Dog Bit Housemate in My Home—Can I Get Her Medical Costs Covered?
I had a dog in my home for a month, which I was looking after but never officially adopted. I was aware that this dog had bitten someone on the ankle before, though I’m not sure if it was ever reported. When I added her to my renter’s insurance, I mistakenly indicated that she had no prior bite history.
Unfortunately, she ended up biting my housemate on the ear, leading to a trip in an ambulance and requiring stitches, along with some loss of flesh from her ear. While my housemate isn’t suing me, she has expressed that she expects me to cover all medical expenses not covered by her insurance, including the possibility of reconstructive surgery. I want to take responsibility and help, but I’m concerned about whether I can afford all these costs out of pocket, given my savings.
Will my renter’s insurance provide any coverage for this situation? I want to avoid any legal issues and really don’t want this to escalate or involve the dog’s trainers, especially since I may have misrepresented her bite history on the insurance policy. I just want to make things right for everyone involved. For context, all my housemates were aware of the dog’s history and agreed to have her in the house.
I’m really sorry to hear about the situation you’re dealing with. It’s commendable that you want to take responsibility for your housemate’s medical costs.
Regarding your renter’s insurance, coverage for dog bites can depend on the specifics of your policy, including any exclusions or limitations related to dog breeds or bite history. Since you mentioned that you incorrectly stated the dog’s bite history on the insurance, this could complicate matters. It’s possible the insurance might deny coverage based on that misleading information.
Here are some steps you can consider taking:
Review Your Policy: Look closely at your renter’s insurance policy to see if it includes liability coverage for dog bites and if there are any clauses regarding honesty in disclosures.
Consult Your Insurance Agent: Speak with your insurance agent about the situation. They can provide guidance on whether the incident might be covered despite the misinformation.
Communicate with Your Housemate: Since your housemate isn’t suing, maintain open communication about the costs and what you can contribute. It’s important to be transparent about your financial situation.
Document Everything: Keep a record of all conversations and any medical documentation related to the incident. This will be useful if you do have to negotiate costs later.
Consider a Payment Plan: If you want to help out but can’t cover the full amount upfront, discuss the possibility of setting up a payment plan with your housemate.
Avoid Further Complications: Since you mentioned concerns about legal action and the dog’s trainers, focus on resolving this amicably to avoid escalation.
Your intention to do the right thing is clear, and taking proactive steps may help mitigate any potential issues moving forward. Good luck!