Adams County · Homeowner's insurance
Commerce City Dog Bite Insurance Lawyers
Commerce City dog bite claim? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Homeowner's and Renter's Insurance in a Commerce City Dog Bite Claim
When someone is bitten by a dog in Commerce City, the claim is usually presented to the dog owner's homeowner or renter insurance policy. That does not mean coverage is automatic. Not every policy covers dog bites, and the specific policy language controls what is and is not covered.
Some policies exclude coverage for certain breeds, for a dog with a documented prior bite, or for a dog used in connection with a business. We review the actual policy to see what exclusions apply rather than assuming coverage exists or assuming it does not. The insurer's own policy terms, not a general rule, decide the outcome.
When an insurer denies or delays a claim, that can raise a legitimate coverage question. In some cases, how the insurer handled the claim becomes its own issue. We do not assume every denial or delay is done in bad faith, but we look closely at the file to see whether the insurer treated the claim fairly under the policy.
What We Look At in the Policy and the Claim File
We start by identifying the homeowner or renter policy that applies to the dog owner where the bite happened, whether that is near 104th Avenue, along U.S. Highway 85, close to I-76, or elsewhere in Commerce City. We request a copy of the full policy, including declarations and any endorsements, so we can see the actual exclusion language rather than relying on assumptions about what a standard policy contains.
We also gather the claim correspondence: the notice submitted to the insurer, any request for additional information, and the insurer's response. If a denial letter cites a breed exclusion, a prior-bite exclusion, or a business-use exclusion, we compare that reasoning against the facts of the incident and the policy's actual wording to see whether the denial holds up.
- Get the dog owner's name, address, and insurance information if possible
- Keep copies of any letters or emails from the insurance company
- Do not sign a release or accept a settlement before the claim is reviewed
- Save records of care received, including any visit to Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital
- Write down what happened while the details are fresh
Handling Commerce City Insurance Claims
We work with Commerce City clients whether the bite happened near 104th Avenue, along U.S. Highway 85, near I-76, or in neighboring areas like Brighton or Thornton. If a lawsuit becomes necessary, Adams County cases are handled out of the Adams County Justice Center. Our office is based in Denver, and we travel to meet Commerce City clients when needed.
We know insurers writing homeowner and renter policies in this area, and we know the kinds of exclusion language that comes up in bite claims. That familiarity helps us move quickly to identify the real coverage question instead of guessing at what the policy says.
What a Homeowner's Insurance Claim May Cover
- Medical treatment related to the bite
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income if the injury kept you from work
- Future medical needs tied to the injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Commerce City — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Commerce City Homeowner's insurance FAQ
Does homeowner's insurance always cover a dog bite in Commerce City?
No. Coverage depends on the specific policy language, and some policies exclude certain breeds, dogs with a prior bite history, or business use of the dog. We review the actual policy rather than assuming it covers or excludes the claim.
What if the insurance company denies the claim?
A denial can raise a legitimate coverage question that deserves a closer look at the policy and the insurer's stated reasons. Not every denial is improper, but we review the file to see whether the insurer applied the policy correctly.
What if the dog owner is a renter instead of a homeowner?
Renter's insurance policies can also provide coverage for a dog bite, subject to the same kind of policy language and exclusions found in homeowner policies. We look at whichever policy applies to the dog owner involved.
Can I still have a claim if the insurer says the breed is excluded?
A breed exclusion in a specific policy can affect coverage, but the exclusion language varies by insurer and policy. We review the policy directly instead of assuming a breed is excluded because of general assumptions.
What should I do before talking to the insurance adjuster?
Avoid signing any release or accepting an early settlement offer before your claim has been reviewed. Keep records of the incident, any medical care, and all correspondence, and consider speaking with us first.
Discuss a Commerce City dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.