Jane Dotson
Owning a pit bull can come with a unique set of challenges, including finding the right insurance coverage. Many home insurance companies consider pit bulls a high-risk breed due to their size, strength, and perceived propensity for attacks. This perception often leads to higher insurance rates or even outright denial of coverage for pit bull owners. However, some companies, like State Farm, Allstate, and USAA, take a more lenient approach and offer coverage based on a dog's behaviour history rather than its breed. While it is challenging, pit bull owners can take steps to secure coverage, such as demonstrating their dog's good behaviour through training and certifications. Additionally, specialised agencies and umbrella policies can provide alternatives for insuring these beloved pets.
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What You'll Learn
Some insurance companies refuse to cover pit bull owners
Owning a pit bull can make it difficult to find home insurance coverage. Some insurance companies refuse to cover pit bull owners, while others increase personal liability coverage premiums when a homeowner has a pit bull in the home. This is because pit bulls are considered a high-risk breed by insurance companies due to their size, strength, and history of being involved in dog attacks. 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. Data from DogsBite.org also reports that between 2005 and 2018, pit bulls contributed to 66% of American deaths caused by dogs.
While some insurance companies outright refuse to provide coverage for pit bulls, others may charge a higher premium to provide coverage. Some companies also offer umbrella policies or canine liability insurance, which can provide additional coverage for incidents involving your pit bull. In some states, breed blacklisting for insurance policies has been outlawed, and insurance companies are legally prohibited from canceling or not renewing coverage based on a dog's breed alone. However, they may still be allowed to charge higher rates for certain breeds or deny coverage if the dog bites someone.
If you own a pit bull or are considering adopting one, it is important to be transparent with your insurance company and disclose the breed of your dog. Demonstrating your pit bull's good behavior through training classes, spaying or neutering, and keeping up with vaccinations can also help increase your chances of getting coverage and fair rates.
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Others charge higher premiums
While some insurance companies refuse to provide coverage for homeowners who own pit bulls, others charge higher premiums. The exact price increase is hard to pinpoint because every company has its own approach to selling insurance to dog owners. Many of these restrictions depend on where you live. For example, breed blacklisting for insurance policies has been outlawed in some states and cities, like Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. In these places, insurance companies are legally prohibited from canceling or not renewing your coverage based on your dog's breed alone. However, they may still be allowed to charge higher rates for certain dog breeds. In most other states, insurance companies can deny or limit coverage for pit bulls or bully breed mixes.
Some insurance companies that offer coverage for pit bulls include USAA, State Farm, and Allstate. USAA's policies are only available to U.S. military members and their families, but 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. State Farm does not require you to disclose the breed of dog you have when you are purchasing a home insurance policy. Instead, it makes a decision based on your individual pit bull's previous behavior. Similarly, Allstate's practices involving dog breeds are similar to State Farm, and your pit bull can be included under your home insurance liability coverage. However, that could change if your dog misbehaves in the future.
If you are unable to find a home insurance policy that will cover your pit bull, you can look into an umbrella policy or canine liability insurance. An umbrella policy is supplemental homeowners insurance that you can purchase to extend your claim payout beyond your policy limits. For example, if your liability coverage limit is $100,000, you have a $300,000 umbrella policy, and you have a claim that goes over that limit, your umbrella policy will cover the difference up to $300,000. Canine liability insurance is a standalone policy, so you don't need to have a home insurance policy to buy it. Dog liability insurance offers broad coverage for any pet, including pit bulls, and can typically be purchased through smaller insurance companies.
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Some companies cover pit bulls on a case-by-case basis
While some insurance companies may refuse to provide coverage for homeowners who own pit bulls, others may consider coverage on a case-by-case basis.
Some companies, like State Farm, do not restrict coverage or deny claims based solely on a dog's breed. Instead, they may consider the bite history of the dog, believing that "it's not the breed, it's the bite". Similarly, USAA, which provides insurance for U.S. military members and their families, does not enforce any dog breed restrictions and decides to provide coverage based on a dog's previous bite history.
