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When starting a new homeowners insurance policy, the outcome is always a gamble. Will my premium be too high? Should I worry about coverage? Do I need to purchase additional insurance?
All of these questions come to mind when researching insurance companies. If you’re a dog owner, you’ll also have one: Will my insurance company limit my dog’s breed? Even if they don’t, will they cover a dog bite claim if my dog bites a neighbor?
While these issues may be new to you, they are certainly not new to insurance providers. In 2020, insurers paid out about $854 million in liability claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries, according to the data. 2021 Analysis Provided by the Insurance Information Institute. Unfortunately for insurers, these costs continue to rise.
While the total number of dog bite claims nationwide in 2020 was down from the previous year, the average cost per claim rose by 12.3%. The trend is even worse over time. From 2003 to 2020, claims costs have skyrocketed, with the average cost per claim increasing by 162%, from about $19,000 to more than $50,000. The claims include dog bites and other dog-related injuries, such as “dog falls,” in which people are injured in falls when an overly eager dog jumps on them.
Getting nervous, dog owner? Don’t worry – your company is fine. About 69 million American households own a dog. American Pet Products Association 2021 Survey.
Or maybe you should worry. Did you know that most states (29 states) hold dog owners responsible for any harm caused by their pets?
Is your dog on the restricted breed list?
Some home insurance companies have a list Restricted dog breeds. Breeds considered “restricted” raise red flags as they are considered to be at higher risk of high-cost insurance payouts. (with trampoline, dogs are one of the biggest headaches for companies that offer homeowners insurance. )
Depending on what each company does, owning certain varieties can mean higher premiums, less favorable insurance terms, or even worse, no insurance at all.
“(Companies) that do have some sort of restriction on variety are usually based on the losses they’ve experienced,” said Janet Ruiz, Director of Strategic Communications, Insurance Information Institute. “They’ve determined, ‘Well, we’re losing more on this breed than that one.'”
One Forbes Consultant Analysis Commonly banned dog breeds show Doberman Pinschers, Bulldogs and Rottweilers appearing on all the breed restriction lists investigated. Chow chow and wolfdog or wolf hybrids also appear on over 90% of the lists.
Ruiz said some insurers have no hard-and-fast rules, and if a customer owns a particular dog breed, they will immediately ban them from insurance. Certain dog breeds can cause more problems.
“Maybe a company likes to look at the varieties, but then asks, ‘What kind of training did you have? Did your previous insurance company have any losses?'” Ruiz said. “It’s a process. It might be a consideration, but it probably doesn’t mean they won’t insure you because of it.”
Many home insurers still want to cover potential customers, even if they have varieties deemed risky. They just wanted to determine the right amount to charge, Ruiz said. To this end, insurance companies often take into account the dog’s bite history.
Animal advocates, such as the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, stress training – not the breed of the dog – plays an important role in a dog’s behavior. “There’s a lot to be said for dogs in training,” Ruiz said. “It’s the more important focus – showing people if they are responsible pet owners.”
How do different homeowners insurance companies handle dogs?
If you own a dog that may be on the restricted breed list, it’s understandable that you’re wondering what to do next.Maybe you are already buying Insurance to pay for veterinary expenses And you don’t need any extra. We spoke with homeowners insurance companies to get some answers about which insurance companies even consider dog breeds and what questions arise when you apply for coverage.
state farm
State Farm doesn’t ask homeowners what breed of dog they own, according to public affairs expert Michal Brower.
Over the past 10 years, the company has paid out more than $1.1 billion in dog-related injury claims. Often, these come down to training rather than breed-specific characteristics.
“Every dog has a unique personality,” Brower said. “While a dog’s breed may determine what a dog looks like, a dog’s response to a person or situation is not guaranteed by breed or type.”
Brower recommends dog owners ask their insurance company or agent what their homeowners policy covers. Dog bites or injuries may be covered under the liability section but may be covered. A serious bite or injury can mean that if the policy limit is exceeded, the consumer has to pay out of pocket.
NASA
“USAA does not consider dog breeds in our homeowner policy coverage,” said company spokeswoman Rebekah Nelson. But the company does focus on a history of biting. “When the insured owns an animal that has been bitten or attacked before, the insurance request may be denied,” Nielsen said.
USAA membership is Open to Veterans and their eligible family members.
Farmers Insurance
External communications manager Carly Kraft said guidelines and restrictions vary by state.
“If a dog bites or injures someone outside of your household, the liability portion of a Farmers homeowners and renters insurance policy will often help cover medical expenses resulting from the injury, up to the policy’s liability limit,” Kraft said. Say. “Insurers may consider excluding dog bite coverage if the dog has bitten before, regardless of the breed.”
friend
According to communications and public relations manager Brendan Dowding, the Amica does not have any restricted breeds. Instead, they focus on the dog’s history and behavior.
“During our underwriting process, we do ask dog-owning customers a few questions about their dog, including details about prior behavior and temperament,” Dowding said.
If the dog bites, then the client’s homeowners liability insurance and liability protection comes into play.
“If a customer is liable for their dog bite, generally, their homeowner’s policy will provide coverage under the liability portion of the homeowner/apartment/rental policy,” Dowding said. “However, every incident is different and may be excluded.”
Liberty Mutual and Nationwide
The two insurers are described by animal protection group MSPCA as “can cover other blacklisted dog breeds”.
The MSPCA continued: “Most of these companies work on a case-by-case basis, and considering each dog’s behavior and history, dog meet-and-greet and/or Canine Good Citizen certification or certain housing requirements may be required.” Representatives for Liberty Mutual did not respond to inquiries, and representatives for Nationwide declined interview requests.
travel insurance
traveler Homeowners Insurance Coverage Guide State that some dog breeds – and any animal that is “vicious or has been bitten or injured” – are restricted from coverage.These Varieties include Bulldogs, Akitas, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Mastiffs and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
Allstate
Allstate works with dog owners on a case-by-case basis, choosing to assess the dog’s behavioral history rather than breed, under insurance. An Allstate spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
Progress
A media spokesperson for Progressive did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Progressive’s website doesn’t say whether they ban certain dog breeds, but states some insurance providers Restrict breeds such as German Shepherds, mixed breeds, and American Bulldogs.
The website states: “Homeowners insurance does not cover property damage caused by pets or injury to occupants in your home, but generally covers claims made by other parties as a result of your pet’s actions – whether or not the incident occurred in your home or other place.”
Pets are usually covered under the liability limit of a homeowner’s insurance policy.
Author Elizabeth Djinis is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder and writes frequently about selling merchandise online through social platforms. Her work has appeared in Teen Vogue, Smithsonian Magazine, and the Tampa Bay Times.
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