By Tremaine Merrill | Merrill Insurance Agency, Joliet, IL | Protect the Empire: Case Files Series

Imagine this: A neighbor’s child rings your doorbell to sell fundraiser candy. Your dog, startled by the knock, lunges through the open door and bites the child’s arm. Surgery is required. The family hires an attorney. Eighteen months later, you’re sitting across from a $500,000 judgment.

Does that sound extreme? It happens in Illinois more than most people realize. And under Illinois law, it can happen to you even if your dog has never bitten anyone before in its life.

This is the kind of case we break down every week in our Protect the Empire: Case Files series. Because the best time to understand your insurance coverage is before you need it — not after.

What Illinois Law Actually Says About Dog Bites

Illinois is what’s known as a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. That means the law doesn’t require a dog bite victim to prove that you were negligent or that you knew your dog was dangerous. They simply need to show two things:

• They were lawfully present on the property or in a public place
• They did not provoke the dog

That’s it. Under the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/16), if both of those conditions are met, you are liable. Period.

This is a significant departure from the laws of many other states, which follow a ‘one bite rule’ — meaning owners only face liability if they knew their dog had a history of aggression. Illinois eliminated that protection entirely. Your dog doesn’t get a free first bite here.

What These Cases Actually Cost in Illinois

The numbers tell a sobering story. In 2023, dog bite liability claims cost homeowners insurance companies across the United States more than $1.12 billion — with the average claim settling at approximately $58,545 according to the Insurance Information Institute.

But averages don’t tell the full story. Illinois cases involving serious injuries — nerve damage, permanent scarring, disfigurement, or long-term psychological trauma — routinely result in much larger verdicts and settlements. Illinois trial attorneys report cases settling for $500,000, $700,000, and in the most severe cases, over $1 million.

The difference between a $50,000 claim and a $500,000 verdict often comes down to the severity of the injury and the limits of the homeowner’s insurance policy.

The Hidden Gap in Your Homeowners Policy

Here’s where most Illinois homeowners get caught off guard. Many assume their homeowners policy provides unlimited protection for dog bite claims. In reality, there are several potential gaps that could leave you personally exposed:

Common Coverage Gaps to Watch For

Breed exclusions — Many carriers exclude specific breeds such as pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Dobermans. If your dog is on the excluded list, your policy may not cover a bite claim at all

Coverage limits — Standard liability limits of $100,000 are common, but Illinois verdicts regularly exceed that amount in serious cases

Prior bite history — Some carriers will drop coverage or refuse renewal if your dog has a documented bite history. Business exclusions — If the bite happens in connection with a home-based business, standard homeowners coverage may not apply

The dangerous assumption is that because you have homeowners insurance, you are fully protected. That assumption can cost you everything above your policy limit — paid directly out of your savings, your assets, and your future income.

What You Can Do Right Now

The good news is that reviewing and adjusting your coverage before a claim happens is straightforward — and often more affordable than you’d expect. Here’s what we recommend for Illinois dog owners:

1. Review your current liability limits. Know exactly how much coverage you have and whether it’s adequate for your situation.
2. Ask your agent specifically about dog breed exclusions. Find out if your breed is covered under your current carrier’s policy.
3. Consider a personal umbrella policy. An umbrella policy provides an additional layer of liability coverage — typically $1 million or more — above your homeowners policy limits. For dog owners in Illinois, this is worth serious consideration.
4. Keep documentation. Vaccination records, training records, and a history of responsible ownership can all be relevant to a claim.

A Note on Illinois Renters

This issue isn’t limited to homeowners. If you rent your home or apartment in Illinois and own a dog, your renters insurance policy should include personal liability coverage as well. Many renters don’t realize they face the same strict liability exposure as homeowners — and that a renters policy with strong liability limits is essential protection.

Protect Your Empire Before the Bite Happens

At Merrill Insurance Agency, we believe the most valuable conversation we can have with our clients happens before a claim — not after. That’s the whole point of the Case Files series. Real Illinois cases, real verdicts, real lessons that help you make smarter decisions about your coverage.

If you own a dog, live in Illinois, and haven’t had a conversation with your insurance agent about your liability limits and breed coverage in the last year, that conversation is overdue.

We serve homeowners throughout Joliet, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Lockport, Shorewood, and across Will County and Illinois.

Ready to review your homeowners liability coverage? Call us at 815-230-1914 or visit merrillagency.com to request a free policy review. Protect the Empire — Even If It’s Just You (For Now)