insurance company may argue that the injured person provoked the dog, contributed to their own injuries, or another defense under Georgia law.
Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer
At Trammell Injury Law, LLC, we represent injured people just like you throughout Newnan and other Georgia communities. Our attorney investigate the facts of your accident and can prepare you for the process afterward. Hire a dog bite lawyer with us today. Our Georgia dog bite attorney can help you understand your legal options and what to expect every step of the way. Contact us today to get started.
