El Paso County · Homeowner's insurance
Monument Dog Bite Insurance Lawyers
Monument dog bite victims: free consultation, no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Homeowner and Renter Insurance After a Monument Dog Bite
When a dog bites someone in Monument, the claim usually gets presented to the dog owner's homeowner or renter insurance policy. That is the typical starting point, but it is not automatic. Not every policy covers a dog bite claim, and the specific policy language decides what is and is not covered.
Some policies contain exclusions tied to certain breeds, a dog's prior bite history, or use of the dog for business purposes. Whether an exclusion applies depends on the actual wording of the policy at issue, not on any general list. We review the policy itself to see what it says and whether the insurer is applying it correctly.
When an insurer denies a claim or delays responding, that can raise a legitimate question about coverage and, in some cases, about how the insurer is handling the claim. Not every denial or delay amounts to bad faith, but it is worth having someone look at the file and the correspondence to understand why the insurer is taking the position it is taking.
What We Look At in a Coverage Dispute
We start by identifying the policy in force at the time of the bite and obtaining a complete copy, including any endorsements or exclusions. From there we compare the policy language to the facts of the incident to see whether an exclusion genuinely applies or whether the insurer is reading the policy too broadly.
We also gather the claim file itself, including the notice given to the insurer, any correspondence about the denial or delay, and the reasons the insurer has given in writing. That record matters if the coverage decision needs to be challenged.
- Keep a copy of the homeowner or renter policy if you can get one
- Save all letters, emails, and claim numbers from the insurer
- Write down what the insurer told you and when, including any reasons given for a denial
- Keep medical records and bills related to the bite
- Avoid signing any insurer settlement release before it's reviewed
Handling Insurance Claims for Monument Residents
We work with clients throughout Monument and the surrounding area, including along Colorado Highway 105, near Second Street, and out toward Palmer Lake, where many dog bite incidents happen on residential property covered by a homeowner or renter policy. If a case needs to be filed, it would typically go through El Paso County Combined Courts.
Our office is at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, a short drive down I-25 from Monument. If injuries from the bite require treatment, UCHealth Memorial Hospital North in Colorado Springs is a facility many Monument residents use, and those medical records often become part of the insurance claim file.
What May Be at Stake in a Coverage Claim
- Medical treatment costs tied to the bite
- Lost income if the injury kept you from work
- Pain and suffering related to the injury
- Scarring or disfigurement from the bite
- Future medical needs connected to the injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Monument — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Monument Homeowner's insurance FAQ
Does homeowner's insurance always cover a dog bite in Monument?
Not always. Coverage depends on the specific policy language, including any exclusions for certain breeds, a dog's bite history, or business use. We review the actual policy to see what it says.
What if the insurer says the dog's breed is excluded?
The policy language controls, not a general assumption about which breeds are excluded. We look at the exact wording of the exclusion and whether it truly applies to the facts of the bite.
What happens if the insurance company denies my claim?
A denial raises a coverage question that deserves a closer look at the policy and the insurer's stated reasons. Not every denial is wrongful, but we can evaluate whether the insurer's position holds up.
What if the claim is just delayed, not denied?
A delay can also raise concerns about how the insurer is handling the claim. We review the correspondence and timeline to understand why the delay is happening.
Do I need to deal with the insurance company myself?
No. We can communicate with the insurer on your behalf and review the policy and claim file. Free consultation, and there's no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Discuss a Monument dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.