Does Renters Insurance Cover Pet Damage?

Many pet parents assume their renters insurance will step in when their furry friend damages something or injures someone. But that’s not always true.  

In 2024 alone, U.S. insurers paid over $1.57 billion in claims for dog bites and related injuries, with the average cost per claim reaching $69,272, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III) and State Farm. The report also reveals that more than 4.5 million people, especially children, are bitten by dogs each year in the United States.  

These stats clearly highlight how important this question is for tenants with pets. And that’s why we’re here to clarify.  

So, does renters insurance cover pets, pay for property damage, or medical bills if someone is injured by your dog, cat, or other animal? The answer could be both yes and no, depending on the situation, your pet's behavior, and your policy’s fine print. Some insurance companies offer personal liability coverage for property damage or injuries caused by your pet, but often exclude damage to your own belongings or rental unit.  

If you’re renting with pets, you should understand how your policy handles pet-related damages. That way, you could actually save on surprise expenses, legal fees, or denied claims. Keep reading to learn more about what’s covered, what’s not, and how to protect your personal belongings while preventing pet damage inside your rental home.

Does Renters Insurance Cover Pet Damage?

Here's the direct answer to your query: Renters insurance typically won’t cover pet damage to your own stuff or the rental unit, or if you or any of your family members, friends, or roommates are injured. That’s the hard truth. If your furry friend chews your couch or scratches the floors, you’ll need to cover the repairs yourself.  

But if your pet damages someone else’s property or injures a guest, you’ll get covered. In this case, personal liability coverage will reimburse you. Most insurance companies include this in the policy, covering legal fees (if you have been sued), medical expenses, and property damage caused by pets, as long as the pet isn’t on the restricted breed list.  

In short, renters insurance may cover you if your pet hurts others, not if it wrecks your place. However, if you need extensive protection, you can check with your insurance company to add a pet liability insurance policy or endorsement. This helps fill the gap if your insurer excludes your breed or denies a claim based on animal liability coverage limits.  

How Does Renters Insurance Cover Damage by Pets Through Pet Liability? 

As we said, although renters insurance doesn’t cover pet damage, the liability portion of your renters insurance can help you when your pet causes trouble for someone else. Not when it damages your own stuff.  

How? Let’s say your dog bites a visitor or knocks over their phone. In this case, your liability coverage can pay for medical bills or repairs. The same goes if your cat ruins a neighbor’s couch or scratches their hardwood floor during a visit.  

In short, this coverage becomes very useful when your pet causes third-party damage or injury. And remember that renters insurance won’t cover your own rental property unless your pet triggers a covered peril, such as chewing wire that sparks a fire. That’s rare, though.  

Here are the three main ways renters insurance can help you through liability insurance if your pet causes harm or damage to others:  

1. Bodily Injury Liability  

This part of renters liability helps you if your pet injures someone outside your household. Think dog bites, scratches, or knockdowns. It also helps cover medical bills and even pain and suffering if they sue.  

2. Property Damage Liability 

If your pet damages someone else’s stuff, this coverage can help. Like if your pet chews a guest’s bag or breaks their laptop, this portion of liability will pay up to the coverage limit.  

3. Legal Defense Costs 

If someone sues you over a pet-related incident, this pays for your legal fees and settlements. Many policies start at $100,000, but you can often raise it to $300K or more.  

These types of personal liability coverage are often bundled in standard renters policies. Just be sure to check for pet exclusions or sub-limits, especially if you own a restricted breed or exotic pet.  

Learn More: Does Renters Insurance Cover Personal Injury?  

Does Renters Insurance Cover Dog Bites? 

Yes, but only under certain conditions. Most renters insurance policies include liability coverage for dog bites, as long as your pet is covered.  

This means if your dog bites a guest or injures someone in public, your policy may cover their medical expenses and legal fees.  

However, there’s a catch. Many insurers companies exclude certain dog breeds, especially those labeled “aggressive” or with a bite history. Even friendly dogs can be excluded based on their breed alone. We’ll discuss the common restricted dog breeds shortly in this article.  

To stay fully protected, you should review your policy’s breed restriction list or consider a pet liability rider or separate dog bite insurance if your pet isn’t covered.   

If you want affordable renters insurance coverage for pet damage, contact L.A. Insurance agency today. We offer the most reliable coverage for tenants in Michigan, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and other states. Get your free renters insurance quote or call us at (800) 893-9393 to talk to an insurance expert. Coverage from your affordable insurance agency is just a step away.  

Does Renters Insurance Cover Pet Damage to Carpet? 

No. In most cases, renters insurance will not cover pet damage to carpet or other parts of your rental unit.   

