ABA Family Legal Guide

Home Ownership

Property Insurance and Other Protections

Floor Wax and Dog Attacks: Liability Issues

Am I responsible for damage caused by my children?

As a rule, parents are liable for injury and damage caused by their minor children (eighteen years of age and younger). Usually, such damage caused by children thirteen or under will be covered by your homeowner's policy. In many homeowner's policies, damage and injury are not covered if the children are older than thirteen and intentionally cause the damage or injury. The best way to avoid liability is to teach your children to respect other people and their property.