Like all pet owners, you probably look at your dog as part of the your family and an important part of your home. Insurance companies, on the other hand, may have a different perspective, especially if he or she happens to be one of the dog breeds that may be excluded on your homeowners insurance policy.
Insurance companies have a list of breeds of dogs that are prohibited because they are considered to be a financial liability to the company in the event of a claim related to injuries by these dogs. These breeds are considered “aggressive” or “dangerous” and can cost them thousands of dollars.
Last year, the Insurance Information Institute reported that that dog injury related claims cost an average of $33,000 for each claim and accounted for more than one-third of all homeowner liability dollars that insurance companies paid out. So to cover their bottom line, companies are either passing those costs to the homeowner through higher premiums or, depending on your location and the insurance company, denying coverage for some dog breeds and their owners altogether.
If you currently own a dog, these are the five breeds that are the most common found to be prohibited by most insurance companies:
- Chow Chow
- Doberman
- Rottweiler
- Pit Bull
- Presa Canario
(Keep in mind that both pure-bred and mixed breed dogs qualify for the exclusion.)
If you own a dog and have questions about whether or not your homeowners insurance covers your pet, your best bet is to give your insurance agent a call.
If you are currently looking for new or change your homeowners insurance and own a dog that may be considered to be on the prohibited breed list, give us a call and we can help you find the best coverage and walk you through any questions you have.