Farmers Insurance Breed Restrictions: Understanding The Policy

Farmers Insurance offers pet insurance coverage for dogs and cats through Pets Best. The price of a BestBenefit Accident and Illness plan is based on your pet's age, breed, and location. However, Farmers Insurance has been criticised for its breed restrictions. In 2024, the company changed its policy to no longer provide coverage for three breeds: pit bulls, rottweilers, and wolf hybrids. This has been deemed an irresponsible tactic to avoid dog owners of these breeds. While Farmers Insurance does not cancel policies, customers with these breeds are required to sign an exclusion waiver of liability coverage for dog bites. Without this signature, the policy will not be renewed.

Farmers Insurance no longer covers dog bites for certain breeds

Farmers Insurance has changed its policy regarding dog bite liability insurance coverage for certain dog breeds. The company is no longer providing liability coverage for dog bite claims involving three breeds: pit bulls, rottweilers, and wolf hybrids. This change has surprised many dog owners, including Dawn Capp, who owns two pit bulls.

According to Erin Freeman, the chief communications officer for Farmers, the company is not canceling policies. Instead, since mid-January, Farmers agents have been requiring customers with these breeds to sign an exclusion waiver of liability coverage for dog bites. Without this signature, the policy will not be renewed.

Freeman stated that these three breeds accounted for 25% of dog bite claims and cause more harm when they attack than any other breed. However, critics argue that Farmers Insurance should adopt a better policy that considers the individual dog and owner rather than a blanket exclusion based on breed.

It is important to note that breed bans are illegal in California, and Farmers Insurance's policy change is seen as a tactic to discourage dog owners from owning these breeds. While pit bulls and rottweilers are responsible for over half of fatal dog attacks in the country, there are 11 breeds considered the most dangerous.

Dog bite victims may suffer the most from this policy change, as they may face medical bills, surgery costs, and loss of wages without the liability coverage provided by insurance companies. Dog owners with restricted breeds may need to explore alternative insurance companies or obtain separate canine liability insurance to ensure coverage for their pets.

Homeowners insurance dog breed restrictions

Homeowners insurance is a must for financial protection if your home is damaged or someone gets hurt on your property. Many homeowners insurance companies will offer to cover incidents related to your pet under their liability coverage. However, it can be difficult to obtain this type of coverage if your dog is considered a "high-risk" or "dangerous" breed.

Common Restricted Breeds

The most common dog breeds on restricted lists include:

• American pit bull terriers
• American Staffordshire terriers
• Staffordshire bull terriers
• Rottweilers
• Dobermans
• Wolf hybrids
• German Shepherds
• Akitas
• Chow Chows
• Presa Canarios

How to Get Home Insurance with a Restricted Breed

If your dog is on the restricted breed list, you may still be able to get a policy, but this is risky. If your dog bites someone, you will have to pay any medical and legal costs out of pocket.

• Shop around: Each insurance company has its own list of restricted breeds, so you may be able to find a company that will cover your dog.
• Purchase supplemental insurance coverage: You can buy a separate dog bite liability insurance policy to help cover costs if your dog bites someone. These policies are usually only available through specialty insurers.
• Choose a company without breed restrictions: Some companies, such as State Farm, USAA, and Chubb, do not have any breed restrictions. However, they may charge higher rates for certain breeds or require further investigation.
• Get an exception: Some companies may grant exceptions if your dog has a Canine Good Citizen certificate from the American Kennel Club or is trained as a service dog.
• Look for a new insurance company: If you can't get an exception, you may need to switch to a new insurance company that will cover your dog. This may be difficult if your dog has already bitten someone or if you have a breed that is typically considered aggressive, such as a pit bull or Rottweiler.
• Have the dog excluded from coverage: If you want to stay with your current insurer, you can ask to have the dog excluded from coverage. However, you will not have insurance for liability claims if your dog bites or injures someone.
• Get insurance for the dog through other means: If your dog is excluded from home insurance coverage, you may be able to purchase an umbrella liability policy or a standalone "canine liability policy" to cover dog-related injuries.

Farmers Insurance pet insurance coverage

Farmers Insurance offers pet insurance coverage through Pets Best, a long-time pet insurance provider. Farmers Insurance has been offering pet insurance plans for dogs and cats since 2014.

Pet Insurance Plans

Farmers Insurance offers three types of pet insurance plans: Accident & Illness, Accident-Only, and Wellness Routine Care. The Accident-Only plan covers accidents such as broken limbs, snake bites, ingestion of foreign objects, etc. The Accident & Illness plan has three coverage tiers: Essential, Plus, and Best Benefits (Elite). The Essential plan covers up to $5,000 of eligible vet bills, while the Plus plan offers more coverage, including exam fees and alternative therapies, with an annual limit of up to $10,000. The Best Benefits plan is the most comprehensive option, offering unlimited annual coverage for various illnesses, accidents, surgeries, prescription medications, and more.

