The dog did it

Aviva handled 3,825 claims involving dogs between the start of 2018 to the end of 2022 with an average insurance claim of £1,200. The most expensive tended to involve jewellery and watches, with some claims costing more than £10,000 to remedy the loss. 

"Many home insurance policies include an exclusion for damage caused by chewing, scratching, tearing or fouling by domestic animals. Cover may be provided under the optional personal belongings section, but it is important that customers check their policy wording and cover" said the property claims director at Aviva UK, Kelly Whittington. 

Some of the more unusual cases received by the insurer included a dog that fell into a family swimming pool - the animal was unhurt but damaged the pool liner. Similarly a hot tub which was burst by the dog jumping up at it.

One claimant removed their dentures and left them on the arm of their chair before falling asleep - only to find on waking that their dog had eaten them. 

A dog knocked an iron off an ironing board, causing a mark on a floor, another chewed through a pen and stained a sofa and carpet with ink. In another claim, a dog left a trail of footprints across carpets after knocking over a paint pot on a staircase and walking through the contents.