Bitten in Michigan and the dog owner has no insurance? You may still have options. Free case review with Solomon Radner.
One of the first questions every dog bite victim asks after they realize they have a legal case is: “Does the dog owner have insurance?” The honest answer is usually yes — most homeowners and renters have insurance that covers dog bites. But not always. Sometimes the dog owner has no insurance at all. Sometimes they have insurance but the policy specifically excludes dog bites. Sometimes the policy excludes the specific breed (this is common with pit bulls, Rottweilers, and a handful of other breeds).
This guide explains what happens when the dog owner has no insurance, what alternative sources of recovery exist, and why an experienced Michigan dog bite attorney can often find compensation when victims thought there was none.
First: The Owner May Have Insurance Even If They Say They Don’t
Dog owners often tell victims they don’t have insurance — sometimes because they genuinely believe it, sometimes to discourage the claim. Before accepting that, the actual insurance coverage needs to be investigated.
- Homeowner’s insurance. If they own a home with a mortgage, they almost certainly have homeowner’s insurance (mortgages require it).
- Renter’s insurance. Many leases require it. Tenants sometimes forget they have it.
- Umbrella liability policies. Higher-income dog owners often carry umbrella policies on top of their primary insurance.
- Auto policies (rare). Some attacks in or near a vehicle may trigger auto policy coverage.
- Business insurance. If the dog was on commercial premises (workplace, store, kennel), the business may have insurance.
A good Michigan dog bite attorney has tools to investigate insurance coverage that the average victim does not. We often find insurance that the dog owner didn’t even know they had.
What If the Dog Owner Genuinely Has No Insurance?
If a thorough investigation confirms no insurance exists, there are still potential paths to recovery.
1. Personal Assets of the Dog Owner
A dog owner without insurance is personally liable for the full damages under MCL 287.351. You can still sue and obtain a judgment. The challenge is collecting it. Collection options include:
- Wage garnishment (limited under Michigan law)
- Bank account levies
- Liens on real estate
- Seizure of non-exempt personal property
Whether collection is realistic depends on the defendant’s financial situation. We evaluate this honestly with every client before recommending litigation against an uninsured defendant.
2. Landlord Liability (Rental Properties)
If the bite occurred at a rental property, the landlord may have liability separate from the dog owner. Landlords have commercial insurance that’s typically more substantial than tenant insurance. See our guide to apartment dog bite cases.
3. Other Liable Parties
Michigan law allows recovery from anyone who “harbored” or “kept” the dog, not just the legal owner. Sometimes this opens additional defendants. Examples: an adult child living with parents whose dog bit you (both the adult child and the parents may be liable); a roommate caring for the dog while the owner was away; a kennel or boarder who lost control of the dog.
4. Your Own Insurance (Limited)
Some health insurance plans cover dog bite medical bills, though they often have subrogation rights against any recovery you obtain. If you have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance with medical payments coverage, it may help with immediate medical bills. These don’t compensate for pain and suffering but reduce financial pressure during the case.
When Insurance Excludes Dog Bites or Specific Breeds
This is increasingly common. Insurance companies have responded to high dog bite claim volumes by excluding certain breeds (pit bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Akitas, Chow Chows, Huskies, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Cane Corsos) or by excluding dog bite claims entirely.
If you find yourself in this situation:
- Confirm the exclusion actually applies. Insurance companies sometimes claim exclusions don’t apply when they do. An attorney can read the policy.
- Look for alternate coverage. Other policies (umbrella, business, etc.) may cover where the primary policy doesn’t.
- Pursue the owner personally. The exclusion only affects insurance coverage, not the owner’s personal liability.
- Investigate the owner’s compliance with insurance disclosure. If the owner lied to their insurance company about owning the dog or the breed, there may be a “bad faith” issue that affects coverage.
Should You Pursue an Uninsured Case?
Honestly, sometimes no. If the dog owner has no insurance and no significant assets, getting a judgment may be a paper victory with no real recovery. We are upfront with clients about this.
But more often than not, with thorough investigation, there is some source of recovery available. Severe injuries with no recovery should be the rare exception, not the rule.
Talk to an Attorney Before Giving Up
Before assuming there’s no recovery available, talk to a Michigan dog bite attorney. The case review is free, and we don’t take cases we can’t help with. If we tell you it’s worth pursuing, it’s because we believe there’s a real path to compensation. If we tell you it’s not, you’ve saved time and emotional energy by knowing that upfront.
The Michigan Dog Bite Law Firm, led by Solomon Radner, exclusively handles dog bite cases throughout Michigan. No fee unless we recover.
Bitten in Michigan and worried about insurance?
Call 1-800-LAWSUIT for a free, honest evaluation. We’ll tell you straight whether a case is worth pursuing.