This week’s column highlights the importance of dog owners obtaining household contents insurance. Bert and Agnes purchase a new home in Coffs Harbour. They take out home building and contents insurance and move into their new home with their much loved dog Rover.
Just after Bert and Agnes move into their new home, Bert takes Rover to the nearby “dog beach” where you can walk dogs without a leash. Bert is aware that many owners let their dogs off their leashes and let them run free on the beach. Bert lets Rover off the leash because he knows that Rover is a very friendly dog.
Rover gets excited and runs over to another dog that is being walked by its owner, Fred. Rover knocks Fred over in his excitement and unfortunately, the fall causes a fracture to Fred’s leg. Bert, who is very apologetic, helps Fred to his car and drives him to the hospital for treatment. The two dogs, who are now friends, come along for the ride.
Two weeks after the accident, Bert receives a letter from Fred’s solicitor making a claim for damages as the fracture to Fred’s leg is preventing him from working in his job as a Plumber. Bert is very concerned and contacts the solicitor who assisted him with the purchase of his new home. The solicitor asks him to bring a copy of his insurance policy to the office.
Bert takes his home and contents policy to his solicitor and much to his delight, his solicitor tells him that his contents policy covers Fred’s injury caused by Rover and the insurance policy will also cover any legal costs that might be incurred.
Most contents insurance policies provide this type of cover and can also extend to damage to someone else’s property. If you are not a homeowner and you are concerned about something like this happening to you, most Renter’s contents insurance will provide you with the same protection.
Your individual circumstances may differ and accordingly, this column cannot be relied upon as legal advice.
