Jeffrey Wade
Dog ownership can affect your homeowners insurance in several ways. Firstly, certain dog breeds are considered high-risk by insurance companies due to their perceived aggressive nature and higher risk of bites or attacks. As a result, some insurers may exclude these breeds from coverage or charge higher premiums. Additionally, if your dog has a history of biting, insurers may deny coverage or require a liability waiver, leaving you financially responsible for any future incidents. While some states prohibit breed-specific discrimination, it is essential to check with your insurance provider about their policies regarding dog ownership and breed restrictions. Homeowners insurance typically covers dog bite incidents under liability insurance, but it is crucial to understand the extent of your policy's coverage and any potential exclusions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does getting a dog raise your home insurance? | Yes, it can increase your cost for homeowners insurance. |
| Which breeds are excluded from insurance coverage? | Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Alaskan Malamutes, Akitas, Wolf-dog hybrids, and many wolf breeds. |
| What if my dog has a history of biting? | Your dog may be excluded from your policy or you may need to sign a liability waiver. Your insurer may deny you a policy altogether. |
| What if my insurer excludes my dog breed? | Shop around for another insurer that does not restrict your dog's breed. You can also ask your current insurer to exclude your dog from the policy and find pet insurance that specializes in canine liability policies. |
| Do I need to notify my insurance company if I get a dog? | Yes, you should always be truthful about having a dog. Your homeowner's insurance policy may offer protection if you're liable for injuries or damages caused by your dog. |
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What You'll Learn
Dog bites and liability
Dog bites are the most common homeowners insurance claim relating to pets. According to the Insurance Information Institute, more than 17,000 dog bite claims are filed each year, with the average liability claim for dog bites and other dog-related injuries being about $58,500 in 2023. Dog bites can come with high medical bills and court settlement costs.
In most cases, homeowners insurance covers dog bites and can help cut down on the financial impact of your dog’s actions. Your homeowners policy includes personal liability coverage, which pays when someone is injured due to your negligence. Such injuries typically include bites by a dog in your care. The bite doesn’t have to happen at your home, either. While it’s called “homeowners insurance," your home is almost secondary in this case. The real coverage is for your legal liability. Dog bites found to be your fault are usually covered almost anywhere they happen.
However, there are some situations where your insurer won't pay for dog bite injuries. If you set your dog on someone or encourage the dog to bite someone, you won't be covered. If a dog bites someone in a business setting, your homeowners policy won’t cover it, although business insurance might. Additionally, if your dog has a history of biting, insurance companies may deny coverage due to the pet’s known history.
There are three kinds of laws that impose liability on dog owners:
- A dog-bite statute: where the dog owner is automatically liable for any injury or property damage the dog causes without provocation.
- The one-bite rule: where the dog owner is responsible for an injury caused by a dog if the owner knew the dog was likely to cause that type of injury—in this case, the victim must prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
- Negligence laws: where the dog owner is liable if the injury occurred because the dog owner was unreasonably careless (negligent) in controlling the dog.
In 17 states and the District of Columbia, liability is not automatically granted but attacks are classified as misdemeanors or, in extreme cases, as felonies, with fines. There are no laws for dog bites in four states: Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, and North Dakota. At least two states, Pennsylvania and Michigan, have laws that prohibit insurers from canceling or denying coverage to the owners of particular dog breeds in some policies. Some states could exclude coverage after a dog bite, such as Ohio, which also requires owners of dogs that have been classified as vicious to purchase at least $100,000 of liability insurance.
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Dog breed blacklists
Dog-related incidents, especially dog bites, are the most common homeowners insurance claim. Dog bites can lead to high medical bills and court settlement costs, with an average payout for dog bite claims of $58,545 in 2023. This is why home insurance companies ask about dog ownership.
Some insurance companies have breed-specific legislation (BSL) that allows them to discriminate against certain dog breeds, including blacklists, while others assess dogs based on individual behaviour, training, and bite history. The most commonly excluded or blacklisted dog breeds are Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, and many wolf breeds. These breeds are considered high-risk and are statistically more likely to cause costly bites due to their physical strength and strong jaws.
If your dog is on an insurance company's blacklist, you may still have coverage options. Some insurers specialize in pet-friendly policies and may offer coverage without breed restrictions. You can also provide proof of training and behavioural assessments or consider umbrella liability insurance for extra protection. Additionally, several states prohibit or are in the process of prohibiting insurers from discriminating against dog breeds.
It is important to understand your homeowners insurance coverage and speak with your insurer about breed-specific exclusions. You may also want to increase your liability coverage or add optional coverages or endorsements to your policy.
