Haris Ashley
Owning a dog can impact your homeowners insurance, as certain breeds are considered more aggressive and dangerous, leading to higher premiums or outright bans. Pitbulls, in particular, have an undeserved reputation for being aggressive, and many insurance companies charge pitbull owners higher rates or deny them coverage altogether. However, some companies, like Allstate, take a more comprehensive approach, considering each dog's personality and history rather than breed restrictions. Pitbull owners may need to purchase additional coverage, such as umbrella insurance or standalone dog liability policies, to ensure adequate protection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Insurance companies that deny coverage for pit bulls | State Farm, USAA, Nationwide, Allstate, Farm Bureau, Safeco, American Family, and Liberty Mutual |
| Insurance companies that offer coverage for pit bulls | AIG, Chubb, Hippo, and Encompass |
| Average cost of full-coverage policy per year | $1,619 |
| Average cost of minimum coverage policy per year | $358 |
| Reasons for higher insurance rates for pit bulls | Pit bulls have a reputation for posing a greater liability risk than other dog breeds, which can lead to higher rates of dog bite claims and associated costs for insurance companies |
| Alternatives for extra coverage | Umbrella insurance or a stand-alone dog liability policy |
| Impact of non-disclosure of pit bull ownership | Potential liabilities may not be covered, and the insurance company may legally deny claims |
| Factors influencing breed restrictions | Media influence, losses paid out by insurers, personal experiences of underwriters, and reports of biting incidents |
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What You'll Learn
Home insurance companies that welcome pit bull owners
Owning a pit bull can lead to higher home insurance premiums because insurers consider them to pose 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.
Most insurance companies won't deny you a home or renters policy if you have a pit bull, but they won't cover any damage your pit bull causes. For the most part, home and renters insurance companies include an exclusion for claims that involve so-called restricted dog breeds, including pit bull breeds. Nearly every company will deny coverage for dogs who have bitten someone before. That means if your pit bull bites someone or damages their property, you won't be able to make an insurance claim.
However, some insurance companies offer policies without breed bias. Here are some of the home insurance companies that welcome pit bull owners:
- State Farm: State Farm is known for its inclusive policies and does not ask about the breed or type of dog a person owns. The company considers each dog's personal bite history to assess its insurance risk, rather than having a rule that impacts every dog from a specific breed. State Farm offers personal liability coverage, a crucial aspect for pit bull owners, which can protect homeowners if their dog injures someone or causes property damage.
- USAA: USAA's homeowners and renters insurance policies don't enforce any dog breed restrictions. However, their policies are only available to U.S. military members and their families.
- Allstate: Allstate takes a more inclusive approach and does not have breed restrictions. The company determines home insurance eligibility for homeowners with dogs considered “aggressive” on a case-by-case basis. This individualized evaluation allows Allstate to consider each dog’s behaviour, history, and the homeowner’s management of their pet rather than simply categorizing them by breed.
- Auto-Owners: In some states, Auto-Owners does not restrict customers from owning pit bulls. However, in other states, they will limit coverage for incidents caused by pit bulls or deny you a policy.
If you cannot find an insurance company that does not have breed restrictions, you may need to purchase a separate policy. You can consider umbrella insurance or a stand-alone dog liability policy for pit bulls.
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The impact of a dog's breed on home insurance coverage
A dog's breed can have a significant impact on home insurance coverage, with insurers often considering dogs as part of the home. While some insurance companies do not discriminate based on dog breeds, others may deny coverage or charge higher rates for certain breeds perceived as aggressive or dangerous, such as pit bulls. Some companies may even refuse to offer a policy to owners of these breeds. This is because insurers want to minimise risk and reduce the chances of paying out expensive liability claims, particularly for dog bites, which can result in costly hospital bills and lawsuits.
In the United States, 22 states have enforced breed-specific legislation (BSL) policies, which allow insurance providers to discriminate against certain dog breeds. However, some states do not allow BSL when it comes to homeowners or renters insurance.
Homeowners insurance policies typically cover dog bites under liability insurance, but some companies exclude certain breeds or require special liability policies. Some commonly blacklisted dog breeds include pit bulls, rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, and German shepherds. However, restrictions vary by provider, and some insurers, such as Allstate, consider each dog's personality, history, and the owner's control over the pet rather than breed alone.
If your dog has a history of biting, it may be excluded from your policy, or you may need to sign a liability waiver. In some cases, your insurance company may drop you altogether due to your dog. To avoid these issues, it is important to be upfront about your dog's breed and any bite history when seeking insurance.
If you are having trouble finding coverage due to your dog's breed, there are a few options to consider. You can look for insurers that don't have breed restrictions and offer comprehensive liability coverage for dog-related incidents. You can also purchase umbrella insurance, which supplements your existing homeowners insurance by providing a higher liability policy limit. Alternatively, you can explore stand-alone dog liability policies, which offer broad coverage for any pet, including restricted breeds.
