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Consumer Council flags gaps in Hong Kong pet insurance third-party coverage
The council found 19 of 24 pet insurance plans in June offered third-party liability, but many excluded disputes and incidents involving nuisance, noise, fright, or animals with aggression histories.
Hong Kong’s Consumer Council has urged pet owners to review pet insurance terms closely, focusing on third-party liability provisions that cover bodily injury or property damage when an insured animal causes harm.
In a report published Wednesday, the council said that in June, about 19 of 24 pet insurance plans included third-party liability coverage, with coverage offered by seven companies, but it warned that many policies generally exclude claims involving nuisance, noise, fright, and disputes without legal liability.
The council also cautioned that some policies may require incidents to be accidental, and it warned that for pets with a history of aggression, or if owners knowingly fail to take reasonable precautions like using a leash or muzzle, insurers may decline claims or limit compensation depending on policy terms.
The warning came less than a week after a government scheme made it legally possible for more than 900 restaurants in Hong Kong to allow dogs on premises, according to SCMP Economy.