CAI-NJ Aug. 2019(w)

DOG PARK... from page 14.

and prior bite history is irrelevant. In 2018, according to The Insurance Information Institute and State Farm, New Jersey homeowner insurers paid out over $32 million in dog bite and dog-related injury claims. Whether it’s a dog bite or a rambunctious dog knocking someone over, if it happened on association property, a claim against the association, as well as the dog owner, is possible. The Coverage. A community association may obtain insurance cov- erage for a dog park by amending its current policy or procure a separate premises liability policy to specifically cover damages arising in the dog park. A separate policy will protect the current policy program loss history, future premiums, and long-term insur- ability. In any event, when it comes to dog-related injuries, the association needs adequate general and excess liability coverage to provide defense costs and protection for third party bodily injuries and property damage occurring within the park. Even with the most comprehensive association coverage, the unit owner’s insurance coverage is the associa- tion’s first line of defense. Associations should require proof of insurance from unit owners and renters by requesting copies of declaration pages or proof of insurance form annually. However, these simple one-page documents do not tell the whole story as they don’t reference important policy pro- visions, such as restricted dog breed exclusions, exclusions for dog bites, and reduced limits for dog bites.

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