Does My Own Homeowner’s Insurance Pay If I’m Bitten?

Most Michigan homeowner’s and renter’s policies include a small coverage tier most homeowners don’t know about — and it can help in unusual dog bite scenarios.

The Short Answer

Sometimes. Most Michigan homeowner’s policies include “Medical Payments” coverage (typically $1,000-$5,000) that pays YOUR medical bills regardless of who is at fault. This can be useful when the dog owner is unknown, uninsured, or contesting liability. It does NOT replace pursuing the dog owner’s policy. Filing on your own policy typically does not raise your rates because Medical Payments is no-fault coverage.

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The Detailed Answer

Most homeowners have no idea their policy might cover them if they’re bitten by a dog — even someone else’s dog. This isn’t the dog owner’s liability coverage. It’s a separate small benefit called Medical Payments coverage that exists in most policies. It’s worth knowing about because it can speed up medical bill payment in difficult cases.

What Medical Payments coverage is

Medical Payments coverage (sometimes called “MedPay”) is a small no-fault benefit included in most Michigan homeowner’s and renter’s policies. It typically:

Provides $1,000 to $5,000 in coverage (some policies higher)
Pays YOUR medical bills regardless of who is at fault
Covers you, household members, and sometimes guests
Applies whether the injury happened at home or elsewhere

The amount is small — but for emergency room copays, urgent care visits, and initial follow-up, it can cover real costs while the main claim against the dog owner is being processed.

When to use it

Dog owner is unknown — you can’t pursue someone you can’t identify; MedPay helps fill the gap
Dog owner is uninsured — primary recovery path is slower; MedPay provides immediate funds
Dog owner is contesting liability — even valid Michigan strict liability cases can take time to settle; MedPay keeps medical bills current
You need emergency expenses paid now — MedPay typically pays within weeks, not months

Will filing affect your rates?

Medical Payments claims are typically considered “no-fault” because they pay regardless of liability. Most Michigan insurers don’t raise rates for a single MedPay claim. Verify with your specific insurer before filing — agents will tell you straight whether your specific policy treats MedPay differently.

Subrogation considerations

If you receive MedPay AND later recover from the dog owner’s policy, your homeowner’s insurer may have subrogation rights — meaning they can be reimbursed for the MedPay they paid. This typically reduces the net amount, but you’ve still benefited from the cash flow during recovery. An attorney coordinates subrogation as part of finalizing the case.

What This Means for Your Case

Your own homeowner’s insurance is not your primary recovery source after a Michigan dog bite — but it can be a useful supplement, especially in difficult scenarios. Check your policy for Medical Payments coverage and ask your agent about claim procedures. The benefit is small but real, and the speed of payment can matter when bills are piling up.

Bitten by a dog in Michigan? Call 1-800-LAWSUIT or request a free case review. No fee unless we win.