Yes, there are dog breeds banned by home insurance companies and your pup may be between them!
Dogs are a man’s best friend! You may not think that they have anything to do with your home insurance policy but know that there are dog breeds banned by some insurance companies, and as a result, you will not be able to get a policy with them!
We have all heard about how there are home insurance companies that are going to rack up the price of insurance based on the breed of your dog, but to have them outright banned so that you cannot get that insurance is less heard about.
A lot of prospective dog owners and even current dog owners do not know about this thing and do not even envision it being a problem when they adopt a pup. But know that there are carriers who will ask you if you have pets and then deny you if you have certain dog breeds.
How do these dog breeds get banned? Why are they banned in the first place? Does this happen in all states? Are there other things to keep in mind that could make you unable to get your home insured if you have a pup?
These are just some of the questions that we are going to explore in today’s article! And there is some light at the end of the tunnel if you have one of the dog breeds banned by home insurance companies! Curious? Keep on reading to learn more!
Have you been denied home insurance because of your pup? How did you deal with the situation? Do you think this ban is fair? Let us know your story in the comments!
What does home insurance have to do with your dog?
Generally speaking, home insurance is going to cover the likes of water damage, fires, and natural disasters, and most companies are also going to take into consideration other factors before they give you one. Some other things that they look at include pools, trampolines, and, yes, dogs!
Basically, anything that could be fun is going to make an insurance company agitated!
The reason dogs are seen as a problem is because they can end up becoming an expensive liability to the home insurance policy since there can be claims made against the homeowner. Home insurance is going to end up paying for any dog-related injuries (caused by your dog) and bites. On average, last year, the average dog bite claim was around $44,700!
This means that a lot of companies have gone down the route of having dog breeds banned and generally disqualifying owners with certain breeds so that they can rein in costs when it comes to these claims.
Let’s explore what types of breeds are on this banned list and what some homeowners insurance companies across the U.S. completely ban when it comes to dogs!
Dog breeds banned by most insurance companies
Oftentimes, you can expect most of the dog breeds that would come to mind as “dangerous” to be seen as a liability to home insurance, as they have bigger chances of having a dog bite claim.
Some of the companies are going to refuse to cover your home by default if you have any of them, and some may end up raising your premium if you have any of the dog breeds banned according to their list.
Some of the most common dog breeds banned include:
- Alaskan Malamute;
- Akitas;
- All wolf dog breeds;
- Chow chows;
- Doberman pinschers;
- Great Danes;
- German shepherds;
- Presa canarios;
- Rottweilers;
- Pit bulls;
- Staffordshire terriers and bull terriers;
- Caucasian shepherds;
- Siberian huskies.
Yet, do not be breath-relieving, as other types of breeds and combinations are mentioned, but it all depends on the dog breed banned list that the specific company has.
In general, any combinations or mixed dog breeds with any of the ones mentioned above are also included in the ban, along with guard dogs, even if the insurance company employee deems your dog to be vicious when they see them.
What criteria do these companies use when they do not want to insure your dog?
Some insurance companies are going to restrict dog breeds even if they are not on their ban list. And some may end up raising your premium is you have any of the dog breeds banned or your dog has a history (though it should not be more than 1% on average).
Some of the history that could make home insurance companies deny you access to a policy or restrict your insurance includes the following.
Bite history
If your dog has had bite claims made, even if it is just one, then it is considered that your dog has a history of biting.
This can cause you to be denied access to any policy, or it can happen that your dog will end up being excluded, or you may have to sign the policy alongside a waiver that excludes the company from being liable in case of another bite.
Thus, the company will end up covering any legal or medical bills related to any dog bites on your property. If you have a guard dog, then this may put you on the cut list, regardless of your dog’s breed.
Property damage
If your dog has been the cause of any property damage, including the like of your home, personal property of yours or another person’s, or even structure damage, then the policy may be created so that you do not get any coverage for that.
If your dog ends up chewing through the drywall in your new home or any piece of furniture, then you will not be able to recoup costs.
Personal injury caused by the dog
This one is generally true for a lot of home insurance policies on the market, and they do not have anything to do with the dog breed. Personal liability coverage, if you get it, is going to cover any costs incurred by your dog injuring someone else, but not yourself.
Do not expect to be able to file a claim on your homeowner’s insurance policy because your dog bit you and you needed medical attention.
A good way to make sure that you will never be in a position where your dog causes injury to you or others is to take them to training classes. However, after you have gotten your pup trained, you need to continue to work with them at home so that they are obedient. A great way to do so is to do a treat train with them, especially if they are food-motivated.
To make things simpler, we recommend that you get a treat pouch so that your training exercises go smoothly and easily. This one from Amazon is affordable, water-repellent, and very easy to use!
Are there any states where this does not exist?
The good news is that there is a lot of pressure to make state laws ban insurance companies from discriminating against homeowners based on their dog’s breed. However, not all states have managed to get this taken care of.
Despite this, a lot of dog advocacy groups are pushing so that more and more states end up passing such legislation. The states that have these state bans on insurers denying coverage based on your dog’s breed are Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Connecticut, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and New York.
The light at the end of the tunnel!
The good news does not end here, as there are insurance companies that do not have these types of policies and bans enforced. They may not be your first choice, but if you do some digging, you may be able to find the best one that works for you.
If your previous company denied you, you can try reaching out to the following insurance companies that are known in the pet community to cover “dangerous” dog breeds (depending on the dog’s history and where you live): AIG, Chubb, Hippo, Safeco, State Auto, Encompass, State Farm, and Plymouth Rock.
While there are states that will make sure your dog will be able to be insured, not all states are as dog-friendly as they may appear at face value. Make sure the state you live in or plan to relocate to will not harm your pup. Read here about the states that are not the best homes for your dog!
