“There was a slight decrease in the 2021 average cost per claim,” said Janet Ruiz, CPCU, AIM, Director – Strategic Communication, Triple-I. “However, there was a steep increase in that cost over the past 10 years, no doubt due to increased medical costs, as well as the size of settlements, judgments and jury awards given to plaintiffs.” Ruiz noted the value of claims also has risen 44 percent over that same period.
As pet owners return to the workplace or school, pets will be left home alone. Behavioral issues, such as separation anxiety, could result in aggressive and destructive behavior. This could be a problem for dogs adopted during the pandemic, as well as pets now used to their owners being at home.
Number and Cost of Dog Bite Claims (And Other Dog-Related Injuries*), 2012-2021
|
Year |
Value of Claims |
Number of Claims |
Average Cost Per Claim |
|
2012 |
$489.7 |
16,459 |
$29,752 |
|
2013 |
483.7 |
17,359 |
27,862 |
|
2014 |
530.8 |
16,550 |
32,072 |
|
2015 |
571.3 |
15,352 |
37,214 |
|
2016 |
602.2 |
18,123 |
33,230 |
|
2017 |
686.3 |
18,522 |
37,051 |
|
2018 |
674.9 |
17,297 |
39,017 |
|
2019 |
796.8 |
17, 802 |
44,760 |
|
2020 |
853.7 |
17,567 |
50,245 |
|
2021 |
881.8 |
17,989 |
49,025 |
|
% change, 2020-2021 |
1.12% |
2.2% |
-1.1% |
|
% change, 2012-2021 |
44% |
9.0% |
39% |
Source: Insurance Information Institute, State Farm®.
*Claims costs are attributable not only to dog bites but also to dogs knocking down children, cyclists, and the elderly, which can result in costly injuries.
California continued to have the largest number of claims in the US, at 2,026 in 2021, a slight decrease from 2,121 in 2020. California also had the highest value of claims in 2021, at $120.7 millionand the highest average cost per claim in 2021, at $59,561. The state with the second-highest number of claims last year was Floridaat 1,478.
Estimated Number and Cost of Dog Bite Claims (And Other Dog-Related Injuries*), 2021 State Results
|
Rank |
State |
number of claims |
Average cost per claim |
Value of claims |
|
one |
AC |
2,026 |
$59,561 |
$120.7 |
|
two |
FL |
1,478 |
54,820 |
81.1 |
|
3 |
TX |
1,003 |
39,884 |
40.0 |
|
4 |
NY |
900 |
68,203 |
61.4 |
|
5 |
ME |
892 |
48,258 |
43.0 |
|
6 |
IL |
844 |
56,292 |
47.5 |
|
7 |
PA |
777 |
47,353 |
36.8 |
|
8 |
ooh |
732 |
41,499 |
30.4 |
|
9 |
NJ |
661 |
49,981 |
30.5 |
|
10 |
A-Z |
489 |
43,059 |
14.5 |
|
Top 10 |
9,752 |
52,543 |
512.4 |
|
|
Remaining States |
8,237 |
44,860 |
369.5 |
|
|
Total United States |
17,989 |
49,025 |
$881.9 |
Source: Insurance Information Institute, State Farm®.
Be A Responsible Dog Owner
National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 10-16, 2022) is an annual event designed to provide consumers with information on how to be responsible pet owners while increasing awareness of a serious public health issue.
Even dogs that are normally docile may bite when they are frightened or when defending their puppies, owners or food. However, the best way to protect yourself is to prevent your dog from biting anyone in the first place. The most dangerous dogs are those that fall victim to human shortcomings, such as poor training, irresponsible ownership and breeding practices that foster viciousness.
RELATED LINKS
infographic: National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 10-16, 2022)
Videos: Dog Bite Prevention
Four Tips to Keep Your Dog from Causing Any Harm
The Triple-I has a full library of educational videos on its YouTube Channel.
SOURCE Insurance Information Institute
.