Pets are often considered full members of the family. However, we must not forget that our four-legged friends can also cause property damage or bodily harm to others. In this context, it is essential to understand how home insurance coverage for damage caused by pets works.
Civil liability of animal owners
As the owner of a domestic animal, you are responsible for any damage it may cause, whether to a third party, to their property or to your own home. This civil liability therefore requires you to repair the damage suffered by them.
Civil liability guarantee in home insurance
Most home insurance contracts include a civil liability guarantee, which covers the financial consequences of damage caused to third parties by the subscriber, his family and his pets. So, if your dog bites a neighbor or if your cat scratches a friend’s sofa during a home visit, it is this guarantee that will intervene to compensate the victims.
The limits of the civil liability guarantee
It is important to note that civil liability guarantee does not cover all types of damage. For example, it generally does not support:
- Damage caused by the animal to your own home or personal property
- Damage resulting from a lack of supervision of the animal (e.g. dog running loose)
- Incidents involving animals considered dangerous, such as certain breeds of dogs
Property damage coverage for damage caused by animals
To compensate for the limits of the civil liability guarantee, it may be interesting to take out a property damage guarantee specific for pets. This optional guarantee covers material damage caused by your animal to your home and personal property.
Support conditions
To benefit from this guarantee, it is generally necessary to respect certain conditions:
- Declare the presence of the animal to your insurer
- Provide a veterinary certificate attesting to the good health of the animal
- Comply with legal obligations in terms of vaccination and identification of the animal
Warranty exclusions
As with civil liability coverage, certain exclusions also apply to property damage coverage for animals. For example, generally not covered:
- THE damage caused by wild or non-domestic animals
- THE damage resulting from negligence or lack of supervision by the owner
- THE incidents involving animals considered dangerous or prohibited (e.g. category 1 and 2 dogs)
How to choose the right home insurance with animals?
To be sure you benefit from good coverage in the event of damage caused by your pets, it is essential to compare the different home insurance offers available on the market. Here are some tips to help you in this process:
Compare guarantees and compensation limits
Before taking out home insurance, check that the civil liability guarantee includes pets and find out about the coverage conditions. If you also want to cover damage caused to your own property, opt for specific property damage coverage.
Also don’t forget to compare the compensation ceilings offered by each insurer, which can vary depending on the contract. You can call on a broker specializing in the field to ensure you find the best value for money.
Take into account deductibles and contributions
Home insurance deductibles and contributions may also differ from one company to another. It is therefore important to take these elements into account in your comparison, in order to choose an offer adapted to your budget and your needs.
Check warranty exclusions
Finally, take the time to carefully read the warranty exclusion clauses of each home insurance contract, to avoid any unpleasant surprises in the event of a disaster involving your pet.
