Whether you’re a property owner worried about potential liability or you’re a guest who was injured while visiting someone else’s home, dealing with accidents can be overwhelming and stressful. In these challenging moments, the last thing you want to have to think about is the confusing maze of insurance coverage. Fortunately, many homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies can help protect you from the unexpected, offering support when needed. Unfortunately, many won’t do so easily without a lawyer on your side to ensure they pay what you are entitled to.
Read on to explore common scenarios for personal injury claims where a homeowners/renters insurance policy may come into play, and learn how an experienced New Orleans premises liability lawyer can help you with the claims process if an injury or damages occur.
Common Injuries and Accidents Covered by Homeowners/Renters Insurance
Homeowners and renters insurance often addresses accidents tied to premises liability, a legal doctrine that states property owners are responsible for injuries on their property. Your personal liability coverage through your homeowners/renters insurance typically steps in during situations like the following:
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents: When a visitor slips and falls on your property due to hazardous conditions, like a wet floor or uneven surface, they may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and lost wages. Your personal liability coverage will cover these costs, protecting you from needing to cover them out-of-pocket.
- Dog Bites and Animal-Related Injuries: Many homeowners/renters insurance policies cover injuries caused by pets, like dog bites. Liability coverage usually handles medical and legal expenses if your dog attacks someone.
- Property Maintenance Issues: Failure to maintain a property, resulting in hazards like broken stairs or loose floorboards, can lead to accidents. If a guest trips and falls due to poor maintenance, your insurance should cover medical expenses and pain and suffering for the victim.
- Accidents Involving Tenants or Guests: Renters insurance should cover injury-related costs for guests hurt in a rental unit due to hazardous conditions that the unit owner has no control over. For example, a guest may slip and fall on an unsecured rug, or a light fixture installed by the renter may fall and strike one of their guests.
Personal Liability Coverage vs. Property Damage Coverage
Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically include two primary types of coverage: personal liability coverage and property damage coverage. Each covers the following:
| Type of Coverage | What it Covers | Example |
| Personal Liability Coverage | Protects you if someone is injured on your property and you are legally responsible. It covers medical expenses, legal fees, and settlements or judgments, typically for between $100,000 and $300,000 (check against your policy document to learn the exact amount). | If a visitor slips and falls on a wet floor, medical costs and legal fees will be covered if they sue. |
| Property Damage Coverage | Protects against damage to your personal belongings or the structure of your home. The policy amount is typically around 50% to 70% of your home’s value (check against your policy document to learn the exact amount). This insurance does not cover injuries. | If a tree falls on your home during a storm, this coverage covers repair costs but not any injuries to guests as a result of the tree falling. |
Are There Exceptions to Homeowners/Renters’ Insurance Policies?
While homeowners and renters insurance policies cover many injuries and accidents, there are exclusions. Be aware of the following and always check your policy to ensure proper coverage for your home:
- Injuries to the Policyholder or Household Members: Personal liability coverage does not extend to injuries sustained by you or anyone in your household. For instance, if your child falls and injures themselves at home, their medical expenses would not be covered under your liability insurance, even if a guest’s child might be in the same situation.
- High-Risk Features: Items like trampolines, swimming pools, or treehouses may require additional coverage or have specific exclusions. For example, a guest injured while using your trampoline might be ineligible under your policy unless you’ve added a specific rider to cover it.
- Certain Dog Breeds: Some insurance policies exclude specific breeds of dogs, like Pit Bulls or Rottweilers, from liability coverage. Check your policy language to see if any dog breeds are specifically excluded. If your dog is a restricted breed, you could be personally responsible for covering medical expenses for the victim if a guest is injured by your dog.
- Intentional Damage: Any damage caused intentionally by the policyholder is not covered. For example, insurance would not pay for damage to doors or windows due to irresponsible behavior such as slamming or throwing things.
Consult With New Orleans Premises Liability Lawyers
If you have suffered injuries on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions, you may have the right to compensation for medical bills and other damages through their homeowners/renters insurance policy’s liability coverage. Even when the property owner may not have intended harm, you shouldn’t have to carry the financial burden of your recovery yourself.
At Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers, we know how serious the damages resulting from a premises liability accident can be, whether it’s nerve damage from an unsecured dog or painful broken bones from a slip and fall. Our New Orleans premises liability lawyers can help you understand your options for seeking a fair settlement for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your claim and get the support you need.
Disclaimer: Chad Lederman, Director of Legal Operations at our New Orleans office, has reviewed this content.
