Are you facing home owner insurance dog breed discrimination issues?

This article examines the issue of home owner insurance dog breed discrimination. Tips, advice and reference material is provided to help dog owners obtain homeowners insurance.

The Problem of Home Owner Insurance Dog Breed Discrimination

Some insurance companies will not provide coverage to homeowners with certain dog breeds that are considered malicious or dangerous. It is quite possible that if you own a dog that is deemed dangerous, you will not be able to obtain homeowner insurance. This can be especially tricky if you wish to provide coverage for you dog as well as your home.

Before you get too upset with insurance companies, keep in mind that in 2005, dog bites cost insurers over $317 million. Furthermore, dog bite claims in 2005 accounted for about 15 percent of liability claims paid out of homeowner’s insurance policies. More than 50 percent dog bites occur on a dog owner’s property, so this is a serious issue for insurers. It also drives up everyone’s homeowner’s insurance cost. So, home owner insurance dog breed discrimination is driven by financial considerations.

States have different legislation regulating insurance. It is good to know that some states have prohibited homeowners insurance discrimination based on the breed of your dog. Based on our research, California, Maine, Michigan, and Pennsylvania seem to be the friendliest to dog owners.

Dog breeds most discriminated against by insurance companies include the following:

• Bull Terriers
• American Pit Bull Terriers
• Presas Canarios
• Rottweilers
• Doberman Pinschers
• Chow Chows
• American Straffordshire Terriers

Getting Help: State Insurance Commissioner

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has put together an insurance resource page and also a list of all State Insurance Commissioners. They have also sent messages to each of these Commissioners expressing their opposition to insurance discrimination based on dog breed ownership. They are serious about home owner insurance dog breed discrimination.

As the AKC encourages, if you are having difficulty, definitely contact your state’s insurance commissioner. You can get a list of insurance companies doing business in your state. Work your way through the list of providers until you find homeowners insurance that works for your situation, and doesn’t discriminate against you. Of course, you’ll want to consider cost and coverage not just dog breed discrimination.

The bottom line is to make your voice heard. Let the State Insurance Commissioner know what you think and what you’d like. Get information and know the law and your rights.

Getting Help: Other Resources

There are many other ways to get information and help. Below are some references for you.

• Insurance Information Institute: Homeowner’s Information
• Human Society: Insurance Companies Unfairly Target Breeds
• American Dog Owner’s Association

In general, it is a good idea to find people in a similar situation. Talk to friends, family, neighbors, and other people with dogs. If you can find people with you particular breed, even better. Ask about their homeowner’s insurance and find out if they had any difficulties. Learn from them. Good luck!