California dog bite victims face insurance gaps from breed exclusions

Cohn & Swartzon LLP is warning that many California homeowners and renters policies exclude certain dog breeds from liability coverage, even though dog owners can still be personally liable for bite injuries. The firm says the gap can leave victims and owners dealing with denied claims, high medical costs and major financial exposure.

Why it matters: - California dog bite cases can trigger both injury claims and insurance disputes at the same time. - A breed exclusion can leave a dog owner without coverage while the owner still faces legal responsibility for a bite. - Dog bite victims may need to pursue recovery even after an insurer denies a claim. - The issue has broad financial impact in California, where the California Health and Human Services agency recorded 56,941 hospital-treated dog bite injuries in 2024. - The Insurance Information Institute ranks California first in the nation for dog bite insurance claims, with an average cost per claim above $65,000.

What happened: - Cohn & Swartzon LLP released educational guidance for dog bite victims, dog owners and insurance policyholders. - The Irvine- and Tulare-based California personal injury firm said many homeowners and renters policies exclude certain dog breeds from liability coverage. - The firm said California law generally holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries their dogs cause, regardless of whether the dog had bitten before.

The details: - California does not prohibit insurers from restricting or denying coverage based on a dog’s breed. - Many homeowners and renters carriers use breed-based exclusions that are not always easy to find in plain language. - Breeds commonly excluded or restricted include Pit bull type dogs such as American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Presa Canarios and wolf hybrids. - Exclusion lists vary by insurer and by policy. - Some insurers focus on a dog’s individual history instead of breed alone. - A denied claim can leave the dog owner responsible for medical expenses and other damages. - Reviewing policy language before an incident and checking for supplemental liability coverage can reduce financial exposure. - Cohn & Swartzon LLP said anyone with questions about a dog bite injury can request a free consultation by calling 888-480-3883.

Between the lines: - The key gap is between insurance coverage and legal liability. - That gap matters because many people assume a denied claim ends the dispute, when it may only end the insurance portion. - Saar Swartzon, co-founder of Cohn & Swartzon LLP, said that misunderstanding is common and that families dealing with serious dog bites should understand both issues before deciding what to do next. - The firm also said the release is general information, not legal advice, and outcomes depend on the facts of each case.

What's next: - Dog owners may want to review policy terms now, before an incident happens. - Bite victims may need to pursue claims even if an insurer denies coverage. - California residents with dog bite questions can seek a free consultation with Cohn & Swartzon LLP. - The firm says clients work directly with an attorney from day one and that it handles cases on a contingency basis, meaning there is no fee unless the firm wins.

The bottom line: - In California, a dog-bite insurance denial does not erase the owner’s potential liability, and breed exclusions can leave both victims and owners exposed.