Yes, as funny as it sounds, it happens. People’s dogs do get out and chase people – usually little kids. The dog runs, some kid turns and runs away and falls or runs into a parked car. The dog then runs away and the kid has a broken arm. OUCH!
Who is responsible? After all, in California, strict liability only applies to dog bites. In other words, your dog bites someone and you are responsible. What about in this situation?
You should report this to your insurance companies. This is generally covered by your coverage E. See my prior post.
However, be aware that your insurance may not cover you. Some insurance companies do not provide coverage for certain breeds of dogs. See another one of my prior posts.
If your insurance company had knowledge of the dog and excluded the dog from coverage, you will become a target. I have seen insurance companies deny claims when the dog owner did not report that they had a dog.
Finally, if the insurance company sends a reservation of rights letter to you, you may need to seek a private attorney. (This will be covered in another post this week!)
Dogs are great fun, but they also impose a lot of responsibility on you.