Health insurance plans are types of insurance coverage which covers insured policyholders from paying specific medical and surgical expenses. A health insurance plan with health insurance benefits is often necessary as out-of-pocket expenses for medical emergencies are substantial.
Health insurance completely covers or pays a portion of the cost of medical emergencies, which are associated with their dental, vision, and other medical necessities. These costs may be paid in one of two ways:
- The insured individual pays up front, out-of-pocket, and is then reimbursed for the cost; or
- The insurance company pays the policyholder’s provider directly.
When a person has health insurance coverage, they are required to pay the insurance company premiums in exchange for the insurance company paying their medical bills. As such, the cost of insurance premiums will vary depending on each person’s coverage plan.
Pursuant to health insurance laws at the federal level, health insurance coverage is no longer mandatory as of January 1, 2019. However, it is important to note that some states still require people to have health insurance coverage in order to avoid paying a tax penalty.
There are various health insurance rules and regulations which are intended to protect consumers from health insurance discrimination. One of these would be the Affordable Care Act, which is also known as the ACA or Obamacare. Pursuant to the ACA, it is illegal for an insurance company to deny a person health insurance coverage based upon a pre-existing condition. In the context of healthcare, a pre-existing condition or pre-existing illness is an illness which a person has prior to applying for their health care plan.
A pre-existing condition may be either a chronic or a long-term condition. There are some circumstances in which pregnancy may be considered a pre-existing condition for the purposes of a health insurance policy.
Pursuant to federal laws, an insurance company cannot deny coverage to a person based on their:
- Race;
- Color;
- National origin;
- Sex;
- Age; and/or
- Disability.
There are other insurance rules, regulations, and laws which may apply. Two examples of these include the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) and the Employee Retirement Security Act (“ERISA”). These laws provide additional protections for employees who are insured, and employees who are retired.
Is There Liability Insurance For Dogs?
Separate insurance for dogs is generally not necessary. This is because in many situations, any liability related to dogs and other pets may be covered by your homeowners insurance or a renters insurance policy. Both of these types of insurance cover both sides. An example of this would be how in a dog bite case, the victim’s insurance will generally protect the victim, while the dog owner’s insurance policy will cover the dog owner.
However, there are specific circumstances in which you may consider getting a different type of insurance for your dog or other type of pet. This is because dog-related damage is one of the leading causes of homeowner’s insurance claims. Some pet owners may consider animal liability coverage to be essential, because most insurance companies:
- Limit dog bite insurance coverage;
- Restrict certain breeds from coverage; or
- Exclude animal liability coverage altogether. Additionally, most housing communities such as apartments and condos have provisions for how you are expected to maintain and insure a dog.
While many people who have homeowners or renters insurance may be covered, you may need a different type of insurance as well. This is because of the restrictions on dog cases imposed by many insurance companies. Any dog can potentially cause some injuries or damages to your neighbor; however, a dog which is considerably bigger or who has an unfriendly temperament may be more likely to lead to liability.
Because some dogs have a history of aggressive behavior, it is especially important to have adequate coverage. Additionally, many insurance companies will not provide coverage if you own a dog which is on their “dangerous” breed list. Although the “dangerous” breed list can vary depending on the insurance company, and is considerably subjective, the types of dogs generally found on this list include:
- Pit Bulls;
- Akitas;
- Presa Canarios; and
- Bull Terriers.
To reiterate, even if the type of dog that you have is not on the dangerous list, many insurance companies will be reluctant to cover your dog if it has a history of aggression. If your dog has an incident with aggression, they may be placed in quarantine by your local Animal Control. In order to bring your dog home from quarantine, there are specific conditions that must be met. Some examples of the most common conditions are for the pet owner to provide a Certificate of Insurance, which shows:
- $100,000 of liability coverage;
- The wording “Dangerous Dog;” and
- Animal Control listed as an additional insured in your coverage.
What Is Dog Liability Insurance For Renters?
Some companies offer canine liability coverage. To reiterate, because many types of homeowners or renters insurance do not provide adequate protection for pet related liability, you may consider getting canine liability coverage.
If your homeowners or renters policy does not cover accidents caused by dogs, you could also get an umbrella policy, as such policies fill in the coverage gaps. However, when considering umbrella policies, it is important to confirm that they do provide coverage for an accident caused by your dog.
If your homeowners or renters insurance does cover accidents caused by dogs, but the liability coverage is not what you would consider to be adequate, you can get an umbrella policy or an excess policy. However, if your umbrella policy does not provide enough coverage, you can supplement this with an excess policy.
Renters can obtain renters insurance for their personal property, which may cover pet-related liability. However, because there are instances in which they will not, it is important to check with your insurance agent for more information about the details of your specific policy.
Another factor to consider would be your landlord, as well as the insurance which they maintain on the property. Landlords are generally reluctant to rent to people solely based on the size or breed of a particular pet that they own. In response, you can ask whether you can provide a letter from a veterinarian or a written assessment from a particular trainer, stating that your pet is friendly.
The Federation of Insured Dog Owners (“F.I.D.O.”) is an organization launched to offer Covered Canine Liability Insurance Policies for any breed of dog. It intends to provide valuable liability coverage for pet owners at an affordable price. Their policies start as low as $75 per year, per dog; plus, an annual membership fee to the organization. The policies that are offered by the organization are available throughout the country. Additionally, the organization covers any breed of dog.
Do I Need A Lawyer For Help With Liability Coverage For Dogs?
Any dog can bite, cause injury, and/or cause property damage, in which case the pet owner may be held liable. As such, it is important for pet owners to have adequate insurance coverage. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options, and will review any policy or contract before you sign in order to ensure you understand the legal arrangement you are entering into.
If you were injured by someone else’s pet and you are not covered, it is important to consult with an experienced insurance lawyer who can help you recover compensation for any injuries sustained by the incident.
