9. New Jersey
Number of claims in 2022:
550
Total value of dog bite claims in 2022:
$41.2 million
Average cost per claim in 2022:
$74,837
(Credit: railroad fx/Shutterstock.com)
8.Ohio
Number of claims in 2022:
658
Total value of dog bite claims in 2022:
$33.4 million
Average cost per claim in 2022:
$50,692
(Credit: rouda100/Adobe Stock)
7.Illinois
Number of claims in 2022:
729
Total value of dog bite claims in 2022:
$49 million
Average cost per claim in 2022:
$67,238
(Credit: SevenMaps/Shutterstock)
6. Pennsylvania
Number of claims in 2022:
805
Total value of dog bite claims in 2022:
$53.6 million
Average cost per claim in 2022:
$66,636
(Credit: andreykr/Adobe Stock)
5.Michigan
Number of claims in 2022:
905
Total value of dog bite claims in 2022:
$44.8 million
Average cost per claim in 2022:
$49,502
(Credit: Kenneth Keifer/Shutterstock.com)
4. New York
Number of claims in 2022:
969
Total value of dog bite claims in 2022:
$75 million
Average cost per claim in 2022:
$77,421
(Credit: Jan Christopher Becke/Adobe Stock)
3.Texas
Number of claims in 2022:
1,017
Total value of dog bite claims in 2022:
$67 million
Average cost per claim in 2022:
$65,923
(Credit: Moab Republic/Adobe Stock)
2. Florida
Number of claims in 2022:
1,331
Total value of dog bite claims in 2022:
$104.1 million
Average cost per claim in 2022:
$78,203
(Credit: Matt Stroshane/Bloomberg)
1. California
Number of claims in 2022:
1,954
Total value of dog bite claims in 2022:
$154 million
Average cost per claim in 2022:
$78,818
(Credit: Yuval Helfman/Adobe Stock)
Last year saw a 2.2% decline in the number of dog-related injury claims nationwide, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
However, the cost of such claims in 2022 increased 28% from the previous year, Triple-I reported. The average cost, per claim, increased 32% year over year to $64,555. The total cost of dog bite and dog-related injury claims reached $1.3 billion in 2022.
The slideshow above details the 10 states with the most dog bite claims and the highest related claim costs, according to Triple-I estimates. The states on the list account for more than half of dog bite and related claims and claim costs seen in the United States.
According to Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications at Triple-I, the decline in these claims shows progress has been made in educating dog owners about responsible pet ownership.
“Educating dog owners to be responsible will reduce dog-related injuries because, under the right circumstances, any dog could bite,” Ruiz said in a statement.
To that end, the Triple-I offers the following tips to help dog owners reduce the risk of a biting incident or other act of aggression:
- Know your dog’s aggression triggers.
- Keep your dog safe at home if he constantly overreacts to visitors.
- Start your dog’s training sessions early.
Pedestrians and others encountering unfamiliar dogs should:
- Never approach a dog that is barking, growling or afraid
- Ask permission from the dog’s guardian before petting his dog
- Avoid leaving children 10 and under alone with a dog
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