Nov 29, 2025
Home Insurance and Pet Damage: What Owners Need to Know
Pets turn a house into a home, but they also introduce responsibilities—and potential financial risks—that many owners underestimate until something goes wrong. Whether it’s a dog knocking down a visitor, a cat damaging a neighbour’s property or a pet causing an unexpected injury, the consequences can be significant. Understanding how home insurance pet damage coverage works allows you to protect both your finances and your peace of mind.
If you’re unfamiliar with how home insurance works in general, review the basics here: What Is Home Insurance?
Pet owners’ responsibilities
In Canada, owning a pet is not just an emotional commitment—it carries legal duties. You are expected to control your pet at all times, whether inside your home, in your yard or in public spaces. Courts often rule that an owner is responsible for preventable incidents, even if the pet has no history of aggression. Proper training, safe handling, and awareness of your pet’s behaviour are essential.
If you’re unfamiliar with how liability works more broadly, read:
Understanding Liability Coverage
These responsibilities matter because insurers consider them when assessing your level of risk. A well-supervised, properly trained animal is less likely to cause an incident—and less likely to lead to a claim.
Informing your insurer
Insurance providers rely on full disclosure to evaluate risk accurately. When you buy or update a home insurance policy, you must tell your insurer if you have a pet. Some dog breeds, exotic pets or animals with a history of aggression may trigger stricter underwriting or even partial exclusions.
Failing to disclose this information can result in denied claims. For clarity on disclosure rules, check:
Insurance Disclosure Requirements
Even if your pet seems harmless, inform your provider. A simple oversight today could become a costly problem later.
Taking reasonable precautions
Even well-behaved pets can behave unpredictably when frightened or overstimulated. Reasonable precautions include:
• Obedience training
• Using a leash in public
• Preventing unsupervised encounters
• Ensuring visitors are aware of your pet
• Securing your yard or balcony
These precautions show your insurer that you take safety seriously. They also reduce the chances of an incident that could lead to medical bills or legal action.
External guideline:
American Veterinary Medical Association – Dog Bite Prevention
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/dog-bite-prevention
How home insurance covers pet damage
Most home insurance policies include personal liability coverage, which protects you financially if your pet injures someone or damages their property. For example:
• Your dog knocks down a delivery driver and they suffer an injury
• Your cat damages a neighbour’s expensive rug
• Your pet causes an accident while off-leash in a public area
In these cases, liability coverage may pay for medical fees, property repairs, legal representation and settlements.
For a general overview of home insurance categories, visit:
Home Insurance in Canada – Full Guide
Civil liability: injury and property damage
Liability coverage applies in two main areas:
Bodily injury: This includes bites, scratches, falls or any injury caused by your pet’s behaviour. Even a “friendly” dog can accidentally cause harm.
Property damage: This refers to damage your pet causes to someone else’s belongings or home.
Canadian consumer guidelines:
Government of Canada – Insurance Resources
https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/insurance.html
Liability claims can easily exceed several thousand dollars, especially in medical cases. That’s why understanding your coverage limits is crucial.
Damage to your own belongings
One of the biggest misconceptions among pet owners is that home insurance will pay for damage caused by their own pets inside the home. Unfortunately, these incidents—scratched floors, chewed doors, torn furniture, damaged blinds—are usually not covered. Insurers consider them preventable events resulting from daily pet ownership.
The rule of thumb:
Insurance protects you from financial harm caused to others, not damage you can prevent at home.
Exclusions and deductibles
Policies vary, but certain exclusions are common. Some insurers limit coverage for specific breeds or animals with documented behavioural issues. Exotics—such as snakes, large birds or certain reptiles—may also fall outside standard coverage.
Deductibles also apply to liability claims. Knowing your deductible amount ensures you’re prepared for any out-of-pocket costs.
More on deductibles here:
Home Insurance Deductibles Explained
Legal requirements: registration and compliance
Many municipalities require pet registration, vaccinations and adherence to bylaws. Failure to comply—such as owning an unlicensed dog—can affect your insurance outcome. Some insurers may reduce or deny coverage following an incident involving an unregistered animal.
Maintaining documentation is simple but important: keep vaccination records, registration papers and behavioral reports up to date.
Filing a claim after a pet-related incident
If an incident occurs:
- Report it to your insurer immediately
- Document the situation thoroughly
- Provide photos, witness statements and medical or repair bills
- Avoid admitting fault before speaking with your insurer
More details here:
How to File an Insurance Claim
Quick reporting protects your financial liability and speeds up processing.
When to contact an insurance advisor
If you’re unsure whether your current policy covers your specific pet—or if you’re considering adding additional liability protection—speaking with an advisor ensures clarity.
You can reach a licensed expert here:
Contact an Insurance Expert