In some states, Auto-Owners does not restrict customers from owning pit bulls, while in other states, the company will limit coverage for incidents caused by pit bulls or deny a policy. Umbrella policies are also an option, which can provide supplemental coverage to your existing homeowners insurance and give you a higher liability policy limit.
It is important to note that breed blacklisting for insurance policies has been outlawed in some states and cities, such as Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. In these states, insurance companies cannot cancel or refuse to renew coverage based solely on a dog's breed. However, they may still charge higher rates for certain breeds or deny coverage if the dog bites someone.
When considering insurance for a pit bull, it is essential to carefully research the insurer and their specific policies regarding dog breed restrictions.
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You can get canine liability insurance
Owning a dog is a rewarding experience, but it also comes with potential risks and challenges. Even the most well-behaved and trained dogs can cause accidents, and dog-related damage is the leading cause of homeowner's insurance claims. Dog bites alone cost homeowner insurers $797 million in 2019, with the average cost per claim increasing by 14.7% year-over-year.
If you own a dog, particularly one that is considered a "dangerous breed" like a pit bull, you may find it challenging to obtain adequate insurance coverage. Many insurance companies restrict certain breeds from coverage or exclude animal liability coverage altogether. Some insurers may even deny providing any coverage for homeowners with pit bulls or similar breeds. This is because pit bulls have been associated with a higher prevalence of dog attacks and are perceived as riskier by insurance providers.
However, you don't have to despair. You can get canine liability insurance or dog owner liability insurance to protect yourself financially and legally. This type of insurance is designed to cover any pet breed, including those considered "dangerous." It provides coverage for third-party bodily injury and property damage caused by your dog. It can also help protect you if an injured party decides to take legal action.
When shopping for canine liability insurance, consider companies like XInsurance, Prime Insurance, and Einhorn Insurance Agency. These agencies often work with excess and surplus lines companies, which are more willing to accept risks that standard insurance companies avoid. You can also explore options like umbrella policies, which supplement your existing homeowners insurance by providing a higher liability policy limit. Additionally, some dog-friendly companies like State Farm do not restrict coverage or deny claims based on dog breeds.
Remember to carefully research the insurer and their policies before purchasing canine liability insurance. It is essential to understand the specific coverage, exclusions, and limitations of the policy to ensure that you are adequately protected in the event of a claim.
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Breed blacklisting for insurance policies has been outlawed in some states
In the United States, dog breed blacklisting for insurance policies has been outlawed in some states and cities, including Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. In these places, insurance companies are legally prohibited from cancelling, refusing to renew, or denying coverage to dog owners based solely on their dog's breed. Despite this, insurers may still be permitted to charge higher rates for certain dog breeds or deny coverage if the dog has bitten someone.
In most other states, insurance companies are allowed to provide or deny coverage to dog owners as they see fit, and pit bulls are one of the most commonly denied or restricted dog breeds by insurance companies. This is due to their reputation for posing a greater liability risk than other breeds, as dog bite claims can be expensive for insurance companies in the form of hospital bills and lawsuits.
Some insurance companies, such as State Farm, USAA, and Auto-Owners, do not enforce breed restrictions and instead consider a dog's previous bite history when deciding whether to provide coverage. Other companies take a case-by-case approach, while some smaller insurance companies may be more willing to insure homes with pit bulls.
It is important for dog owners to disclose their dog's breed and bite history to their insurance company to ensure they are covered in the event of a claim. Failure to do so could be considered fraud and result in the cancellation of the policy or denial of future claims, even those unrelated to the pet.
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Frequently asked questions
Insurance companies will consider your dog to be a pit bull if its breed is in the pit bull family or if it is a mix that includes any of those breeds. A DNA test can help prove whether your dog is a pit bull or not.
Some insurance companies will not insure homeowners who own pit bulls. Others will charge higher premiums to provide coverage. Some companies decide on a case-by-case basis.
State Farm, Allstate, and USAA are known to be more lenient with pit bull ownership if you can show your dog has a history of good behavior.
Demonstrating your pit bull's good behavior is the best way to increase your chances of getting home insurance coverage and fair rates. You can do this by enrolling your dog in a training class, getting the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate from the American Kennel Club, and spaying or neutering your dog.
