Paul Sanchez
Pit bull owners often face challenges when it comes to insuring their pets due to the breed's perception as aggressive and dangerous. Many insurers consider pit bulls a high-risk group, and they top the list of restricted dog breeds for home insurance policies. This perception leads to higher insurance premiums or outright denial of coverage for pit bull owners. However, some companies, like State Farm, USAA, and NJM, make coverage decisions based on a dog's behaviour and bite history rather than breed restrictions. In certain states, breed-based discrimination in insurance is outlawed, but pit bull owners may still struggle to find affordable and comprehensive insurance plans.
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What You'll Learn
Home insurance companies that insure pit bulls
Although it is challenging to find home insurance for pit bulls, some companies offer coverage for homeowners with this breed of dog. Many insurance companies consider pit bulls a restricted breed and deny coverage for any damage or injuries they cause. They also often deny coverage for dogs with a history of biting.
Some companies that offer coverage for homeowners with pit bulls include State Farm, USAA, and NJM. These companies make coverage decisions based on a dog's individual behaviour rather than its breed. For example, State Farm does not ask about the breed or type of dog a person owns when writing policies. USAA policies are only available to U.S. military members and their families. Auto-Owners also does not restrict customers from owning pit bulls in some states.
In certain states such as Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania, insurers are not allowed to deny or cancel coverage based solely on breed. If your current home insurer won't cover pit bulls, you can look into a canine liability policy, which offers stand-alone coverage for "bully" breeds. Agencies that may be able to help you find insurance for your pit bull include Dog Bite Insurance, Xinsurance, and the Einhorn Insurance Agency.
If you already have home insurance and recently got a pit bull, check your policy for any breed exclusions and whether dog bites are covered. Some policies cover dog bites that occur outside your home. It is considered fraud if you do not tell your insurance company that you have a dog, especially one on the restricted breed list.
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Renters insurance companies that insure pit bulls
While some insurance companies deny coverage to homeowners with pit bulls, others will provide coverage based on the dog's behaviour rather than its breed. Here are some renters insurance companies that insure pit bulls:
State Farm
State Farm is a dog-friendly company that does not restrict coverage or deny claims based on dog breeds. They consider each dog's personal bite history to assess its insurance risk. State Farm is one of the few companies that do not deny coverage for pit bulls, making it a popular choice for owners of this breed.
USAA
USAA is a military-only carrier that offers homeowners and renters insurance policies without any dog breed restrictions. They are considered one of the best insurance companies for pit bull owners. However, their policies are only available to US military members and their families. USAA decides whether to provide coverage based on a dog's previous bite history, and most pit bulls with a clean track record qualify for coverage.
Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners is another company that does not restrict customers from owning pit bulls in some states. However, in other states, they may limit coverage for incidents caused by pit bulls or deny coverage altogether. It is important to call and confirm their policies in your specific state.
NJM
NJM is another insurance company that makes coverage decisions based on a dog's individual behaviour rather than its breed. They do not have specific restrictions for pit bulls and consider each dog's history and behaviour when assessing insurance risk.
Xinsurance, Dog Bite Insurance, and Einhorn Insurance Agency
These agencies specialise in providing insurance for dog breeds that other companies consider high-risk, including pit bulls. They often work with "excess and surplus lines" companies, which are willing to accept risks that standard insurance companies avoid. However, it is important to carefully research these insurers before purchasing a policy, as they may not have the same protections as standard insurance companies.
It is important to note that even if an insurance company covers pit bulls, they may charge higher rates due to the perceived risk associated with the breed. Additionally, most insurance companies will deny coverage for any dog with a history of biting or aggression, regardless of breed.
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States where breed blacklisting is outlawed
In most states, insurance companies can deny or limit coverage for pit bulls or bully breed mixes. However, some states and cities have outlawed breed blacklisting for insurance policies. These include Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. In these states, insurers are not allowed to deny or cancel liability coverage based solely on breed.