If your dog scratches up the floor or your cat urinates on the carpet, that’s considered preventable damage. It doesn’t count as a covered peril. So, the repairs fall on you, not your insurer.  

Even if the damage is serious, like ripped carpet or chewed baseboards, it’s treated as wear and tear or tenant responsibility. In such a case, your security deposit is usually what the landlord uses to handle these issues.  

However, if you still want to protect your own stuff, like carpet, from pet damage, then you can look for insurers who offer a pet damage endorsement. But it’s rare and usually limited. Unless your pet causes a named peril (like starting a fire by chewing wire), don’t expect your policy to step in.  

Also, to avoid paying out of pocket, you can ask your insurer about add-ons or consider a personal umbrella policy for broader coverage.  

When Does Renters Insurance Not Cover Pet Damage?  

All pet-related accidents are not covered by renters liability insurance. There are key exclusions that could leave you without protection. If you understand these early, it can help you avoid denied claims, unexpected bills, and confusion during emergencies.  

1. Damage to Your Own Property 

If your pet damages your own stuff, like your sofa, bed, or clothes, it’s not covered.  

Renters insurance won’t cover repairs or replacements if your dog chews your chair or your cat scratches your TV. This type of damage is considered your responsibility, not a covered incident. Even pet stains or scratches on your floors, walls, or furniture aren’t eligible for reimbursement.  

2. Damage to the Rental Unit 

Accidental property damage, like chewed baseboards, scratched doors, or ripped carpets, is not covered by standard renters policies. It’s often seen as preventable damage or normal wear and tear. In most cases, landlords will deduct the repair costs from your security deposit. 

3. Injuries to You, Family, or Roommates 

Renters insurance may cover injuries your pet causes to guests, but not to you or anyone in your household.   

This includes: 

• You, the policyholder 
• Roommates sharing the rental 
• Immediate family members living with you

So, if your dog bites your child or roommate, the medical bills are yours to pay. That’s why it’s important to consider pet health insurance or budget for emergencies.  

4. Restricted Dog Breeds 

Many insurance companies won’t cover pets considered “high-risk”. This includes dog breeds like: 

• Pit Bulls 
• Rottweilers 
• Dobermans 
• Akitas 
• Mastiffs 
• Wolf-hybrids 
• German Shepherds 
• Staffordshire Terriers

Even if your dog has never shown aggression, being on a restricted breeds list could void your pet liability insurance. Some states, like New York, Georgia, and Illinois have laws protecting breed owners, but many don’t.  

5. Exotic Pets Are Often Excluded

If you own animals like: 

• Snakes, alligators, primates 
• Venomous reptiles 
• Non-domesticated felines 
• Or other wild animals

You likely won’t get coverage under renters insurance. These pets are usually excluded due to unpredictable behavior and high liability risks.  

6. Pets with Aggressive Behavior or Bite History 

If your pet has a known history of aggression, your insurer might: 

• Deny your entire renters policy 
• Exclude your pet from personal liability coverage 
• Require you to sign a waiver of liability

This is especially applicable for dogs with prior bite incidents or untrained pets that pose a risk in public.   
7. Policy Limits and Sub-Limits

Even if your pet is covered, coverage limits still apply. Most policies include $100,000–$300,000 for personal liability coverage, but some may cap pet-related incidents lower.  

For instance, if your dog bite lawsuit exceeds your limit, you’ll pay the rest out of pocket. To avoid gaps, you can consider increasing your coverage or getting an umbrella policy with animal liability coverage.  

Lastly, we’d like to remind you that if you want to stay fully protected, always: 

• Review your policy’s fine print 
• Ask about animal liability exclusions 
• Consider a pet liability rider or standalone coverage

Does Pet Insurance Include Pet Liability Coverage? 

No. It doesn’t. Pet insurance is for your pet's health. It’s not for the damage or injuries they cause. It helps pay for vet visits, illness treatments, accidents, and medications. It won’t cover you or others if your dog bites someone or your cat damages a guest’s bag.  

So, if you need protection for pet-related injuries or property damage, you need renters insurance with personal liability coverage.  

Difference Between Renters Insurance and Pet Insurance 

Renters who own pets often ask whether renters insurance covers any damages caused by their pets. Sometimes pet parents also get confused thinking that this damage might get covered by pet insurance. But the truth is completely different in this regard. Both these insurance policy covers different things.  

The following table compares renters' insurance and pet insurance and will help you understand what these two insurance coverages protect when it comes to damage caused by pets:

How to Add a Pet to My Renters Insurance Policy? 

