Does my Georgia homeowners policy cover dog bites?

Usually yes, but with important limits. A standard Georgia homeowners policy generally covers dog bite liability under its personal liability coverage, which can pay the injured person’s medical bills, legal defense, and any settlement up to your liability limit. That said, coverage is far from guaranteed, because many insurers restrict or exclude certain dog breeds or any dog with a bite history.

In Georgia, dog owners can be held legally responsible when their dog injures someone, especially if the owner knew the dog was dangerous or violated a leash law. That legal exposure is exactly what your homeowners liability coverage is meant to address.

For example, your dog bites a neighbor’s child at a backyard cookout in Savannah. The medical treatment, follow-up care, and a liability claim total $40,000. If your policy includes the standard liability limit of $300,000 and your dog is not excluded, your insurer can pay that claim and your legal defense. If your breed is excluded, you could pay the entire $40,000 yourself.

A few things Georgia homeowners should check:

• Some insurers exclude specific breeds or any dog that has bitten before.
• Your standard liability limit may be too low. An umbrella policy adds protection above it.
• Always disclose your dog honestly, since a hidden bite history can void coverage.

To understand how exclusions work, see our definition of an exclusion. To confirm your dog is covered and your limits are high enough, get a free coverage review at /coverage-review/.