In addition to these four states, there are several others that have prohibited dog breed-specific legislation (BSL). These include:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
While breed blacklisting may be outlawed in these states, it is important to note that insurance companies may still consider a dog's individual behaviour and bite history when assessing insurance risk. For example, USAA, which offers coverage in some of the above states, considers a dog's previous bite history when determining coverage. Similarly, State Farm, which operates in all states, makes coverage decisions based on a dog's individual behaviour rather than its breed.
Overall, while breed blacklisting may be outlawed in certain states, pit bull owners may still face challenges in obtaining insurance and may need to explore alternative options, such as canine liability policies or umbrella policies, to ensure their pets are covered.
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Companies that decide coverage based on behaviour
While some insurance companies deny coverage based on dog breeds, others decide coverage based on a dog's behaviour.
In certain states such as Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania, insurers are legally prohibited from denying or cancelling liability coverage based solely on breed. In these states, insurance companies decide whether to offer coverage based on a dog's previous bite history, meaning that most pit bulls with a clean track record qualify for coverage.
Some of the insurance companies that make coverage decisions based on a dog's individual behaviour include State Farm, USAA, and NJM. State Farm, for example, does not restrict coverage or deny claims based on a dog's breed. Similarly, USAA, which is only available to U.S. military members and their families, does not enforce any dog breed restrictions and decides whether to provide coverage based on a dog's bite history.
If your current home or renters' insurance company won't allow pit bulls, you can look for coverage elsewhere. You can ask your agent or fellow pit bull owners for help in finding accommodating insurance companies. Alternatively, you can look into a canine liability policy, which offers stand-alone coverage for "bully" breeds that other companies won't insure. Agencies such as Dog Bite Insurance, Xinsurance, and the Einhorn Insurance Agency may be able to help you find insurance for your pit bull. However, these agencies often work with "excess and surplus lines" companies, which means that if the insurance company goes out of business, your state may not pay your claims on its behalf. Therefore, it is important to carefully research the insurer offering your policy before purchasing it.
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Alternatives to standard insurance
While some insurers refuse to provide renters or homeowners insurance for owners of pit bulls and other restricted breeds, there are alternatives to standard insurance.
Canine liability policy
This type of insurance offers standalone coverage for "bully" breeds, including bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, and Staffordshire bull terriers. Agencies such as Dog Bite Insurance, Xinsurance, and the Einhorn Insurance Agency may be able to help you find insurance for your pit bull.
Umbrella policy
You can purchase this policy to combine multiple forms of coverage for your home, car, and dog.
Pet insurance
Pet insurance provides coverage to help with costs related to unexpected injuries and illnesses. While most pet insurance companies cover cats and dogs, you may be able to find specialized plans for exotic pets. Some companies that offer pet insurance include Lemonade, Wagmo, Figo, Trupanion, and Progressive (through their partners Pets Best and Companion Protect).
Breed-friendly insurance companies
Some insurance companies, such as State Farm, USAA, and NJM, make coverage decisions based on a dog's individual behavior rather than its breed.
Alternative forms of coverage
If your current home insurance provider refuses to include your pit bull in your policy, you may be able to keep your coverage and obtain alternative insurance for your dog.
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Frequently asked questions
Pit bulls are considered a high-risk breed by insurance companies due to their physical strength and bite impact force. Many insurers label them as "vicious" and restrict coverage for pit bull owners. However, some companies, like State Farm, USAA, NJM, and Chubb, may cover pit bulls based on individual behaviour rather than breed restrictions.
If your pit bull is not insurable under your current home insurance provider, you can explore alternative coverage options. These include purchasing an umbrella policy that combines coverage for your home, car, and dog, or obtaining a canine liability policy, which offers standalone coverage for high-risk breeds.
To improve the chances of your pit bull being covered, consider neutering or spaying your dog, as this can lead to better behaviour and lower insurance risk. You can also provide proof of training and behavioural assessments to demonstrate that your dog is well-behaved and less likely to cause incidents.
To find insurance companies that cover pit bulls, you can ask an independent agent or fellow pit bull owners for recommendations. You can also research and compare insurance providers, considering their policies, breed restrictions, and locations. Some companies, like State Farm, USAA, NJM, and Chubb, are known for their dog-friendly policies.
