Which scenario is typically covered by homeowners liability coverage?

• A. A pedestrian is bitten by the insured's dog while the dog is being petted.
• B. The insured's bicycle accident with a pedestrian.
• C. The insured intentionally damages a neighbor's fence.
• D. A storm damages the insured's own roof.

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is that homeowners liability coverage protects you when you’re legally responsible for injuries to others or damage to their property, including injuries caused by your pets. In this scenario, the pedestrian is injured by the insured’s dog while the dog is being petted. That’s a classic example of a third-party bodily injury caused by a covered risk (a pet), so the liability portion of a homeowners policy would typically step in to cover medical expenses, any legal defense, and damages up to policy limits, subject to any exclusions in the policy.

The other options don’t fit as neatly. Damage to the insured’s own roof would be handled by dwelling coverage, not liability. Intentionally damaging a neighbor’s fence isn’t covered because liability policies exclude intentional acts. A bicycle accident with a pedestrian could raise liability questions, but it’s less representative of homeowners liability as the best-known example involves a pet causing injury.