Auto Insurance Excludes Pittbulls: Understanding The Policy And Breed Risks

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Owning a dog comes with a lot of responsibilities, and one of those is making sure you have the right insurance coverage. However, for pit bull owners, finding insurance coverage can be a challenge. Pit bulls are among the dog breeds that some insurance companies consider high-risk due to their reputation for being dangerous and causing attacks. This perception has led to higher policy rates and, in some cases, outright denial of coverage for pit bull owners. While some states have passed legislation to ban breed discrimination, many insurers still refuse to provide renters or homeowners insurance for pit bull owners, leaving them vulnerable to significant financial risks in the event of an incident involving their dog.

Characteristics Values
Insurance companies that cover pitbulls State Farm, Allstate, USAA, Chubb, Auto-Owners, NJM
Insurance companies that don't cover pitbulls Most insurance companies
Reasons for not covering pitbulls Considered high-risk, dangerous, and aggressive
States that ban breed discrimination Michigan, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois
Alternative insurance options Umbrella policy, Canine liability insurance, Pet liability insurance

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Auto insurance companies may not cover pit bulls due to their reputation for being dangerous

Pit bulls are strong, large dogs capable of causing significant damage and injury. Insurance companies often associate the breed with expensive liability claims, and as a result, some insurers may completely deny coverage if you own a pit bull. The decision to exclude pit bulls from auto insurance coverage is primarily driven by the potential financial risk and the desire to minimise costly claims.

The reputation of pit bulls as aggressive and dangerous is not universally accepted. Dog advocates and experts argue that any dog is capable of biting or displaying aggressive behaviour if threatened, regardless of breed. They criticise the blanket breed bans, arguing that insurance companies should consider each dog's individual history, temperament, and training.

While some insurers maintain strict breed restrictions, others are more flexible and assess pit bulls on a case-by-case basis. These insurers may consider factors such as the dog's previous behaviour, bite history, and training certifications when determining coverage.

It's important to note that legislation in some states, such as Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania, prohibits insurers from denying or cancelling coverage based solely on a dog's breed. These laws aim to prevent breed discrimination and encourage insurers to consider individual dog behaviour rather than generalisations about specific breeds.

If your auto insurance company doesn't cover pit bulls, you may need to explore alternative options, such as canine liability insurance or umbrella policies, to ensure adequate coverage for your pet. These policies can provide stand-alone coverage specifically designed for "bully" breeds that standard insurance companies often exclude.

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Pit bulls are large dogs, capable of causing more damage than smaller breeds

Pit bulls are a breed that insurers often deem too dangerous to cover or will insure only at an increased price. This is because they are large dogs, capable of causing more damage than smaller breeds. Due to their size and strength, a single pit bull attack could lead to especially costly injuries.

In 2021, the average cost of a dog bite claim was $49,025, according to the Insurance Information Institute. In 2020, dog bite liability claims cost $854 million. With pit bulls being a group of terrier dog breeds that include the American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier and Staffordshire bull terrier, it's no surprise that insurers are wary of the potential costs.

Insurers are not always open about the breeds they ban, but pit bulls are among the most commonly excluded. This is due to their size and strength, which can lead to more severe injuries and higher costs. While pit bulls are not the only large dog breed, they are often singled out due to their reputation for aggression and their involvement in a high number of dog bite claims.

Opponents of dog-breed discrimination argue that any dog is capable of biting if threatened, regardless of its breed. However, insurers maintain that pit bulls pose a greater risk due to their size and strength, which can lead to more severe injuries and higher costs.

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Some insurers will cover homes with pit bulls on a case-by-case basis

While some insurers may deny coverage for certain dog breeds, others decide to cover homes with pit bulls on a case-by-case basis. This means they will assess each dog's individual behaviour and history before deciding whether to offer coverage.

State Farm, for example, does not require dog owners to disclose their dog's breed when purchasing a home insurance policy. Instead, they make a decision based on the individual pit bull's previous behaviour. If your dog has a history of good behaviour, State Farm may be more lenient with coverage. Similarly, Allstate's practices involving dog breeds are comparable to State Farm's. Your pit bull can be included under your home insurance liability coverage, but that could change if your dog misbehaves in the future.

USAA is another company that covers pit bulls on a case-by-case basis. They will insure your dog if it has a history of good behaviour. However, USAA insurance is only available to enlisted military members, veterans, and their families.

In some states, Auto-Owners does not restrict customers from owning pit bulls. In other states, however, Auto-Owners will limit coverage for incidents caused by pit bulls or deny a policy altogether.

The practice of prohibiting coverage based solely on a dog's breed is slowly decreasing. States like Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania have passed legislation that prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on breed alone.

If your current home or renters insurer won't cover pit bulls, you can shop around for coverage from these case-by-case insurers. It is important to have insurance for your pit bull, as you could face high out-of-pocket costs if your dog causes any damage or injury.

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Some states have banned insurers from denying coverage based on dog breed alone

While most states allow insurance companies to deny coverage to dog owners as they see fit, some states have banned insurers from discriminating against certain dog breeds. As of 2024, several states, including Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania, ban insurers from denying coverage based on dog breed alone. This means that insurance companies in these states cannot cancel or refuse to renew your coverage based solely on the breed of your dog. However, they may still be permitted to charge higher rates for certain breeds or deny coverage if the dog has a history of biting or causing damage.

The practice of prohibiting coverage based on a dog's breed is slowly decreasing, with more states considering similar legislation. In the meantime, dog owners can consider alternative insurance options, such as umbrella policies or canine liability insurance, to ensure coverage for their pets.

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If your auto insurance doesn't cover your pit bull, you can look into a canine liability policy

Auto insurance typically doesn't cover pit bulls because they are considered a restricted breed. Restricted breeds are those that insurance companies deem to be high-risk due to their reputation for being dangerous and capable of causing more damage in the event of an attack. This means that if your pit bull bites someone or damages their property, you won't be able to make an insurance claim and will have to pay out of pocket for the damage.

When choosing a canine liability policy, it's important to consider the coverage limits and what is included in the policy. Ideally, you should look for a policy that provides at least $100,000 for liability plus $1,000 for no-fault medical payments. Some policies may also include coverage for property damage, personal injuries caused by your dog, and any legal expenses that may arise. It's also important to disclose your dog's breed and bite history when applying for a policy, as this can affect your coverage and premiums.

In addition to a canine liability policy, you may also want to consider an umbrella policy. An umbrella policy is supplemental insurance that extends your claim payout beyond your policy limits. This can be useful if your liability coverage limit is not high enough to cover the cost of a claim. However, when considering an umbrella policy, make sure to confirm that it provides coverage for accidents caused by your dog, as some policies may exclude this.

Frequently asked questions

Insurance companies consider pit bulls a high-risk breed due to their size and strength, which can lead to costly injuries in the event of an attack.

If your insurance company doesn't cover pit bulls, you can shop around for a different insurer that uses a case-by-case assessment or get a canine liability policy from a smaller insurance provider.

You can enrol your pit bull in a dog-training class, get them a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate, and keep their vaccinations and vet visits up to date.

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