If your cat, dog or other pet damages someone else’s property or causes injury to another person the costs incurred are covered by your family liability insurance. Nadia from Hoevenen (Antwerp Province) has experience of this. She told our consumer affairs programme ‘WinWin’ of a tragic incident in which her dog was bitten to death by three other dogs. The owner of the dogs’ insurance company reimbursed her for cost of cremating her beloved pet. “Of course money is not the answer because it won’t get me my dog back”.
Family liability insurance also covers injury and damage caused by your pets
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You can claim on your family liability insurance to compensate others for material or physical damage caused by yourself or other members of your household to another person and/or their property. But did you know that family liability insurance also covers damage caused by your pets?
An extreme example of a situation where a family liability insurance claim can be made is what happened to Nadia from Hoevenen, in Antwerp Province. During a visit to an area where dogs are allowed to run free, her dog was suddenly attacked by three other dogs. “The children that were walking with them were unable to get the animals under control. I tried to save my dog, but this was to no avail.”
“The other dogs kept on biting. When I finally got my dog free, she was lying in my arms like a rag doll. I tried to resuscitate her, but I saw very quickly that there was no point and she died in my arms.”
Animals can be unpredictable
This was a highly traumatic experience for Nadia and of course, no amount of money will be able to bring her dog back. However, fortunately, Nadia was reimbursed for the cost she incurred as a result of her dog’s death by the owner of the other 3 dogs’ family liability insurance.
“I contacted my own insurance company first and they handled everything for me. I had to collect evidence, such as photos and a vet's report. Once I’d done that my insurance company recovered the costs I had incurred from the other party.”
Barbara Van Speybroeck of the insurance industry federation Assuralia told VRT News that "Animals are animals and they can react in unpredictable ways, sometimes even with fatal results. Family liability insurance will reimburse all costs arising from this kind of claim. Veterinary costs, including cremation costs if an animal dies will be reimbursed.”
If there is ambiguity about who was responsible it is best enlist the help of the police. “This is not necessary for insurance purposes, but it can help clarify who was responsible. What exactly happened, who owns the dog, ... These are all questions that the police can clear up”, Barbara Van Speybroeck told the VRT.
Exceptions and deductibles
As with all forms of insurance, there are some exceptions. So always carefully check the terms and conditions contained in your policy or seek advice from your insurance broker.
Also bear in mind that most family insurance policies have “deductible”, a fixed amount that is not covered. This usually fluctuates between 200 and 300 euro. Any damage caused that is below that amount will have to be reimbursed out of your own pocket.
Pet insurance
Family liability insurance should not be confused with pet insurance. Pet insurance covers medical expenses for your pets. For example, a visit to the vet if your pet is ill or has to undergo an operation. Sometimes pet insurance also covers cremation costs. However, the cost of having your pet sterilised or castrated is often not included in the policy. Once again you should check all conditions of the policy carefully before signing.