Because every insurance company is different and there are dozens of insurance companies that offer homeowners insurance, the answer to this issue isn’t simple. A simple phone call to your insurance agent will reveal whether or not your insurance provider has breed limitations.
Major insurance companies, such as State Farm, Progressive, and Triple A, frequently have no breed limitations, however smaller state-specific insurance companies have a list of dogs that they do not allow homeowners to keep. Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas, Chow Chows, Wolf hybrids, and Presa/Dogo Canarios are generally on this list (this list could include more dogs depending on your insurance company).
Because some lenders choose the company from which you can purchase homeowners insurance, you should ensure that your homeowners insurance will remain active before purchasing or adopting one of these breeds; otherwise, you risk getting into trouble with your lender as well as being without homeowners insurance.
What dog breeds does AAA not cover?
Uncle Matty’s Letter: Because I possess a purebred Siberian Husky, AAA of Southern California refused to offer me homeowner’s insurance. The salesperson went on to say that if the dog was a mix of any kind, I would not be turned down. I’m still stunned, because my previous encounters with this type of dog have been consistent with the personality of most Siberian Huskies: they are known for their docile demeanor. In terms of denial based on breed profiling, I’m interested in pursuing my rights in this area. Any additional information would be greatly appreciated. Anaheim, California resident G.S.
Greetings, G.S. : Insurance companies’ attempts to limit dog-bite claims through breed discrimination are futile, because aggressive dogs exist in every breed. Irresponsible owners and untrained dogs are the problem, as are those who overlook indicators of aggression, poor breeding, and, of course, those who breed, nurture, and train dogs for the sole goal of dog fighting.
If you believe the cost of dog bites isn’t a huge deal, remember that dog bites account for almost 20% of total homeowner’s insurance liability claims in the United States. That was $310 million in 1999. Dog bites are estimated to cost well over a billion dollars per year. Insurance firms who have “do-not-insure-breed lists” have decided that this will reduce their liability at the very least and an increasing number of insurance companies are joining their ranks.
The Automobile Club of Southern California’s Inter-Insurance Exchange expanded the list of breeds it will no longer cover in liability coverage on May 1, 2002. Previously, it included all sorts of “Pit Bulls,” Rottweilers, both pure and mixed breeds, guard dogs (which they define as any dog trained to attack, including “protection” dogs), and Wolf/Hybrids. The Akita, Bernese Mountain Dog, Pressa Canario, Chow, Doberman Pinscher, American, Eskimo, and Greenland Huskies, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Karelian Bear Dog, and Russo-European Laika have all been included to the list. Service dogs are excluded from the law, regardless of breed. I was told that the Siberian Husky was exempt from the prohibition unless the dog had a history of biting.
The Wolf and Wolf Crossbreeds, Rottweiler, Pit Bull (the broad definition), Doberman Pinscher, Akita, and Chow were listed as non-insurable for homeowners and renters by AAA of Northern California, Nevada, and Utah in April 2002. There are around 80 AAA clubs in the United States, each with its own set of policies.
Owners of Dobermans, Rottweilers, any of the Pit Bull breeds, the Chow, or Wolf/Hybrids will not be able to get new coverage with Nationwide Insurance.
Met Life and State Farm Insurance are two insurance providers that do not discriminate based on race, so you should check with them. Met Life does not prohibit any breed of dog from coverage, and it does not charge a premium if you possess a certain breed, as some insurers do. If a local law in the homeowner’s location prohibits or labels a particular breed as aggressive, the provider will not write coverage. Met Life, according to a spokeswoman, does not make the laws; it simply follows them. “Dogs who are obedience trained, adequately cared for, and responsibly supervised are rarely a menace,” says Met Life, which I wholeheartedly agree with.
State Farm Insurance does not exclude any breeds from coverage, nor does it charge a premium for specific breeds. Because of Ohio’s Revised State Code 955.11, which designates the “Pit Bull” as vicious, there is now an exception. Vicious-dog laws would be a concern in any area.
So, what are your options? Make sure your homeowner’s insurance is with a provider that does not discriminate against people of different races. Request a written explanation and a copy of the company’s published breed-discrimination list if you are denied coverage. Protest policies and the decisions made by them. Keep in mind that not every agent is well-informed. Check for existing and pending breed legislation in local and state ordinances. Write and call your elected officials. Tell them you don’t believe in racial discrimination based on a person’s race. Make dog training a priority if you have one. If your dog is displaying signs of hostility, take action. Consult a qualified behaviorist and keep your dog confined to a safe area with ample run and fencing.
