NEW YORK, April 13 (TNSfund) — The Insurance Information Institute issued the following press release:

Dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for more than a third of all dollars paid out in 2021 for owners’ liability claims, costing $881 millionaccording to Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and state farmthe largest home insurer in the WE

An analysis of home insurance data by the Triple-I found that the number of dog bite claims nationwide rose to 17,989 from 17,567 in 2020, an increase of 2.2%. The average cost per claim decreased by 1.1% compared to 2020-2021, but the overall 10-year trend was 39%. The average cost paid for dog bite claims was $49,025 in 2021, compared to $50,245 in 2020.

“There was a slight decrease in the average cost per claim in 2021,” said Janet RuizCPCU, AIM, Director – Strategic Communication, Triple-I. “However, there has been a sharp increase in this cost over the past 10 years, no doubt due to rising medical costs, as well as the size of settlements, judgments and jury awards awarded to plaintiffs. .” Ruiz noted that the value of claims also increased by 44% over the same period.

As pet owners return to work or school, pets will be left home alone. Behavioral issues, such as separation anxiety, can lead to aggressive and destructive behavior. This could be a problem for dogs adopted during the pandemic, as well as pets now used to their owners being at home.

California continued to have the highest number of claims in WEto 2,026 in 2021, down slightly from 2,121 in 2020. California also had the highest value of claims in 2021, at $120.7 millionand the highest average cost per claim in 2021, at $59,561. The state with the second highest number of claims last year was Floridaat 1,478.

Be a Responsible Dog Owner

National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 10-16, 2022) is an annual event designed to provide consumers with information on how to be responsible pet owners while raising awareness of a serious public health issue.

Even normally docile dogs may bite when frightened or when defending their puppies, owners, or food. However, the best way to protect yourself is to prevent your dog from biting anyone. The most dangerous dogs are those that fall victim to human flaws, such as poor training, irresponsible owners, and breeding practices that promote naughtiness.

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See the table here: https://www.iii.org/press-release/triple-i-us-home-insurers-paid-out-nearly-900m-in-dog-related-claims-in-2021-041222