Dog Bite Insurance Claims Surge 19% as Payouts Reach $1.6 Billion in 2024

Insurance providers across the United States paid approximately $1.6 billion for dog-related injury claims in 2024, according to joint data analysis from the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm. The total number of claims reached 22,658 last year, representing a substantial 19% increase from 2023 and a 48% rise since 2014.

Claim severity also increased significantly, with the average cost per incident jumping 18% to $69,272 in 2024—an 86% increase over the past decade. California, Florida, and Texas consistently reported the highest claim volumes nationally.

Released during National Dog Bite Prevention Week, the data underscores that dog bites remain a significant public health concern affecting over 4.5 million people annually, with children facing disproportionate risk. While standard homeowners and renters insurance policies typically provide dog bite liability coverage up to policy limits, pet owners remain financially responsible for expenses exceeding these thresholds. Several states have implemented specialized regulations regarding insurance coverage based on breed-specific factors or previous bite incidents.