U.S. insurers paid $1.57 billion for dog-related injury claims in 2024, according to a joint report from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and State Farm. The year saw 22,658 claims, representing a 19% increase from 2023 and a 48% increase over the past decade. The average cost per claim climbed from $58,545 in 2023 to $69,272 in 2024. Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications at Triple-I, noted that California, Florida, and Texas had the highest number of claims.
"Education and training for owners and pets is key to keep everyone safe and healthy," stated Ruiz.
Gina Morss-Fischer, corporate communications specialist at State Farm, emphasized the company's commitment to promoting safety and awareness: "State Farm is proud to support National Dog Bite Prevention Week and contribute data that helps raise awareness around dog-related injuries. While most dogs are loving companions, even well-behaved pets can bite if startled or stressed. Education is key to prevention—helping families, pets, and communities stay safe together."
During National Dog Bite Prevention Week, which runs from April 13-18, veterinarians, animal behavior experts, and insurance representatives urged for heightened awareness regarding dog bite risks and prevention measures. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports that 45.5% of U.S. households own dogs, totaling nearly 90 million pets nationwide, while more than 4.5 million people are bitten each year.
Dr. Sandra Faeh, president of the AVMA, highlighted the potential for education to prevent incidents: "Almost all dog bites are preventable and prevention begins with education. By learning about dog behavior and teaching kids how to safely interact with dogs, we can help protect both people and pets. Responsible pet ownership and respectful interactions are key to strengthening the human-animal bond and reducing the risk of injury."
The National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition shared several tips to reduce incidents, such as supervising children around dogs, ensuring pets' health, socializing them gradually, and understanding dog body language. Victoria Stilwell, a celebrity dog trainer, underscored the importance of positive training techniques: "We can help prevent dog bites by understanding what dogs need in order to thrive. This is best done using positive training methods... How you teach a dog really does matter."
Triple-I has been a resource for insurance data and insights since 1960, providing support to various industry professionals, consumers, and policymakers.