If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Louisiana, one of the very first questions you might ask is how medical bills and other damages will be paid.
The short answer is yes: dog bites are typically covered by insurance in Louisiana, but the specific policy that applies depends entirely on where the incident occurred and who owns the animal.
What Type of Insurance Covers Dog Bites?
Dog bite claims are rarely paid directly out of an individual’s pocket. Instead, they are usually covered under the liability portion of a property insurance policy.
- Homeowners Insurance: According to the Insurance Information Institute, standard homeowners insurance policies typically provide between $100,000 and $300,000 in liability coverage for dog bite injuries. If an owner’s dog bites someone on or off the owner’s property, this liability coverage helps cover medical expenses, lost wages, and legal defense fees.
- Renters Insurance: If the dog owner rents their home or apartment, their renters insurance policy generally provides the same liability protection. Data analyzed by Insurify indicates that most renters’ policies cover dog bites unless the specific breed has been explicitly excluded by the carrier.
- Landlord Liability: Landlords are not automatically liable for a tenant’s dog. A landlord claim may exist only under specific facts, such as knowledge of a dangerous animal, control over the premises, lease authority to remove or restrict the dog, or failure to address a known hazard.
The Catch: Breed Restrictions and Exclusions
It is critical to note that insurance companies are increasingly restricting coverage for certain dog breeds. As detailed by Higginbotham Insurance, some providers utilize “dangerous breed lists” (often including Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, or German Shepherds) and may exclude those breeds from liability coverage entirely, or require a separate animal liability rider.
Furthermore, as outlined in the Liberty Mutual Pet Liability Guide, the insurer may raise coverage defenses depending on the policy language, application, exclusions, and facts.
Louisiana’s Strict Dog Bite Laws
Recovering compensation through an insurance company requires understanding Louisiana’s specific legal framework.
Louisiana Civil Code article 2321 treats dog cases differently from other animal cases. A dog owner is strictly liable for injuries to people or property caused by the dog if the injury could have been prevented and was not caused by the injured person’s provocation.
That means the owner generally cannot defeat the claim simply by saying the dog had never bitten anyone before.
The key disputes are usually:
- Preventability
- Provocation
- Ownership
- Damages
- Insurance coverage
Navigating insurance companies after a severe attack can be incredibly overwhelming. Adjusters frequently attempt to minimize payouts or argue that the victim provoked the animal.
Working with an experienced Louisiana dog bite lawyer ensures that the insurance policies are properly reviewed, policy limits are identified, and your rights are aggressively protected.
Getting Help with Your Claim
Even when insurance coverage exists, securing the compensation required for surgeries, scar revision, and psychological trauma can be an uphill battle.
If you or someone you care about has suffered an unexpected injury due to an animal attack, knowing your legal options is the first step toward recovery.
Reach out to a trusted legal team to discuss your situation and learn how to hold negligent owners accountable.
Last reviewed/updated: [July 8 ,2026]
Reviewed, updated, and authored by: Stephen Babcock, Louisiana trial lawyer