Home insurance: The cost of dog-bite claims

From 2003 to 2011, the cost of the average dog-bite claim jumped by 53 percent, while the number of claims actually decreased by 4 percent. Dog bites accounted for more than one-third of all homeowner’s insurance liability claims paid in 2011.

Here’s a rundown of the estimated number and cost of dog-bite claims dating back to 2003.

2011

Value of claims
$478.9 million

Number of claims
16,292

Average cost per claim
$29,396

2010

Value of claims
$412.6 million

Number of claims
15,770

Average cost per claim
$26,166

2009

Value of claims
$412 million

Number of claims
16,586

Average cost per claim
$24,840

2008

Value of claims
$387.2 million

Number of claims
15,823

Average cost per claim
$24,461

2007

Value of claims
$356.2 million

Number of claims
14,531

Average cost per claim
$24,511

2006

Value of claims
$322.3 million

Number of claims
14,661

Average cost per claim
$21,987

2005

Value of claims
$321.1 million

Number of claims
14,295

Average cost per claim
$22,464

2004

Value of claims
$319 million

Number of claims
15,630

Average cost per claim
$20,406

2003

Value of claims
$324.2 million

Number of claims
16,919

Average cost per claim
$19,162

Sources: Insurance Information Institute, State Farm