In the fiscal year of 2015-16, sixty-five percent of US homeowners have a pet according to the National Pet Owners Survey and nearly 78 million of those pets are dogs.
As a result, insurers have spent approximately $570 million as a result of liability claims due to dog-related injuries – a sum that equaled a third of all homeowner liability dollars paid that year.
With that, insurance companies have become increasing more cautious regarding providing insurance to homeowners who own dogs of a breed that is more likely to cause injuries to people. Below is a list of dog breeds that tend to make insurance companies the most nervous:
- Akita
- Alaskan Malamute
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd
- Pit Bull
- Rottweiler
- Siberian Husky
- Wolf Hybrid
Some insurance companies actually look for all of these breeds, plus “Canary Dogs”, when reviewing applications for insurance. Typically insurance companies do not refuse to provide homeowners coverage, but may elect to charge a higher premium depending on the breed of dog a homeowner owns.
Homeowner options for dog owners…
If you are an existing dog owner or wish to become a dog owner – and are concerned about an increase in your insurance premium or a cancellation of your policy – consult your insurance agent. In most state insurance companies have a right to “discriminate” against what it considers to be a vicious or dangerous breed of dog. Still, don’t stress if you already have a breed of dog that is listed as threat. Many times you can avoid issues with coverage and/or premium increases due to your history as a dog owner. The best method for dog owners is to consult your insurance agent to determine the best available insurance coverage options.
