Why Insurance Companies Are Scared Of Dog Bite Claims

Dog bites are emotionally charged, medically serious, and, from an insurer’s point of view, increasingly expensive. For personal injury lawyers who handle these cases, that combination creates opportunities for clients; for insurers, it creates risk. In this blog, we discuss the forces behind rising dog bite costs, why insurance carriers react defensively, and what that means for victims seeking full compensation after a dog attack.

“Insurance companies are businesses that protect their bottom line. When dog bite claims become more frequent and more expensive, insurers change how they evaluate, defend, and pay those claims. That’s why victims need attorneys who know how insurers think, how to document damages properly, and how to push for full and fair compensation, especially for children and those who face long recoveries.” — John J. Malm, Naperville dog attack injury attorney

The Rising Frequency and Cost of Dog Bite Claims

Over the past decade the United States has seen both the number of dog-related injury claims and the average cost per claim climb. In 2023, insurers paid roughly $1.12 billion for dog-related injury claims, and an analysis by the Insurance Information Institute shows the number of claims grew to more than 22,000 in 2024 while total payouts topped $1.5 billion. The average cost per claim rose sharply in 2024 to about $69,272, up from around $58,545 in 2023, an increase insurers cannot ignore.

Medical contact from dog bites is common as well: estimates put the annual number of dog bites in the U.S. at roughly 4.5 million, with between 800,000 and 885,000 people seeking medical attention each year and tens of thousands requiring hospitalization. Those medical bills, plus reconstructive surgery, long-term therapy, and lost wages, drive much of the increased claim severity.

Why Severity Drives Insurer Anxiety

Insurance companies price risk and set reserves based on expected frequency and severity of claims. Dog bite files upset both inputs:

Medical and surgical costs have increased, especially for severe bites (facial injuries, nerve and tendon damage, pediatric cases).
Jury awards and settlements for pain, disfigurement, and emotional trauma have trended upward, particularly in catastrophic or cases involving young children.
The unpredictability of who will sue, how juries will value non-economic losses, and whether punitive factors exist can turn an otherwise “simple” liability dispute into a seven-figure exposure.

Because the average payout is measured in tens of thousands of dollars and catastrophic cases can exceed policy limits, insurers must respond by raising reserves, re-examining underwriting, and sometimes denying coverage to limit losses. The combination of higher frequency and far higher average payouts is the core reason carriers treat dog bite files as high-risk.

Common Insurer Strategies That Show Fear (and Why They Use Them)

When an insurance company is worried about exposure, they commonly adopt defensive plays. These moves are useful to recognize if you’re representing a bite victim:

Aggressive early denials or delay tactics: insurers may initially deny responsibility or request excessive documentation to slow payments and pressure claimants into accepting low offers. This buys time for insurers to evaluate legal exposure and discourage litigants.
Blaming the victim or arguing comparative fault: insurers will often assert the injured person provoked the dog, trespassed, or failed to mitigate damages, aiming to reduce or eliminate liability.
Litigating jurisdictional or technical defenses: carriers sometimes push technical legal defenses (e.g., statute of limitations arguments, municipal immunities, or homeowner policy exclusions) to get claims dismissed or narrowed.
Tendering policy limits early: in high-exposure cases insurers may offer policy limits if that protects them from excess verdicts; that offer can be an attempt to cap exposure rather than a fair valuation of the full damage.
Underwriting changes and breed exclusions: beyond single claims, carriers respond by excluding certain breeds, adding higher premiums, or removing dog bite coverage from some policies entirely.

These tactics don’t always work, especially when a claim is well documented and the injured person has strong legal counsel, but they reveal how much carriers fear large payouts and the uncertainty of jury verdicts.

