Alyssa Lane
When it comes to homeowners insurance, dog owners may face higher premiums, less favorable coverage terms, or even be denied coverage altogether. Some insurance companies have breed restrictions, and pit bulls are often on the list of restricted breeds. This means that pit bull owners may struggle to find an insurance company that will cover their dog at a reasonable rate, or even at all. However, Amica does not have any restricted dog breeds. Instead, they focus on a dog's history and behavior.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amica's policy on restricted dog breeds | Amica does not have any restricted dog breeds. Instead, they focus on a dog’s history and behavior. |
| Amica's policy on dog bites | In the event of a dog bite, the customer’s homeowners liability coverage and liability protection would come into play. |
| Difficulty of finding homeowners insurance that covers pitbulls | High |
| Effect of owning a pitbull on homeowners insurance | Increase in rates, with the cost of adding a pitbull starting at $25/month |
| Difficulty of finding a policy that will cover pitbulls at a reasonable rate | High |
| Companies that do not increase premiums based on breed | Allstate, Amica, Nationwide, State Farm, and USAA |
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What You'll Learn
Amica Insurance does not have restricted dog breeds
When initiating a new homeowners insurance policy, there are many questions that come to mind, especially if you are a dog owner. Some home insurance companies have a list of restricted dog breeds, which can lead to higher premiums, less favorable coverage terms, or even no coverage at all. This is because dogs that are considered "high-risk" breeds are more likely to lead to high-cost insurance payouts, especially in the case of dog bites.
However, Amica Insurance does not have any restricted dog breeds, according to communications and public relations manager Brendan Dowding in early 2022. Instead, they focus on a dog's history and behavior. During the underwriting process, Amica asks customers who own dogs a number of questions about their dog's prior behavior and temperament. In the event that a dog bites someone, the customer's homeowners liability coverage and liability protection would come into play.
While Amica does not have breed restrictions, it is still important to inform your insurance company if you own a dog, especially one that is considered a "dangerous breed", as failing to do so may result in denied claims. Homeowners insurance can provide coverage for events that make you liable for property or personal damage, but dog bites can be very costly for insurance providers, sometimes costing millions of dollars.
If you are having trouble finding an insurance company that will cover your dog, it may be helpful to look into umbrella insurance or companies that do not increase premiums based on breed, such as Allstate, Nationwide, State Farm, and USAA. Additionally, some companies may insure you but exclude the animal from the policy, or offer coverage if the owner takes the dog to behavior modification classes or restrains the dog with a muzzle, chain, or cage.
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Home insurance companies with breed restrictions
When initiating a new homeowners insurance policy, dog owners may have a lot of questions, such as whether their insurance company restricts their dog's breed from coverage, and whether the company covers dog bite claims. Some home insurance companies have a list of restricted dog breeds. Breeds considered "restricted" are deemed to be a higher risk of leading to high-cost insurance payouts. While the specifics of coverage can vary by state, some companies are known to cover dangerous dog breeds depending on where you live and your claims history.
According to a Forbes Advisor analysis of commonly banned dog breeds, updated in April 2024, Doberman Pinschers, Pit Bulls, and Rottweilers showed up on all surveyed lists of breed restrictions. Other commonly excluded dog breeds include German Shepherds, Chow Chows, and many wolf breeds.
Pit bull owners may have difficulty finding a policy that will cover their dog at a reasonable rate. Some companies refuse to cover pit bulls or may charge a higher insurance rate. However, some companies may make exceptions to breeds they normally restrict. If you live in a state that bans breed discrimination, it will be easier to find insurance with a pit bull.
Some companies that are known to not exclude certain dog breeds from coverage or have shorter lists of excluded dog breeds include AIG, Chubb, Hippo, and Encompass. State Farm is also known to cover pit bulls, following the motto "It's not the breed, it's the bite," recognizing that any breed of dog may bite and breed is not a good indicator to insure by.
Amica does not have any restricted dog breeds, according to communications and public relations manager Brendan Dowding in early 2022. Instead, they focus on a dog's history and behavior.
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Companies that don't increase premiums based on breed
While some home insurance companies have a list of restricted dog breeds, others do not impose breed restrictions. Companies that restrict certain breeds often base this on the losses they have experienced, deeming certain dogs as high-risk and more likely to cause damage or bite someone, which can result in higher liability claims.
