As of 2022, it’s estimated that about 67% of Americans own a pet. If you’re one of those 67%, you may have heard of pet liability insurance, pet insurance, pet renters insurance, and renters insurance with pet coverage. But what are they and how are they different? More importantly, do you need any of these insurance plans if you’re only renting?
Pet liability insurance for renters is especially important because you live in close quarters with other renters. That means that your pet is more likely to have run-ins with neighbors and an increased risk of your pet causing damage to your rental property. Renters insurance with pet liability coverage can protect you from having to pay for damages.
Whether you rent an apartment in Atlanta, GA, or in San Diego, CA, and you’re a pet owner, it’s important to understand how pet liability insurance can protect you. That way, you’ll be able to choose the best plan for yourself and your pet.
Do you need pet liability insurance
Pet liability insurance can be helpful for a number of renters, especially if you have a dog whose breed is on your insurance’s restricted breed list. Although it doesn’t guarantee an apartment approval, having pet liability insurance can make you look like a more responsible tenant if you’re renting with a pet.
What pet liability insurance covers
An independent pet liability insurance plan will cover basically the same things as renters insurance with pet coverage. That is, pet liability insurance will help you out if your pet destroys someone else’s property or causes harm to someone else. Pet liability insurance typically helps pay for legal fees, repair costs, and medical bills, including mental health bills.
For example, if you leave your friendly feline with a trusty pet sitter at your apartment and your cat scratches the pet sitter, which later gets infected, pet liability insurance would most likely cover your pet sitter’s medical bills. Also, if your cat decided to also rip up your pet sitter’s expensive scarf, pet liability insurance may help to replace it.
Pet liability insurance can pay up to 70-90% of the cost associated with any pet damage, saving you a lot of money.
What pet liability insurance for renters doesn’t cover
Like pet renters insurance, pet liability insurance doesn’t cover damage to yourself, anyone in your household, or any of your property. So, if a landscaper just worked on your front yard and your dog tears it up, unfortunately, you’ll have to pay to have it redone. Or, if your cat tears up the beautiful catio you just built, you’ll have to pay to replace it.
Be sure to read your insurance policy thoroughly to fully understand when and when you are not covered.
The pets listed below are also often excluded (but not always) from pet liability insurance for renters:
- Exotic pets such as birds, ferrets, fish, lizards, rabbits, snakes, etc.
- Certain dog breeds or dogs mixed with these breeds: Akita, Boxer, Chow Chow, Doberman, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Husky, Malamute, Rhodesian ridgebacks, Rottweilers, Saint Bernard, Staffordshire terriers and other Pit Bull breeds, Wolf hybrids, among others.
- Pets over a set weight limit
- Dogs with a history of biting
Does renters insurance cover pets?
Most renters insurance policies cover personal property, liability, and additional living expenses. Your average renters insurance plan does not typically cover damage your pet causes to you, your roommate, your family, or any of your personal property. Pet damage to your apartment may sound like damage to “personal property,” but most insurance carriers only cover destruction caused by certain circumstances (called covered perils) when it comes to personal property. Pets aren’t usually considered a covered peril, whereas earthquakes and fires usually are.
Renters insurance with pet coverage will usually cover (but not always) is damage your pet caused to others and their property.
How to add your pet to your renters insurance
If your renters insurance policy doesn’t include pet coverage, you may be able to add it on. Usually, adding your pet to renters insurance is simple, especially if your insurance company offers it as an additional service. Most companies allow you to edit your coverage online, so you can just log in and request to add pet liability coverage, or call and speak with an insurance representative.
Does renters insurance cover pet damage?
Renters insurance that includes pet coverage typically covers pet damage in the following cases:
- Bodily injury: If your pet injures someone not in your household by biting, clawing, gnawing, scratching, etc.
- Liability: If your pet causes damage to someone else’s property
Most insurance policies usually cover up to $100,000 in medical bills, legal fees, lost wages, or other costs associated with your pet’s damage.
What to do if your renters insurance does not cover pets
If you don’t have pet liability insurance for renters, or your plan doesn’t provide as much coverage as you want, you have a few other options.
Umbrella policy
Probably the easiest option is to get is what’s called an umbrella policy. Basically, an umbrella policy covers what’s already covered in your regular renters insurance policy up to a higher amount. While your renters insurance may only cover $100,000 in damages, an umbrella policy can cover up to $1 million or more.
Personal liability insurance
Some renters insurance companies don’t offer an umbrella policy option. In that case, you may want to consider getting personal liability insurance in order to cover your pet. These policies take care of legal, medical, and repair costs if you or someone in your household, like your pet, causes damage to someone else or their property. So, if your renters insurance doesn’t provide pet coverage, a personal liability policy could be a great substitute.
One downside of personal liability insurance is that it often doesn’t cover specific dog breeds. So, if your dog’s breed falls on this list, this insurance option may not be the one for you
Pet liability insurance
Pet liability insurance is probably the best option if your insurance excludes your breed of pet. In other words, if you have an exotic animal like a snake or dog who’s breed is typically not covered by other insurance options, pet liability insurance may be the only plan that will cover your cuddly companion.
How much does pet liability insurance cost
The cost of pet liability insurance varies a lot, primarily depending on the pet you want to cover and their history, but usually cost around $100-$1,000 per year. The most important thing to remember about pet liability insurance is to do your research. It’s up to you to decide what kind of coverage you need and how much you can afford.
What is the difference between pet insurance and pet liability insurance?
Pet insurance and pet liability insurance sound so similar that you may think they’re the same thing. However, pet insurance and pet liability insurance are totally different.
Pet Insurance: This type of insurance is meant to protect your pet’s health. For example, if your pet eats a plant that isn’t a pet-safe, and you need to rush them to the vet, pet insurance may be able to help you with that bill.
Pet Liability Insurance: This insurance is meant to cover damage your pet has done to others and their property. Pet liability insurance is also known to cost more on average than pet insurance.
Is pet liability insurance right for you
Depending on your pet, you can choose between renters insurance, an umbrella policy, a personal liability policy, and a pet liability policy, or a combination of policies to protect yourself and your pet. And those with exotic pets or certain dog breeds may want to consider extra pet liability insurance.
Redfin does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional.
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