Does Your Renter’s Insurance Cover Damage Caused by Your Dog?

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Your landlord might have been fine with your four-legged family member when you moved in. But they’ll have a change of heart once they realize all the damage Fido’s done to their rental unit. 

Unfortunately, dogs can cause a wide range of damage to your home. Left to their own devices, they can tear up linoleum or carve deep scratches into hardwood. They might chew baseboards, cupboards, and furniture when bored or anxious. Or they might leave behind stains and odors in flooring. 

Eventually, your landlord will notice these issues, and there’s a good chance they’ll ask you to pay for the repairs. Here’s what you need to consider.

Pet Policy

Many landlords have a pet policy that outlines the rules, restrictions, and clauses that pertain to your dog. This is where you’ll find any clause relating to a pet deposit. If you had to put down a pet deposit, your landlord might use this to cover any repairs needed after Fido’s rampage. 

Security Deposit

While you might not have heard of pet policies before, you probably have run into security deposits before. Most landlords ask you to put down a refundable deposit when you sign your lease. 

You’ll get it back unless your landlord needs to repair something you damaged during your tenancy. However, if your dog made a mess of the carpet or tore up the floors, expect to say goodbye to your deposit. 

Renter’s Insurance

Renter’s insurance is a must-have for every renter, as it protects you from natural disasters or negligent maintenance that damages your property or causes bodily harm. Depending on your policy, it may extend to cover your pets, too.

Unfortunately, many policies only cover when your dog hurts someone or causes damage to someone else’s personal property. Your rental apartment doesn’t always count under these conditions. 

Sneaky Repairs

Are you handy with a drill or hammer? Can you clean messes or repair any damages before your landlord notices them? Taking on repairs yourself might be cheaper this way, as you can choose the materials and avoid the cost of labor. 

Online Loan

Some damage takes a lot of money to repair, and your deposit might not be enough. That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for the rest of the bill; your landlord may expect you to pay for the rest of it out of pocket. 

Paying for damages when you’re moving can be hard. If you’ve already put some moving expenses on your credit card, you might have to take out a loan online. To find out how to apply, you can visit a website like MoneyKey to learn more about loans by phone or laptop. If approved, you may receive your loan by phone and use it to cover your repairs. 

How to Avoid Damages in the First Place?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here’s what you can do to prevent damages from ever happening.

  • Make sure they get enough exercise throughout the day
  • Keep their nails trimmed
  • Give them interactive toys that engage and tire them out
  • Install pet-scratch guards
  • Consider a dog walker or doggy daycare to keep them occupied while you’re at work
  • Keep enzymatic cleaners on hand
  • Consider enrolling your dog in training if they exhibit destructive behavior

These small tweaks to your habits can help you prevent your dog from causing damages, so you aren’t stuck with a massive bill.