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State legislation
The impact of dog ownership on homeowners insurance varies across the United States due to differing state legislation. While most states allow insurers to ban specific dog breeds, some states have made it illegal. These states focus on owner responsibility and individual dog behaviour. Breed-specific legislation (BSL) allows insurance providers to enact discriminatory policies, including blacklists, against certain dog breeds. According to the BSL Census, 22 states currently have enforced BSL policies, while the remaining 28 states do not, either as a result of state-wide bans or a lack of BSL in the state. For example, Pennsylvania and Michigan have passed laws making it illegal for insurers to deny coverage due to specific dog breeds. Ohio requires people who own a dog deemed vicious to purchase at least $100,000 of liability coverage.
Some insurance companies do not consider breed when determining whether to cover a dog, instead assessing the dog's personal history of aggression. For example, State Farm does not consider breed and looks at the dog's individual history. Other companies, such as AIG, Chubb, Hippo, and Encompass, accept even the most dangerous dog breeds.
If your dog has a history of biting or attacking, it is likely to be deemed high-risk and may not be covered by insurers. Dogs that lack training or socialisation are also considered more unpredictable and therefore higher risk. If your dog has damaged property, insurers are likely to decline coverage or impose restrictions.
If your current insurer excludes your dog from homeowners insurance coverage, you could consider a canine liability policy that offers standalone coverage for high-risk breeds. You may be able to add this as an endorsement to your current policy or purchase it as a separate policy.
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Service dogs and insurance
Owning a dog can increase your homeowners' insurance rates, depending on several factors, including breed, as some insurers see some breeds as riskier. Dog bites are the most common homeowners' insurance claim relating to pets, and certain breeds are more prone to biting than others. These vary by insurer but often include breeds such as the Akita, Rottweiler, and Pit Bull. If your dog bites someone, you may be liable for injuries, and the medical expenses can be costly, with an average payout for dog bite claims of $58,545 in 2023.
Service dogs, however, are an exception. While health insurance plans do not typically cover the cost of acquiring, training, or maintaining a service dog, there are alternative financing options and nonprofit group assistance to help with these costs. Once you have a service animal, you can purchase a pet health insurance policy to protect yourself from unexpected healthcare costs. The Department of Veterans Affairs, for example, offers a veterinary health benefit for qualifying veterans with a service dog. This benefit covers comprehensive veterinary services, including annual visits, preventive care, urgent and emergency treatment, medications, and travel expenses related to obtaining a replacement service dog.
Additionally, your homeowners' or renter's insurance policy may cover your liability for dog bites or damages caused by your service animal, up to the limits of your policy. It is important to note that some states bar insurers from excluding homeowners or raising rates based on breed, so it is worth checking the regulations in your state.
In summary, while owning a dog may increase your homeowners' insurance rates, service dogs are an exception, and there are alternative financing options and insurance policies available to help cover the costs associated with acquiring, training, and maintaining a service animal.
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Dog behaviour and history
Dogs are considered part of the family in more than half of American households. However, they can also add risk to a household, especially when it comes to homeowners insurance.
The behaviour and history of a dog are important factors that insurance companies consider when assessing policies and premiums. Dogs with a history of biting or aggressive behaviour can cause insurance companies to deny coverage, exclude the dog from the policy, or increase premiums. This is because insurers want to minimize risk and lower the chances of having to pay out expensive liability claims. The likelihood of a dog biting and the severity of the bite if it occurs are key considerations. Large dog breeds are more likely to be banned due to the potential severity of bites.
Some insurance companies use breed-specific legislation (BSL) to enact discriminatory policies, including blacklists, against certain dog breeds. The most commonly excluded dog breeds are rottweilers, pit bulls, German shepherds, chow chows, and many wolf breeds. However, some companies do not focus on breed, instead assessing dogs based on individual behaviour, training, and bite history.
Homeowners insurance typically covers dog bites under the liability portion of the policy. This includes legal and medical expenses if a dog bites a guest or damages their belongings while at your home. However, some insurance companies will not cover larger breeds or those with a reputation for being dangerous. The average cost of an insurance claim filed due to a dog bite is nearly $50,000, but some claims for serious injuries can result in much higher settlements.
If your dog is excluded from your homeowner's insurance, you may be able to purchase a separate liability policy or pet liability insurance. This can cover injuries or damage caused by any kind of dog and may be added as an endorsement to your current policy or purchased separately.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, having a dog can increase your homeowners insurance. Dog bites are the most common homeowners insurance claim relating to pets, and medical expenses for dog bite incidents can be costly. If your dog has a history of biting, your insurance company may deny you coverage.
Dog breeds that are commonly blacklisted by insurance companies include Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, Great Danes, Presa Canarios, and Alaskan Malamutes. However, it's important to note that each insurance company has its own list of restricted breeds, and some companies do not discriminate based on breed.
If your dog is excluded from your current policy, you can shop around for a dog-friendly insurance company that does not discriminate based on breed or offers specialized pet coverage. You may also consider purchasing supplemental liability protection or pet liability insurance, which covers injury or damage caused by any kind of dog.