Pit bulls, for example, are considered a high-risk breed by some insurers and are, therefore, harder to insure. This can make it difficult for owners to find a policy that will cover their dog at a reasonable rate. Some companies refuse to cover pit bulls, while others charge a higher insurance rate.
However, some companies do not consider breed when determining whether to cover your dog. Instead, they look at the dog's personal history of aggression or temperament. For example, State Farm is "breed-blind" and does not discriminate against "aggressive" dog breeds, like pit bulls. They follow the motto, "It's not the breed, it's the bite," recognizing that any breed of dog may bite and that breed is not a good indicator to insure by. Similarly, Amica does not have any restricted dog breeds. Instead, they focus on a dog's history and behavior during their underwriting process.
If you are a dog owner, it is important to shop around and get quotes from multiple homeowners' insurance companies to find the best policy for your needs. It is also worth noting that breed discrimination laws vary by state, and some states, like New York and Pennsylvania, do not allow insurers to deny coverage based on a dog's breed.
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The impact of not informing your insurance provider about your dog's breed
Amica, a home insurance company, does not have any restricted dog breeds. Instead, they focus on a dog's history and behaviour. However, other insurance companies do have breed restrictions, and some dogs are more likely to be blacklisted than others. For example, Doberman Pinschers, Pitbulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, and many wolf breeds are commonly excluded from coverage.
If you do not inform your insurance provider about your dog's breed, you may face serious consequences. If your dog bites someone and you file a claim, your provider has the right to deny the claim since the dog was not on your policy. You may be responsible for all medical bills and court costs, which could be as much as $60,000. Therefore, it is generally recommended to be upfront about your pets when purchasing an insurance policy.
If your dog is blacklisted, your insurer may not cover your home at all or may exclude coverage if your dog injures a guest or damages their property. You may be able to find an insurer that does not discriminate against certain breeds, or you could consider purchasing pet liability insurance, which covers injuries or damage caused by any kind of dog.
It is important to note that insurance companies base their breed restrictions on various factors, including media portrayal, bite statistics, and local laws. Some companies may also consider a dog's individual behaviour, training, and bite history when determining coverage. While it may be tempting to withhold information about your dog's breed to secure a lower premium, doing so could result in significant financial hardship if your dog is involved in an incident.
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Other options if your insurance provider doesn't cover your dog's breed
Amica does not have any restricted dog breeds, according to their communications and public relations manager, Brendan Dowding. Instead, they focus on a dog's history and behaviour. However, if your insurance provider does not cover your dog's breed, there are several other options you can consider:
- Shop around and compare coverage with multiple companies. Some insurers, such as AIG, Chubb, Hippo, and Encompass, accept even the most dangerous dog breeds.
- Look for a dog-friendly home insurance company. Some insurers will cover dogs of any breed provided they don't have a history of biting.
- Provide proof of training and behavioural assessments.
- Consider umbrella liability insurance for extra protection.
- Look into a canine liability policy that offers stand-alone coverage geared towards these high-risk breeds. Some insurance companies do not blacklist specific breeds but instead assess dogs based on individual behaviour, training, and bite history.
- Consider moving to a state that bans breed discrimination.
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Frequently asked questions
Amica does not have any restricted dog breeds. Instead, they focus on a dog's history and behaviour. However, some sources suggest that Amica does not increase premiums based on breed.
Some insurance companies do not insure homeowners who own certain breeds, such as pitbulls. However, companies like State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, USAA, and Chubb do not increase premiums based on breed.
Insurance companies consider a dog's history, breed, or a combination of factors when insuring pitbulls. Some companies may also consider a dog's temperament, prior behaviour, and whether the dog has bitten someone before.
Homeowners insurance can provide coverage for events that make you liable for property or personal damage. For instance, if your dog injures a guest at your home or damages your neighbour's property, insurance can help cover medical expenses and repair costs.
Start by informing your homeowners insurance company that you have a dog. Shop around and get quotes from multiple insurance companies, as some may be more accommodating than others. Compare rates and consider factors such as breed restrictions, premiums, and coverage limits.
