Umbrella coverage typically provides the same type of liability coverage as primary homeowners insurance. However, many homeowners are unaware that for umbrella coverage to apply, the primary homeowners insurance must have minimum coverage limits.
For example, some insurance companies require homeowners to carry a minimum of $500,000 bodily injury liability protection before the homeowners’ umbrella coverage applies. In such an instance, if the homeowner only has $300,000 of bodily injury liability protection on their homeowners insurance, they would be uninsured for damages between $300,000 to $500,000 – in other words, the homeowner would have $200,000 of personal exposure.
In addition to homeowners and umbrella insurance, renters insurance policies can also provide coverage for dog bite claims. Coverage language may state, “If a claim is made or a suit is brought against an insured for damages because of bodily injury or property damage to which this coverage applies [Liability Coverages], caused by an occurrence, we will: 1. pay up to our limit of liability for damages for which the insured is legally liable; and 2. provide a defense at our expense by counsel of our choice.
Notably, some homeowner and renters insurance policies exclude liability coverage for injuries caused by certain dog breeds, including but not limited to: pit bulls; chow chows, Doberman pinschers; Rottweilers; mastiffs; German shepherds; wolf-hybrids; Rhodesian ridgebacks; and, Akitas.