Summer 2006
NEWSLETTER to clients of Knox Insurance Brokers Ltd.
From Randy Bushey, A.I.I.C.,
General Manager
Summer 2006 |
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TOPIC: THE POTENTIAL RISK OF OWNING A DOG
The Canada Safety Council estimates that every year, 460,000 Canadians suffer a dog bite. An estimated 75,000 such injuries involve a visit for medical attention, and 500 cases are serious enough to require hospitalization. More troubling still, almost 70% of dog-bite victims are children under the age of 15.
As a result of such attacks, the provinces and many municipalities have passed various “dangerous dog” laws and by-laws which have resulted in a patchwork of liability standards resulting in complex claims processing.
Many people think that a “dog is entitled to its first bite”, but such is not the case. In Ontario, the Dog Owners’ Liability Act specifies that the “owner of a dog is liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person or domestic animal.” In fact, the act is specific that a dog owner cannot escape liability simply because of no prior knowledge of the dog’s inclination to attack or bite.
In most cases, Comprehensive Personal Liability policies sold through our firm, provide coverage for the liability relating to owned pets. In addition to taking steps to effectively manage the potential risk posed by their pets, pet-owners should consider increasing the limits of their liability coverage. In many cases, an additional $1,000,000. of coverage on a liability policy can be purchased for $30.00 annually.
As your broker, we want to assist you in understanding, accessing and managing the risk. We want to be your TRUSTED ADVISOR.
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