We may lose our freedom to own the breed of our choice if we do not act responsibly as dog owners and fight breed discrimination. Aunt Matty
What insurance companies do not have breed restrictions?
State Farm and USAA are among the insurers that do not consider a dog’s breed when assessing eligibility or pricing for homeowners or renters insurance. Instead, they assess your dog’s particular behavior.
When you seek for coverage, insurance firms are already required to investigate your claims history. When your insurance goes into force, the majority of them will inspect your home. Your application may be denied or your premium raised if you have a prior dog bite claim on your insurance record or if your home inspection reveals a safety risk of any kind.
If you file a dog-bite claim after your policy starts, it’s possible that your coverage will not be renewed when the term ends. This is similar to what could happen if there are too many claims or certain other claims.
In most states, dog breed regulations do not apply to farmers. According to BADRAP, a California non-profit that helps sheltered pit bulls find homes, the firm does require dog-bite exclusions for California clients with pit bulls, Rottweilers, or wolf hybrids.
Additional dog-friendly home and renters insurance companies listed by BADRAP include Amica, Auto-Owners, and Chubb.
Customers with any type of pet, including dogs of any breed, can get a special renters insurance package from Toggle, a Farmers insurance brand. Toggle’s Pet Parent plan covers up to $100,000 in pet liability coverage as well as up to $500 for boarding your pet if your house is rendered uninhabitable due to an insured loss, among other advantages.
What dogs Cannot get insurance?
Insurance companies deny the first six dog breeds listed above the most. Some firms may refuse to insure some of the breeds listed above while insuring others. Make sure to inform your agent.
Does dog breed affect insurance?
When you add a dog to your family, you’ll have a long list of activities to perform, including scheduling veterinarian appointments, purchasing supplies, food, and toys, and deciding on a name. Is notifying your insurance agent, on the other hand, on that list? It should be if it isn’t already.
You honestly believe that your dog could never harm a fly in your heart of hearts.
However, if your dog injures someone on your property, your homeowners insurance company will be alerted, and any legal claims and/or medical bills that come from the attack will be covered by your policy. If you haven’t informed your insurance company about your new family member, they may refuse to cover those costs.
There’s a potential that adding your dog to your homeowners insurance will raise your rate.
This is especially true if your dog’s breed is prohibited by the provider “breed list” that specifies which breeds they will or will not cover, as well as which breeds have higher premiums.
Before adding a new dog to your family, check with your insurance agent to see if the breed is covered by your policy “breed list,” as well as the financial implications for your family.
Although some people may choose not to tell their insurance company about their new addition owing to the chance of a higher premium, they are placing themselves at danger of having to pay for legal and medical fees out of pocket if something goes wrong.
Are Huskies considered an aggressive breed?
Huskies are a breed of dog that is fiercely loyal, clever, and affectionate. Huskies, on the whole, aren’t aggressive dogs. Aggressive behaviors, on the other hand, are conceivable in all dogs, and they must be corrected at the first evidence of dominance, territoriality, or tracking prey. Maintain tight control over your dog, correct his behavior whenever it occurs, and don’t be hesitant to seek professional assistance if necessary.
Are German shepherds a restricted breed?
Breed regulations differ from one location to the next. These breeds, on the other hand, are the most frequently seen on restricted breeds lists: German Shepherds that are pit bulls (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, and American Bulldog).
Can insurance companies discriminate against dog breeds?
Insurance firms are increasingly discriminating against people of different races in the United States. Insurers are refusing to provide homeowners’ policies for customers who possess risky breeds, according to the insurance industry. Their selections are completely based on the animal’s breed, not the distinctive traits of each dog. Dog bites are a serious public health issue. The insurance industry’s response to the problem, on the other hand, is based on incorrect assumptions and misapplication of dog bite statistics. Instead of taking a more logical dog-by-dog approach to risk assessment, the insurance industry has labeled entire breeds of dogs as “too risky.”
Does Geico allow pit bulls?
Pit Bulls or Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Akitas, Chows, and Presa Canarios are some of the breeds that are commonly given this designation. If your dog strikes someone, you will be covered under personal liability coverage as long as your dog is approved.
Can you get home insurance if you have a pitbull?
Your homeowners insurance provider, on the other hand, may be more difficult to persuade. Pit bulls are typically a blacklisted breed, with insurers refusing to cover them or merely insuring them at a higher cost. Akitas, German shepherds, Rottweilers, and wolves or wolf hybrids are all often blacklisted breeds.