Why Certain Dog Bite Claims Escalate in Value

Not all dog bites are equal. Insurers get nervous and adjust their behavior when claims have features that increase damages:

Children are involved: Pediatric facial injuries, scarring, and psychological trauma often result in higher medical costs, longer treatment, and greater non-economic damages. Research shows children are disproportionately represented among bite victims seeking ER care.
Facial and cosmetic injuries: Scarring and disfigurement create lifetime consequences and higher settlement values because of both medical needs and non-economic losses.
Deep tissue, tendon, or nerve injuries: These can require multiple surgeries and lengthy rehabilitation.
Failure to have adequate liability insurance/policy limits: When the at-fault owner is underinsured, plaintiffs may pursue multiple defendants or seek higher settlements to cover uncompensated losses.
Repeat offenders or prior complaints: If there is a documented history that an owner knew the dog was dangerous, plaintiffs can argue for punitive damages or larger awards, and providers will view such cases as high-risk.

What Dog Bite Victims Should Know (and an Experienced Illinois Dog Bite Attorney Changes Outcomes)

Knowledgeable legal counsel changes the dynamic of a dog attack claim:

Documentation matters: Medical records, photos of injuries and the scene, witness statements, animal control reports, and prior complaints about the dog are all critical evidence.
Valuing non-economic losses: Experienced counsel knows how to document scarring, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life to argue for fair compensation beyond medical bills.
Policy limits and excess exposure. Lawyers can identify all available insurance (homeowner, renter, property owner, umbrella policies, employer policies if the bite occurred while the dog was on the job) to ensure claimants pursue full recovery.
Negotiation vs. litigation: Strong demand letters, persuasive depositions, and strategic litigation when necessary force insurers to stop lowballing or hiding behind procedural obstacles.
Children and long-term care: Attorneys can calculate lifelong needs and future medical costs to ensure settlements cover ongoing care, not just immediate bills.

Insurer fear is often a claimant’s advantage. Carriers that worry about jury award volatility are more likely to consider meaningful settlements, but only when the case is presented by counsel who can prove value and severity.

Dog Bite Case Types That Often Result in Large Settlements and Verdicts

Pediatric facial bites requiring reconstruction.
Bites that cause tendon, nerve, or bone damage.
Situations where the owner knew the dog was aggressive (prior complaints).
Bites that occur on public property because multiple entities (municipality, landlord, business) may share liability.
Fatal attacks (very rare but enormously consequential financially and emotionally).

Practical Tips for Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Dog Attack

Get medical treatment immediately and preserve records.
Photograph injuries and scene as soon as possible.
Report the bite to animal control and get the report number.
Identify and preserve witness contact information.
Ask for the at-fault owner’s insurance information and, if needed, subpoena it later.
Avoid giving recorded statements before consulting counsel. Insurers often use early statements to minimize liability.
Consult an experienced Illinois dog attack attorney early. They can stop bad faith tactics and demand proper valuation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dog Bite Claims

Q: How common are dog bite claims in the U.S.?
A: According to industry data, dog-related injury claims numbered around 19,000 in 2023 and rose to about 22,658 in 2024; paid losses were more than $1.1 billion in 2023 and about $1.57 billion in 2024.

Q: Does homeowners insurance usually cover dog bites?
A: Yes, most standard homeowner and renter liability policies cover dog bite injuries up to the policy limit, but coverage can be limited by breed exclusions, policy wording, or if the owner purposely caused harm. Always check specific policy language.

Q: Why do insurers sometimes refuse to pay?
A: Common reasons include disputes about fault, allegations of provocation, policy exclusions (including breed bans or liability exclusions), or insufficient documentation. Sometimes carriers delay to evaluate litigation risk or to pressure a low settlement.

Q: What is the average payout for a dog bite claim?
A: Industry averages change year to year. For example, the Insurance Information Institute reported an average cost per claim of roughly $58,545 in 2023, which rose to about $69,272 in 2024 according to some reports. Averages can hide huge variance, minor injuries settle for much less while catastrophic injuries can reach six or seven figures.

Contact the Top-Rated Illinois Dog Bite Injury Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

At John J. Malm & Associates, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a dog bite injury can take on you and your family. When insurance companies push back, delay, or undervalue your claim, you deserve an advocate who knows how to fight back and secure the full compensation you’re owed.

Our team has successfully handled countless dog bite cases across Illinois, ensuring our clients receive justice, medical cost reimbursement, and compensation for scarring, pain, and emotional trauma. Don’t let an insurance company decide what your recovery is worth, let us help you stand up to them. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Your recovery matters, and we’re ready to fight for you.