Alyssa Lane
In Connecticut, insurance companies are prohibited from setting policy rates or canceling, not renewing, or refusing to issue a policy based on an insured dog's breed. However, they can take action based on a three-year claims history or a risk evaluation of the dog. Pitbulls are considered a dangerous breed by some insurance companies, and their history of attacks and bites contributes to this classification. As a result, insurance companies often charge higher rates or deny coverage to pitbull owners. Pitbull owners may face challenges in obtaining homeowners insurance and may need to explore alternative options like umbrella insurance or canine liability insurance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Connecticut |
| Legislation | Connecticut is considering legislation that prohibits insurers from setting policy rates or cancelling, not renewing, or refusing to issue a policy based on a dog's breed. |
| Exceptions | The proposed legislation permits insurers to take action based on a three-year claims history or a risk evaluation of the particular dog. |
| Dog breed restrictions | Many insurance companies deny coverage or charge higher rates for pit bulls due to their reputation as a dangerous breed and the potential for expensive dog bite claims. |
| Alternative insurance options | Umbrella insurance, canine liability insurance, or a stand-alone dog liability policy are options for pit bull owners who struggle to obtain standard home insurance. |
| Insurance application | Home insurance applications typically ask about pets, and failing to disclose a "dangerous breed" like a pit bull may result in denied claims. |
| Insurance rates | Insurance rates for large dog breeds are, on average, only about 1% higher. |
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What You'll Learn
- Connecticut is considering legislation to prohibit insurers from setting policy rates based on dog breed
- Some insurers increase personal liability coverage premiums for homeowners with a pit bull
- Some insurance companies will not insure homeowners with certain breeds, including pit bulls
- Companies that insure pit bulls may charge higher rates due to the breed's reputation for posing a greater liability risk
- If your pit bull has a clean history, you may be eligible for coverage through some companies
Connecticut is considering legislation to prohibit insurers from setting policy rates based on dog breed
The bill is sponsored by Republican Rep. Tammy Nuccio and was introduced in the Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate. It would prohibit insurers from using breed as a factor in setting premiums, canceling policies, or refusing to issue or renew coverage. The legislation also includes protections for dogs being trained as service animals. An exception is made for cases where a specific dog has been deemed dangerous, and insurers may charge a "reasonably higher" premium.
Currently, no other state prohibits insurers from considering a homeowner's dog's breed when underwriting a homeowners or rental insurance policy. Pennsylvania law, for example, requires owners of dangerous dogs to have liability insurance of at least $50,000 but does not prevent an insurer from setting premium rates to reflect the risk presented by the dog.
In Connecticut, it is unlikely that homeowners insurance will drop a customer because of a dog. However, if a dog falls under the provider's "breed list," the customer may be required to pay a higher insurance premium. Pit bulls, in particular, are often subject to higher insurance rates due to their reputation for posing a greater liability risk than other breeds. As a result, some insurance companies may restrict coverage or deny claims for certain breeds.
Supporters of the bill argue that dog breed is not a reliable indicator of behavior and that breed-specific laws do not increase public safety. They believe that insurers should use objective facts to determine whether an individual dog poses a risk, creating a fair balance between allowing insurers to make decisions while preventing unfair discrimination.
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Some insurers increase personal liability coverage premiums for homeowners with a pit bull
Owning a pit bull can make it more challenging to obtain homeowners insurance. While some insurance companies do not discriminate based on breed, others do. Some insurance providers may cover pit bulls but might charge higher premiums, require additional liability coverage, or exclude any incidents involving your dog. This is due to the perceived risk associated with the breed. Pit bulls are considered large dogs and are often deemed dangerous by insurers.
According to a 2019 study of dog bites published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, injuries from pit bulls were more frequent and severe. A CDC review of dog attacks resulting in human deaths in the US between 1979 and 1994 found that pit bulls were responsible for most attacks. DogsBite.org reports that between 2005 and 2018, pit bulls contributed to 66% of dog-related deaths. As a result, home insurance providers generally view pit bulls as riskier, leading to higher premiums.
However, some insurers consider each dog's bite history and behaviour rather than breed when assessing insurance risk. For example, USAA's homeowners and renters insurance policies do not enforce any dog breed restrictions. Instead, they decide whether to provide coverage based on a dog's previous bite history, allowing most pit bulls with a clean record to qualify for coverage. Similarly, State Farm does not restrict coverage or deny claims based on a dog's breed.
If you own a pit bull, you may need to shop around for insurance providers that do not discriminate based on breed. You can also consider an umbrella policy or a standalone dog liability policy, which can provide extra protection beyond standard home insurance. These policies can help manage overall costs by covering liabilities that your primary insurance may exclude, such as damage or injuries caused by your pit bull.