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The importance of disclosing your dog's breed to your insurance company
Owning a dog can increase your home insurance premiums due to the heightened liability risk. Insurers are always looking to minimise risk, so certain breeds are more likely to be banned by insurance companies or face higher premiums. These are usually “aggressive” and “dangerous” dogs that are perceived to be more likely to cause costly damage if they bite. This perception is largely based on statistics showing that these breeds are involved in more bite incidents and severe injuries.
Pit bulls, for example, have an undeserved reputation for posing a greater liability risk than other dog breeds. As a result, insurance companies often charge higher rates to pit bull owners, and some companies won't offer a policy to pit bull owners at all. Most insurance companies deny all liability coverage for incidents involving pit bulls, and nearly every company will deny coverage for dogs with a history of biting.
However, some insurance companies, like Allstate, take a different approach. Instead of having blanket restrictions, Allstate considers each dog's personality, history, and the owner's control over the pet rather than simply segregating by breed. State Farm also considers each dog's personal bite history to assess its insurance risk, rather than having a rule that impacts every dog from a specific breed.
While it may be tempting to avoid disclosing your dog's breed to your insurance company, this is not advisable. By being upfront about your dog's breed, you can find a provider that offers the full coverage you and your dog deserve. Honesty is key in finding an insurer that will fairly protect both your home and your dog without bias. If you do not disclose your dog's breed, you may find that your claim is denied, and you are left with the full financial burden of any damage or injuries caused by your dog.
In summary, it is important to disclose your dog's breed to your insurance company to ensure you have the proper coverage in the event of any incidents. While some insurance companies may discriminate against certain breeds, there are also companies that take a more individualised approach to assessing risk. By shopping around and comparing coverage with multiple companies, you can find an insurer that will provide fair and comprehensive protection for both your home and your beloved pet.
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How to get extra coverage for your pit bull
Owning a pit bull can influence your homeowners insurance policy. Some insurance companies deny coverage or adjust premiums based on the type of dog you have, including breeds like pit bulls. This is because dog bite claims can be expensive for insurance companies in the form of hospital bills and lawsuits.
If you'd like extra coverage for your pit bull, you can consider the following options:
Umbrella Insurance
Umbrella insurance is a supplement to your existing homeowners insurance that gives you a higher liability policy limit. It can protect you from damage or injuries caused by your pit bull. For example, if you're found liable for $400,000 worth of injuries, but your homeowners insurance policy has a $300,000 personal liability limit, your umbrella insurance would cover the remaining $100,000.
Stand-alone Dog Liability Policy
Also known as dog owner liability insurance or animal liability insurance, this type of policy offers broad coverage for any pet, including pit bulls. Pit bull liability insurance can typically be purchased through smaller insurance companies.
Canine Liability Policy
Some insurance companies, like State Farm, Allstate, and USAA, offer canine liability policies that do not discriminate based on breed but instead assess individual dogs based on their behavior. These policies provide liability coverage for incidents involving your dog that may not be covered under standard homeowners policies.
Increase Your Liability Coverage
If you find a homeowners policy that covers your pit bull but offers limited liability, you can consider purchasing additional liability insurance. This can help cover costs if your dog injures someone or causes property damage.
It's important to note that you should always be honest with your insurance company about owning a pit bull. While some insurers may discriminate against certain breeds, being upfront ensures you can find a provider that offers the full coverage you and your dog need.
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Home insurance companies that do not have breed restrictions
Home insurance companies typically charge higher rates to pit bull owners due to the breed's reputation for posing a greater liability risk. Pit bulls top the list of banned dog breeds, which also include Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Doberman Pinschers. However, some insurance companies do not enforce breed restrictions and are worth considering if you own a pit bull or any other breed that is commonly restricted.
State Farm is one of the most well-known insurance companies without breed restrictions. Instead of focusing on breed, State Farm considers a dog's bite history and circumstances to assess its insurance risk. Similarly, USAA, an insurance provider for U.S. military members and their families, does not enforce any dog breed restrictions in its policies.
Other insurance companies that have been suggested by pit bull owners include Nationwide, Safeco, American Family, Allstate, and Farm Bureau. While these companies may not have explicit breed restrictions, it is important to carefully review their policies and discuss your specific situation with an agent to ensure your dog is not excluded from coverage.
In addition to seeking insurance from companies without breed restrictions, you can also consider purchasing umbrella insurance or a stand-alone dog liability policy to provide extra coverage for your pit bull or restricted breed.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, insurance companies charge higher rates to pit bull owners because pit bulls are perceived as 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.
Most insurance companies will not deny you a home or renters policy if you have a pit bull. However, they will not cover any damage your pit bull causes. Some companies may deny you coverage altogether if your pit bull has bitten someone in the past.
Yes, some companies that do not discriminate against pit bulls include State Farm, USAA, Allstate, and Farm Bureau.
If your homeowners insurance company denies you coverage because of your pit bull, you can consider purchasing umbrella insurance or a stand-alone dog liability policy. You can also shop around and compare coverage with multiple companies, as some insurers are more open to covering restricted breeds.
