Insurers in the U.S. paid out $1.57 billion in dog-related injury claims in 2024, according to data compiled by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and State Farm.

The number of dog bite and related injury claims last year totaled 22,658, an increase of nearly 19 percent from 2023 and a 48 percent increase over the past decade, with the total cost of claims reaching $1.57 billion, according to Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications at Triple-I.

The average cost per claim increased from $58,545 in 2023 to $69,272 in 2024. California, Florida and Texas topped the list for most claims.

The report was released in conjunction with National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 13-18).

Dog bites remain a serious public health risk, with more than 4.5 million people bitten each year nationwide.

Nearly half (45.5 percent) of U.S. households include dogs, for a total of nearly 90 million canine companions in the United States.