The finer points of liability arising from dog bites were under discussion in USA Today in an article featuring Neilson Marketing Services client Deborah Turner, president of the Altamonte Springs, Florida-based Dean Insurance Agency and the specialty niche she heads which offers Canine Liability policies at The Canine Liability coverage Turner provides to her clients doesn't pit "good dog" vs. "bad dog." She says most dogs (including pit bulls) are insurable, contrary to popular belief (and the practice of some major insurers). According to Turner, many bites occur not because the dog is vicious but because of the specifics of the situation in which "the dog reacts like an animal, not like a furry family member," she says. Nevertheless, such coverage is valuable financial protection for pet owners who, without it, could find themselves liable for significant costs to pay for injuries and damages that occur to others caused by their pet. With the average dog-related liability claim amounting to more than $32,000 in 2014, according to the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm, pet owners from Dachshunds to Dobermans are increasingly realizing that said ownership without coverage places them in an untenable situation.
But coverage isn't always easy to come by--especially when some insurers, shying away from mounting liability concerns, either charge more to cover certain breeds, require owners to sign documents waiving liability for dog bites, reduce policy limits or exclude coverage for canines altogether. This unmet need led Turner to step up and step in with DogBiteQuote.com, an online resource where pet owners can obtain Canine Liability coverage for medical expenses and legal defense for injuries caused by most any breed and in any state (with only one exclusion-Alaska). Coverage is made available through Dean Insurance, an independent agency established in 1994.
Turner, who has for years relied on Neilson Marketing Services and its Agency Tsunami service to design and develop DogBiteQuote.com and for ongoing content marketing and SEO, notes the price-point for this no-deductible coverage is particularly attractive to clients--as low as $200 annually for $25,000 of coverage, with policy amounts available up to $300,000. Furthermore, utilizing Canine Liability coverage for a claim rather than the possibly limited (if any) protection available under one's homeowners or renters policy leaves those coverages intact and unblemished for a better claims experience. More than 33% of homeowners insurance claims paid in 2014 resulted from liability for dog-related injuries; thus, pet owners who would rather keep their homeowners coverage focused on protecting their property; keep their premiums as low as possible; and reduce the chances of cancellation for excessive claims may also prefer to have separate policies for these risks.
As an independent agent with decades of experience, a true and abiding passion for dogs and a deep understanding of their behavior, Turner is pleased to offer clients exceptional value and protection for dog bite liability, and strives to make it easy for clients to find what she has to offer. To that end, Neilson Marketing redesigned and launched DogBiteQuote.com in November for Turner, enhancing the purchase experience for busy clients. Within four months of the re-launch, more than 1,500 leads were generated.
Initially available only in Florida, the coverage has grown in popularity and expanded over the past few years to encompass every state, with the exception of Alaska. To request a fast, no-obligation quote as well as helpful tips regarding dog care and behavior, clients may click on DogBiteQuote.com or call (800) 721-3326.
For more than 25 years, Neilson Marketing Services has been delivering strategic insurance marketing solutions to agencies, brokerages, MGAs, wholesalers, carriers and vendors. Services include insurance telemarketing, Internet Marketing, content marketing, list purchasing, and email marketing. Neilson Marketing Services owns ProgramBusiness.com.