When you’re renting a home and decide to purchase insurance for it for the first time, your insurer will ask about pets. And that’s when you confirm if your furry friend is covered.  

If you already have a policy and adopt a new pet, you should simply call your insurance agent or directly contact the insurance company right away. You can do it either online or by visiting the nearest insurance office physically.  

Once you do this, they will update your policy and let you know if any animal liability exclusions apply. Also, check for restricted breeds or exotic pet rules. If your pet isn’t accepted, you can look into a pet liability rider or standalone coverage from another provider. Keeping your insurer in the loop protects you from claim denials down the line.  

What to Do If My Insurance Refuses My Pet Liability Damage Claim 

Normally, renters insurance doesn’t cover damage caused to you or your property by your pets. Instead, it typically provides financial assistance to others through renters liability insurance. However, even under liability coverage, your claim might sometimes be denied for specific reasons.

Here's what you can do if your insurer denies your claim for pet-related damage: 

• Review your denial letter carefully. Look for the exact reason. Was it a restricted breed, exclusion, or coverage limit issue? 
• Contact your insurance agent. Ask for clarification. Sometimes it’s a misunderstanding or missing documents. 
• Request a second review. You can appeal the decision or submit additional evidence, like a witness statement. 
• Get a second opinion from another insurer, as some insurance companies may be more flexible with animal liability coverage. 
• Purchase separate pet liability insurance (if it helps). 
• Negotiate directly with the other party. Offer to pay for damages or medical bills to avoid legal action.

Preventing Pet-Related Damages and Accidents

Prevention is always better than paying out of pocket. Whether it’s avoiding dog bite claims or protecting your rental property, a few simple steps can save you from stress, surprise bills, or denied coverage. 

Here’s how you can reduce the risk: 

• Train your pet early. Basic obedience can prevent damage and aggressive behavior. 
• Use baby gates or crates when needed. Limit your pet’s access to furniture or sensitive areas. 
• Socialize your pet regularly. Pets that are calm around people and other animals are less likely to cause injury. 
• Supervise your pet with guests. Always keep an eye on interactions, especially with children or unfamiliar faces. 
• Keep your pet’s vaccines and health records updated. This can help if there's ever a legal or medical claim. 
• Pet-proof your apartment. Cover electrical cords, secure valuables, and use scratch-proof furniture covers if needed. 
• Let your insurer know about your pet. Transparency helps avoid coverage issues later. 
• Avoid bringing pets to unfamiliar or stressful environments. Anxiety can lead to unpredictable behavior or accidents.

Will Renters Pay for Pet Damage: Key Takeaways

• Renters insurance won’t cover damage your pet causes to your own property or rental unit. 
• Liability coverage may pay if your pet injures someone or damages their belongings. 
• Dog bites are often covered, but not if your dog is on a restricted breed list. 
• Pet insurance only covers vet bills, not legal or property damage caused by your pet. 
• Most policies exclude exotic pets, aggressive animals, or pets with a history of biting. 
• You may need a pet liability rider or separate policy to fully protect yourself.

FAQs Related to Renters Insurance and Pet Damage

Does renters insurance cover vet bills?  

No, renters insurance doesn’t cover your pet’s medical bills. You’ll need pet insurance for illnesses, injuries, or emergency vet care.  

What’s covered if my dog bites a guest?  

Most policies cover medical bills and legal fees if your dog bites a guest, unless your dog is excluded due to breed or history.  

Does renters insurance cover pit bulls?  

Some insurers cover pit bulls, others don’t. Coverage depends on the company, state laws, and whether your dog has a bite history.  

How much does renters insurance cost with pets?  

On average, renters insurance with pet liability costs $13 to $30 per month, depending on your location, coverage limits, and pet-related exclusions.  

How much is pet liability insurance for renters?  

Pet liability insurance ranges from $10 to $30 per month, depending on your pet’s breed, risk level, and the coverage limits you choose.  

Does renters insurance cover pets in Texas?  

Yes, but many Texas policies have breed restrictions. Always check if your dog or pet type is excluded before assuming you're covered.  

Will renters insurance cover my pet if they get lost/stolen?  

No, renters insurance won’t cover lost or stolen pets because pets are not considered insurable property under renters insurance policies. Learn more about whether renters insurance covers theft.

Does renters insurance cover damage caused by pet urine?  

No, damage from pet urine is considered preventable. Most insurers treat it as wear and tear, not a covered peril under your policy.  

Can I get a supplemental insurance policy for pet damage to fill in coverage gaps?  

Yes, you can add a pet liability rider or buy standalone pet liability insurance to cover excluded breeds, property damage, and legal costs.