The average dog bite claim costs an insurance company $30,000, according to the Institute, and the total cost of dog bites to insurance companies is currently $490 million per year. This includes bites to humans and injuries dogs cause other dogs. Insurance Institute representatives note that some insurers will ask the insured to put their animal through behavior training before it can be insured, or they will ask the dog owner to agree to restrain their dog with a muzzle. Every year the blacklisted dogs list changes creating confusion about which dogs are really the most aggressive, the Insurance Information Institute acknowledges.
7. Akitas
Akitas are popular show dogs, but have strong guarding instincts and temperaments ranging from calm to aggressive. The AKC advises constant supervision of this breed when they are around small children and other animals. In 2013, a three-year-old boy petting an Akita on a leash in a Murrieta, Calif., home improvement store was reportedly attacked and bitten on the jaw, neck and forehead, and below the right eye by the animal. His wounds required 50 stitches.
Tip 6: Insure only the Structure for Reduced Premiums- New homeowners shouldn’t make the mistake of insuring their entire investment. The actual structure of your home, both interior and exterior, should be insured. However, the land surrounding your home should not be included in the policy because it will only raise your home’s value, thus increasing your home insurance rates. When applying for insurance, only use estimates from the value of your home itself so that you aren’t unnecessarily paying more.