Filing an Insurance Claim After a Dog Bite in Illinois: What to Expect

When you are bitten by someone else’s dog in Illinois, the path to compensation usually runs through an insurance claim — most commonly against the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Understanding how this process works, what to expect from insurance adjusters, and when to involve an attorney can make the difference between a fair settlement and one that falls far short of covering your actual costs.

At Parker & Parker Attorneys at Law, we guide Peoria-area dog bite victims through the insurance claims process and ensure they are not taken advantage of by insurance companies looking to minimize payouts.

Which Insurance Policy Covers Dog Bite Claims?

In most dog bite cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance policy provides coverage for liability claims. These policies typically include personal liability coverage ranging from $100,000 to $300,000, which covers injuries caused by the policyholder’s dog — including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Some homeowner’s policies also include medical payments coverage (commonly $1,000 to $5,000), which pays the victim’s immediate medical bills regardless of fault. This coverage pays quickly and does not require a liability determination.

However, not all policies cover dog bites. Some insurers exclude specific breeds, and others exclude coverage entirely if the dog has a history of aggression. If the dog owner’s policy excludes dog bite claims, the owner becomes personally liable — which can make collection more difficult.

How to File a Dog Bite Insurance Claim

The claims process begins when you or your attorney files a third-party liability claim against the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Here are the key steps:

1. Identify the dog owner and their insurer. Animal control reports typically identify the dog owner, and you or your attorney can request their insurance information. If the owner is uncooperative, your attorney can obtain this through formal discovery once a lawsuit is filed.

2. Report the claim to the insurance company. Contact the dog owner’s insurance company and report the bite incident. Provide basic information about the date, location, and circumstances of the attack. Do not give a recorded statement at this stage without consulting an attorney.

3. Document everything. Following the proper steps after a dog bite — photographing injuries, keeping medical records, saving receipts, and maintaining a journal of symptoms — creates the foundation for your insurance claim.

4. Complete medical treatment. Do not rush to settle before you understand the full extent of your dog bite injuries. Infections, scarring, and psychological effects can develop weeks or months after the initial bite, and you cannot reopen a claim after accepting a settlement.

5. Submit a demand package. Your attorney prepares a demand letter that includes all medical records and bills, documentation of lost wages, photographs of injuries at various stages of healing, a narrative of how the injuries have affected your daily life, and a specific dollar amount for settlement.

What to Expect from the Insurance Adjuster

The insurance company will assign an adjuster to evaluate your claim. While adjusters may seem friendly and helpful, their job is to save the insurance company money. Common tactics include contacting you quickly after the bite to get a recorded statement before you understand the full extent of your injuries, offering a fast but low settlement to close the file cheaply, questioning whether the bite was really that serious, suggesting your injuries were pre-existing, and arguing that you provoked the dog.

Having an attorney handle communications with the adjuster protects you from these tactics and typically results in significantly higher settlements.

How Dog Bite Settlements Are Calculated

Insurance companies use several factors to evaluate dog bite claims. These include the total medical expenses (past and estimated future), the severity of scarring and disfigurement, the location of the bite (facial bites are valued higher), the victim’s age (children’s claims often have higher values), lost wages and earning capacity, the degree of pain and suffering, and the strength of the liability case under Illinois strict liability law.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average dog bite liability claim in the United States exceeds $50,000 — and serious cases involving infection, hospitalization, or significant scarring can be worth substantially more.

When a Lawsuit Becomes Necessary

Most dog bite claims settle through the insurance process without going to court. However, a lawsuit may be necessary if the insurance company disputes liability, the offered settlement is unreasonably low, the policy limits are insufficient to cover your damages, or the dog owner has no insurance and refuses to negotiate.

Filing a lawsuit does not mean going to trial — the vast majority of cases settle during the litigation process. But having an attorney willing to take your case to trial gives you significantly more leverage in negotiations.

If you have been bitten by a dog in Peoria or Central Illinois, contact Parker & Parker Attorneys at Law for a free consultation. We will evaluate your claim, identify all available insurance coverage, and pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will filing an insurance claim affect my relationship with the dog owner?

This is a common concern, especially when the dog owner is a friend, neighbor, or family member. The reality is that insurance exists for exactly this purpose — to handle liability claims without the dog owner paying out of pocket. The insurance company manages the entire process. Many people file claims against people they know without damaging the relationship.

What if the dog owner says their insurance does not cover dog bites?

The dog owner may not know what their policy covers, or they may be trying to discourage you from filing a claim. Your attorney can send a formal inquiry to the insurance company to verify coverage. If the policy genuinely excludes dog bites, the owner is personally liable for your damages, and other legal strategies — including asset discovery — may be pursued.

How long does a dog bite insurance claim take to resolve?

Simple dog bite claims with straightforward injuries may resolve within a few months. More complex cases involving infection, surgery, scarring, or disputes over liability can take six months to over a year. It is generally better to wait until you have fully recovered before settling, as this ensures your claim captures the complete cost of your injuries.