Some dog breeds are blacklisted by insurance companies.
While you may love your dog and consider them your best friend and an important member of the family, your homeowners insurer may not share your views. In fact, your dog’s breed might determine whether or not an insurance company is even willing to provide coverage for your home.
Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically cover dog bite liability. If a claim exceeds the policy’s limit, though, the dog owner would be personally responsible for all damages above that amount, including legal expenses resulting from dog bites. The severity of claims, and their associated cost, usually varies by breed.
Home insurers are all about evaluating financial risk. Unfortunately, dog bites are a significant financial burden for the insurance industry. Dog bite-related claims account for more than one-third of all homeowners liability claims, and the average claim comes close to $30,000. As a result, some insurance companies have issued their lists of dog breeds which they consider dangerous and, according to their rules, can result in denial of coverage.
Typical breeds that are blacklisted from coverage are:
- Akita
- Chow Chow
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherds
- Pit Bull
- Presa Canario
- Rottweiler
- Siberian Husky
- Wolf Breeds
On occasion, there are other breeds that are deemed to be prohibited. This varies by insurance company. In addition, dogs with a history of biting are generally frowned upon in a company’s underwriting guidelines. Dogs who are prone to bite, regardless of breed, are a concern.
The dogs that are listed are generally considered “dangerous” or “aggressive,” even if the owner will say that their dog has never hurt anyone. Another factor that goes into determining which dogs make the list is size, and therefore, the strength of the bite. Some of the dogs listed are in the top 20 for the strongest bite, measured in pound-force per square inch, while others are not. Regardless, insurance companies will note that a stronger bite will result in more injury and a higher cost of a claim.
Dog ownership is a choice that individuals and families make. If you choose to adopt a dog, regardless of breed, teaching him or her to obey and behave is imperative.
Do you have more questions regarding dog ownership and homeowners insurance? The team at Reata Insurance Group is here to help! We serve Lakeway and the entire state of Texas with reliable home insurance that you can trust. Contact our helpful team to get started today.