The Wellness Routine Care plan is available as an add-on and covers regular veterinary services such as annual checkups, preventative medication, vaccinations, etc. There are two wellness plans: Essential Wellness and Best Wellness. The Essential Wellness plan covers routine items, neutering/spaying, heartworm testing, blood work, and has an annual limit of $305. The Best Wellness plan includes the same coverage as the Essential plan, plus teeth cleaning, and has a higher annual limit of $535.

Pricing

The price of Farmers Pet Insurance depends on various factors, including your pet's age, breed, and location. The average monthly premium for cats starts at $18, while for dogs, it starts from $29 per month. The price of the BestBenefit Accident and Illness plan will depend on your pet's age, breed, location, annual deductible, and reimbursement level. The Accident-Only plan is a budget-friendly option with monthly rates of $9 for dogs and $6 for cats. The EssentialWellness plan costs $16 per month, while the BestWellness plan costs $29 per month.

Farmers Pet Insurance offers a 5% discount for customers with multiple pets and for military service pets. Additionally, customers who purchase a Pets Best policy through a referral from a Farmers agent or at Farmers.com/petinsurance are eligible for a 5% discount.

Claims and Reimbursement

To submit a claim, customers need to provide the itemized invoice for the vet visit through the Pets Best website or mobile app. Claims are typically processed within three to five days, and customers can choose to receive reimbursements directly into their bank accounts at no additional fee.

Pros and Cons

A unique feature of Farmers Pet Insurance is the Specialized Coverage plans, which cover specific types of accidents based on the pet's location and exposure to environmental dangers. There are no upper age limits, and puppies and kittens can be enrolled from seven weeks old. Farmers Pet Insurance also offers 24/7 veterinary support for its customers.

However, one downside is that the price of pet insurance will increase as your pet gets older. Some other insurers offer lifetime policies with fixed prices, but Farmers Insurance does not. Additionally, Farmers Insurance has been known to exclude certain dog breeds, such as pit bulls, rottweilers, and wolf hybrids, from liability coverage for dog bites.

Dog breed restrictions for home insurance

Homeowners insurance may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you get a puppy, but the insurance implications of dog ownership can be profound. If your dog injures someone, you could be responsible for costly medical bills. Unfortunately, your home insurance may not help you if your dog is of a certain breed.

Many homeowners insurance companies place restrictions on the personal liability coverage they provide for injuries or damage a dog may cause if it belongs to a so-called dangerous breed.

The most common homeowners insurance dog breed restrictions include:

• Higher rates for customers with dogs whose breeds are considered aggressive.
• Exclusions or reduced coverage for injuries or damage caused by a dog on a company's restricted breed list.

Several major companies, including Allstate, GEICO, Nationwide, and Travelers, have dog breed restrictions in some form, but their terms and conditions tend to vary by state.

A few states, including Connecticut, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, prohibit or limit breed-based home insurance restrictions.

Although breed restrictions vary by company, the 13 most common breeds found on restricted dog breed lists for homeowners insurance include:

• American pit bull terrier
• American Staffordshire terrier
• Staffordshire bull terrier
• Dobermans
• German shepherds
• Akitas
• Chow Chows
• Wolf hybrids
• Mixed breed dogs, like a German shepherd mix

If your insurance company isn't willing to insure your dog, you should start by comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies to find one that will. You can also get a DNA breed test, especially if your dog is a mutt. You can buy a dog DNA test online for $50 to $200, or you can get one from your veterinarian. If you can definitively prove your dog doesn't belong to a restricted breed, you might have an easier time getting coverage.

Insurance companies in states like Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania are not allowed to deny you a home insurance policy or liability coverage based on your dog's breed.

If you're having trouble getting homeowners insurance because of your dog's breed, the good news is that not all insurance companies discriminate based on breed. For example, Farmers Insurance does not have any breed restrictions; however, if your dog has a bite history, they will refuse to write a policy for you. Any dog with no bite history is eligible to be covered under liability insurance.

Farmers Insurance liability coverage

Farmers Insurance offers a range of liability coverage options for individuals and businesses.

Home Insurance

Farmers Insurance provides liability coverage for homeowners, which typically includes injuries and property damage caused by your dog. However, certain dog breeds, such as pit bulls, rottweilers, and wolf hybrids, may be restricted or excluded from coverage. Home insurance rates may increase by around 1% on average for owning a restricted breed.

Car Insurance

Farmers Insurance offers car insurance liability coverage, which is required by law in almost all states. This coverage pays for injuries to others and damage to their property when you are at fault in an accident. The minimum liability insurance required by the state may not be sufficient to cover all damages, and additional expenses may need to be paid out of pocket. Farmers Insurance also offers rental car coverage and coverage for driving someone else's vehicle.

Pet Insurance

Farmers Insurance provides pet insurance through Pets Best, offering plans that reimburse up to 90% of eligible veterinary treatment costs. The price of the plan is based on the pet's age, breed, and location.

Business Insurance

Farmers Insurance offers small business general liability insurance to help manage risks and cover legal defence and damage costs up to the policy limits for covered claims. This includes premises and operations insurance, products and completed operations insurance, cyber liability, employment practices liability, and commercial auto insurance.

Frequently asked questions