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Some insurance companies will not insure homeowners with certain breeds, including pit bulls
Owning a pit bull can make it more challenging to find affordable home insurance. While some insurance companies will not insure homeowners with certain breeds, including pit bulls, others will insure pit bull owners but charge them higher rates. This is because insurers consider dogs as a liability risk, and pit bulls have a reputation for being more dangerous than other breeds. According to a report from the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm, insurers paid out $675 million in dog-related liability claims in 2018. Dog bites and injuries accounted for a third of all homeowners insurance liability claims in a recent year, costing over $600 million.
In most states, insurance companies can deny or limit coverage for pit bulls or bully breed mixes. Most companies deny all liability coverage for incidents involving pit bulls, and some won't offer a policy at all if the homeowner has a pit bull. However, some companies, like State Farm, do not restrict coverage or deny claims based on a dog's breed. USAA, which offers policies for U.S. military members and their families, also does not enforce any dog breed restrictions and considers a dog's previous bite history when determining coverage.
If you own a pit bull, it's essential to talk with your homeowners insurance company or agent to see what coverage they will offer in the event of a dog bite incident. Some insurers increase personal liability coverage premiums when a homeowner has a pit bull, and nearly every company will deny coverage for dogs with a history of biting. If your insurance provider does not cover pit bulls, you may want to consider umbrella insurance or canine liability insurance, which offers stand-alone coverage for "bully" breeds.
In Connecticut, legislation is being considered to prohibit insurers from setting policy rates or canceling, not renewing, or refusing to issue a policy based on a homeowner's dog breed. Instead, insurers would be permitted to take action based on a dog's three-year claims history or a risk evaluation. At least eight other states are considering similar legislation.
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Companies that insure pit bulls may charge higher rates due to the breed's reputation for posing a greater liability risk
While Connecticut does not ban pit bulls or single out any particular breed, insurance companies in the state may charge higher rates for homes with a pit bull. This is because pit bulls have a reputation for posing a greater liability risk than other dog breeds. Dog bite claims can be expensive for insurance companies in the form of hospital bills and lawsuits. In a recent year, dog bites and dog-related injuries accounted for a third of all homeowners insurance liability claims, costing over $600 million in paid claims.
Some insurance companies will not insure homeowners who own certain breeds, such as pit bulls, due to their claims experience with that breed. Other companies consider homeowners insurance for dog owners on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the dog's previous bite history and whether it has been classified as a "dangerous dog". In some cases, having a pit bull may prevent you from getting homeowners insurance approval at all.
If your chosen homeowners insurance provider will not provide coverage for your pit bull, you may have other options. One is umbrella insurance, which is personal liability insurance that covers claims that exceed regular homeowners insurance coverage. Another option is canine liability insurance, which covers accidents caused by dogs. Some insurers will look at the history of the dog when determining premiums, while others will make a determination based on breed alone.
While it is risky to go uninsured if you have a dog, there are a few dog-friendly companies that do not restrict coverage or deny claims based on your dog's breed. For example, State Farm does not have breed restrictions and will cover pit bulls that have not bitten someone in the past. USAA's homeowners and renters insurance policies also do not enforce any dog breed restrictions and decide whether to provide coverage based on a dog's previous bite history.
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If your pit bull has a clean history, you may be eligible for coverage through some companies
While some insurance companies may deny coverage or charge higher rates for homeowners with pit bulls, there are a few companies that do not restrict coverage or deny claims based on dog breed. For example, State Farm does not have breed restrictions and will provide coverage unless your pit bull has bitten someone in the past. Similarly, USAA's homeowners and renters insurance policies do not enforce any dog breed restrictions, and the company decides whether to provide coverage based on a dog's previous bite history, meaning that most pit bulls with a clean track record qualify for coverage.
In some states, Auto-Owners does not restrict customers from owning pit bulls, while in other states, the company will limit coverage or deny policies for incidents caused by pit bulls. If your homeowners insurance provider will not provide coverage for your pit bull, you may have other options such as umbrella insurance or canine liability insurance.
Connecticut is considering legislation that prohibits insurers from setting policy rates or cancelling, not renewing, or refusing to issue a policy based on a dog's breed. Instead, the legislation would allow insurers to make decisions based on a three-year claims history or a risk evaluation of the particular dog.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you should expect slightly higher home insurance rates if you have a pit bull. The rate increase is highly dependent on the insurance company and your pit bull's past history.
Insurance companies charge higher rates to pit bull owners because pit bulls have a reputation for posing a greater liability risk than other dog breeds. Dog bite claims can be expensive for insurance companies in the form of hospital bills and lawsuits.
Yes, you can get home or renters insurance if you have a pit bull. However, some insurance companies will not insure homeowners who own certain breeds, such as pit bulls.
Some insurance companies that provide house insurance for pit bull owners in CT include State Farm, USAA, Auto-Owners, Liberty Mutual, Umbrella Insurance, and Canine Liability Insurance.
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