Dogs and Homeowners Insurance
Is Fido Causing Your Premium to Increase?
You love your dog and know it would never hurt a fly, however, your homeowners insurance company may not agree with you and increase your rate as a result.
Did you know that your pooch could affect your homeowners insurance rate? You may have the most loveable dog in the world whose attack method of choice is to lick someone to death, however, your insurance company looks at Fido differently. Homeowner insurance companies are not very enthusiastic about insuring certain breeds of dogs and as a result, you may pay more for your policy.
If you're thinking of getting an addition to your family (of the four-legged kind), you might want to check with your homeowner's insurance provider before you make your final decion.
Below are 11 breeds that some insurance companies have been known to disapprove of:
- Akita
- Alaskan Malamute
- Chow Chow
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd
- Pit Bull
- Rottweiler
- Siberian Husky
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Wolf -of any hybrid
Some states have pending legislation to prohibit insurance companies from refusing to insure or discriminate against as a result of owning such breeds. As of May, 2007, the state of New York had 4 bilrls pending to restrict insurance companies from non renewing or canceling policies as result of dog ownership. The American Kennel Club has a page on their site that lists sates with pending legislation along with a brief description of the bills.If you already have a dog and are looking to find a way to lower the rate on your homeowners insurance here are a few tips:
- Contact the insurance department of your state. They will provide you with a listing of all insurance companies licensed to provide homeowners insurance in your state. Once you have the list, you can contact each (or as many as you deem necessary) to find out their stance on dog ownership. If you find the insurance company's stance too harsh on the topic of dogs, you may contact the insurance department to confirm and/or report the insurance company's stance and to make sure it is not in violation of the law.
- If it is not against the law and you find it unfair, contact your state representative. If your state is not one of those with pending legislation, chances are you may need to champion the cause for homeowners and dogs.
- Obedience: If your dog has completed obedience training and is certified, submit that information to your insurance company. It may server to loosen the tight grip of the rate.
For more information on how homeowners insurance companies treat homeowners with dogs, visit these sites:Humane Society
