What Breeds of Dogs Will Homeowners Insurance Not Cover?
Dog breeds homeowners insurance won’t cover is the subject of our discussion today. We will show you how to get your dogs insured, even if the breed is restricted.
Dogs are pets that we keep around our homes for several reasons. This might be for security reasons or because you just want a pet dog. You build the kennel and feed it, and sometimes you walk around the neighborhood with them.
There is something you are missing: What if your dog bites someone or destroys the property of another person? Will your homeowner’s insurance cover the dog breed that you own? Wait a minute! You did not think about that when you were buying your dog?
Now you are ready to get insurance for your dog, but what if you own one of the dog breeds that homeowners insurance won’t cover? How do you go about it?
This article will give you the required answer to all the questions in your head right now. We will look at some homeowners insurance dog breed restrictions in various states and how they affect you wholly.
Meanwhile, you can look at the content of this article and skip to the page that is most important to you if you don’t want to get extra information. I would not want to do that if I were in your shoes. So read along and get the right information for your dog’s breed.
Why Do Homeowners Insurance Companies Ask About Dogs?
Insurance premiums are really determined by the risk the insurance company bears. The homeowners insurance policy covers legal and medical expenses if your dog bites a visitor or damages their property or belongings while in your house. This can be found in the personal liability section of the homeowner’s insurance policy. However, some insurance companies have restrictions as to the breeds of dogs for which they can bear liability in the event of a risk.
The liability of the insurance company when your dog bites someone or damages their property could be:
- Payment of the medical expenses of the victim
- A replacement or repair of the damaged property
- Compensation when necessary
- In some far-reaching cases, judgments for pain and suffering arising from a civil suit.
Any of your homeowners insurance companies will surely make inquiries about the breed of dogs you have in order to do a risk-occurrence assessment on them. Undoubtedly, the higher the chances of the dog bite occurring or causing damage to property, the higher the premium or an outright refusal to cover the breed from very aggressive breeds.
There are some dog breeds that homeowners insurance will never cover. Especially if the breed has the tendency to be vicious, like pit bulls, the company may decline because the risk assessment is way too high. Remember, insurance companies do not wish to ever pay any compensation.
Why Are Some Dog Breeds Banned?
The answer to this question is not far-fetched. Even dog-friendly homeowner insurance companies pray that the risk does not occur, so they do not have to be held liable. They avoid aggressive or power breeds because there is a higher risk of the canine inflicting injury on someone or destroying their properties.
Example: A Rottweiler, by nature, is so powerful that it crushes the bone of its victim. More so, the style of attack of the breed is also considered. They generally avoid muscular dogs with vicious teeth because it could pose a serious challenge to get them off their victim.
How Can Banned Dog Breeds Impact Insurance?
Definitely, you will increase your premium highly if you have one of the dog breeds banned by homeowners insurance companies. If any insurer is willing to underwrite policies that cover highly dangerous dog breeds, it will surely make you pay a higher premium because there is a higher possibility that you will claim the victim soonest.
It would be worse if you did not inform your insurer that you have a banned breed. They will surely decline any claim and cancel your policy.
What Dog Breeds Homeowners Insurance Won’t Cover?
The list of dog breeds that have insurance restrictions is relative, depending on the states, locations, and insurers. The best thing for you to do is to always look at the breed restriction list of the insurance company.
More so, check if there are any dog breed restrictions set by state or town bylaws or in your estate or apartment. Insurers consider the number and size of potential claims when making decisions on which breeds to ban.
However, on a general note, the dog breeds that homeowners insurance won’t cover are:
- German Shepherd
- Rottweiler
- Staffordshire Terrier
- Pit Bull
- Doberman Pinscher
- Alaskan Malamute
- Akita
- Siberian Husky
- Presa Canario
- Great Dane
- Some Wolf Mixes
Why Do Homeowners Insurance Ban Some Dog Breeds?
It serves as a caution to owners of aggressive dogs that they will bear personal liability for any claims against the dog breed. This is because these dogs have a high prey drive and are more likely to attack their victims, inflict serious damage on them, and, in the most rare cases, kill the victim if there is no immediate help from anyone.
Read More: How to Buy A House With Bad Credit But Good Income
What Other Dog Breeds Homeowners Insurance Won’t Cover?
It is not only power breeds or aggressive dog breeds that homeowners insurance won’t cover; they may also exclude any dog that has a history of biting or aggressive behavior.
Sometimes, the insurers give you conditional coverage, meaning you should sign a waiver when your dog bites someone. More so, the company will not be liable if your dog bites you.
What Makes Dog Breed Homeowners Insurance Premiums Go Up?
Insurers do not adopt a uniform risk assessment strategy. Most of them categorize the dogs based on their size, the rate of damage they can cause, the possibility of damage occurring, and the possibility of avoiding the occurrence.
