Your Dog and Your Insurance

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According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, every year, more than 4.5 billion Americans suffer dog bites. So, while you can’t imagine Fido ever biting someone, make sure you’re covered if he does.

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To you, your dog is just another member of the family.  But to your insurance company, your furry friend represents an increased liability risk.  In fact, some companies will not insure your home if you have a dog breed that is known to display aggressive behavior, such as:

• Akitas
• American Staffordshire Terriers
• Chow chows
• Doberman pinschers
• German Shepherds
• Mastiffs
• Pit Bulls
• Presa Canarios
• Rottweilers

This list does not reflect the views of every insurer and does not imply that if you own one of these breeds, you won’t be able to obtain insurance…you may just have to shop around.  Some insurance companies write dog-owners’ home insurance policies on a case-by-case basis, and will take the dog’s behavioral history into account.  Additionally, the laws regarding home insurance and dog ownership vary by state.  But the best approach is always​ to be honest with your insurer, and check your policy beforehand.  Some homeowners forget or avoid telling their insurance company about their dog, thinking they’ll evade extra costs and hassles.  However, this notion can come back to “bite” you if your dog should ever hurt someone or cause destruction.  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, every year, more than 4.5 billion Americans suffer dog bites.  So, while you can’t imagine Fido ever biting someone, make sure you’re covered if he does.