Online calculators typically work from simplified inputs—bite location, treatment length, whether surgery occurred, and whether there are visible injuries. Those details matter, but Robinson claims frequently involve complications that calculators can’t “see,” such as:
- Where the bite occurred (front yard, apartment common area, driveway, or while someone was passing through)
- Whether the owner had notice of prior aggressive behavior
- Whether video or witness statements exist (common in residential areas with neighbors close by)
- How quickly treatment was sought and whether infection risk was addressed
In Texas, insurers often focus on whether the evidence supports causation and the extent of damages—not just that a bite happened. That’s why your first step shouldn’t be accepting a number from a website.