A Golden Retriever, for example, is far larger than a Yorkshire Terrier. While the latter animal is more likely to snap at someone, the retriever can do more damage if they bite.
Do You Have to Tell the Insurance Provider About Your Dog?
If you check out an insurance company and they have a list of banned dog breeds, it is important that you tell them about your dog. This is because the principle of insurance is borne on the utmost good faith. This means that you have the responsibility of full disclosure of facts that will affect the insurance premium. The fact that you own a dog breed that is restricted is material, and you should disclose that to the insurance company.
If you have to claim for bites on your home insurance, dog breeds that you didn’t list will invalidate the claim. The insurer is perfectly within their rights to decline claims if you weren’t 100% honest on your application.
What are the top insurance companies that provide home insurance for all dog breeds?
The following companies don’t discriminate by breed at the moment:
- AIG
- Chubb
- Encompass
- Hippo
- Safeco
- State Farm
- Plymouth Rock
Note: The list above is subject to change. So you should check their list before applying to them.
The list also depends on what state you reside in. In Pennsylvania, for example, insurance companies may not discriminate against you because of the type of dog you have. Instead, they must determine risk on a case-by-case basis.
Some companies specialize in coverage for banned breeds. These companies won’t, however, cover a dog that has a history of biting or causing damage.
Say, for example, that you have a Maltese Poodle, and you’ve claimed against insurance because it attacked someone. The insurer may adjust your policy to exclude future claims.
No insurer will cover dogs that are banned by city ordinances or any other laws.
Does Allstate have dog breed restrictions?
Yes. Allstate dog breed restrictions include:
- Stafford-shire Terrier
- Doberman
- Rottweiler
- Chow Chow
- Presa Canario
- Akita
- Wolf Hybrids
- Huskies
- Pit Bulls
Progressive home insurance dog breed restrictions are similar in nature. The same list also applies to Travelers dog breed restrictions.
Does State Farm Have Dog Breed Restrictions?
There are no State Farm Insurance dog breed restrictions. The company states that, under the right circumstances, any dog can bite someone. There are also no USAA dog breed restrictions or Liberty Mutual dog breed restrictions.
It’s important to remember, however, that even if you have homeowners insurance that allows rottweilers and other banned breeds, you could lose your coverage after a claim. The companies that don’t discriminate will usually terminate policies if your pet establishes a history of aggression.
Read More: How Much Can you Save If You Bundle Home and Car Insurance
Can You Get Home Insurance If You Own a Pit Bull?
Sometimes, although this breed is usually on the restricted list,.
How Much Is a Dog Bite Liability Insurance?
Specialist policies are inexpensive and start at around $10 a month. Coverage usually ranges between $10,000 and $300,000. The insurer may adjust the premiums or limit the payouts for restricted dog breeds for insurance.
What Happens If the Insurer Won’t Cover Your Dog?
What’s the solution? If you think that your pet is on the list for insurance dog breed exclusions, shop around. Look for either specialist liability coverage separate from your home insurance or find homeowners insurance without dog breed restrictions. The advantage of stand-alone pet insurance is that it includes wellness care.
- Consider an Umbrella Liability Policy
- Go for a Canine Liability Policy
- Go for pet liability Insurance coverage
- Check other Homeowners Insurance that Accepts your Dog’s
Does a homeowner’s insurance policy cover dog bites?
It will be as long as you are honest in your application. The personal liability portion of the coverage deals with the medical bills and civil claims of the person your dog bit.
Do Renters Insurance Companies Have Breed Restrictions?
Renters insurance companies take the same risk as everyone else. They may place limitations on coverage to manage their risk.
FAQs About What Dog Breeds Homeowners Insurance Won’t Cover
Q: What happens if a dog bites a trespasser?
Answer: You’re responsible for your dog, no matter whether the visitor is lawful or unlawful. If the dog’s behavior is contrary to what a well-behaved animal would do, you may be held liable for damages.
Q: Can homeowners insurance discriminate against dog breeds?
Answer: In many states, yes. The company has a right to protect its interests. However, some states now take the line that insurers should base their decisions on the history of each specific dog.
Q: Do I have to add my dog to my homeowner’s insurance?
Answer: You may need to specify the type of dog you have to receive full coverage. If you don’t, the insurer may decline claims in the future.
Q: What insurance companies do not have breed restrictions?
- Chubb
- AIG
- Encompass
- Safeco
- Hippo
- Plymouth Rock
- State Farm
Q: What dog breeds are considered dangerous by insurance providers?
- Staffordshire Terrier
- Doberman
- Rottweiler
- Chow Chow
- Presa Canario
- Akita
- Wolf hybrids
- Husky
- Pit Bull
