Liability Insurance: Questions about reimbursement?

Questioner

I have a question about compensation for liability insurance. I have had a few handymen over for a few days. They recently walked into the garden uninvited while the dog was in the garden. The employee knew this and thought oh he will stay there if I lift the ladder to the back. I had no idea that they would walk around the back. Because they had not indicated or asked for this. Our dog then escaped and attacked the dog of the neighbours. I ran towards it like a rocket, and the damage to the other dog was visible. The cheek was open and there were some small wounds. My husband went to the vet with the neighbour and he paid the bill. I reported this to my liability insurance and will be reimbursed for the costs of the damage caused by my dog. Later that evening it unfortunately turned out that my own dog also had a bite wound in his neck, it was a visible hole so we immediately called the vet. He said to disinfect and keep it clean. Unfortunately, on Monday morning the wound turned out to be infected and we also went to the vet with our dog. We then informed our neighbours that our dog had also suffered damage in the fight, and whether they wanted to declare the costs with their own liability insurance. They then contacted their own insurance and they said that they did not want to reimburse the costs. I then asked them to send the rejection in writing to us by email, they still said that they would do this. Now my question is, is it possible that our insurance will reimburse the costs of the damage we caused, but their insurance will not reimburse the damage to our dog? I find this so strange. Do I have to pay these costs myself, or should I then hold the handyman team liable for the costs incurred by the vet?

Lawyer

In principle, you as the owner of the dog are liable for the damage caused to the neighbours if this has been established. In this case, your own damage will not be compensated and you will have to bear this yourself. At first glance, liability of the handymen can be considered, but this will cause a problem due to the non-culpability and the attribution thereof to the handymen. If you wish, you can contact me directly and free of charge for consultation.