Getting a Dog? Check with Your Insurance Agent: Some Breeds Cause Problems

Before buying a dog, consider checking with your insurance agent.  Insurers have gotten pickier about insuring homeowners who own certain breeds that pose a risk of injuring people. A quick check could save you a lot of headaches later. 

When your homeowners, condo or renter’s policy comes up for renewal, the insurer typically sends a questionnaire that asks about dogs and other hazards.  If you have a breed of dog that the company believes could be an issue, your policy may be non-renewed or cancelled. 

Dog breeds fall into three categories.  The worst category in insurers’ eyes is made up of four breeds. Virtually no standard insurance company will cover you if you have a Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Pit Bull or Rottweiler.  If you own one of these, you’ll almost certainly have to obtain your home insurance from the more-expensive state insurance pool or a specialty insurer.  

The second category encompasses borderline breeds.  A certain breed—a Husky, for instance—may be okay with one insurance company but not with another. If you have a certificate showing that the dog has gotten obedience training, it may help.  

Among the borderline breeds are supersize canines, such as the English Bullmastiff and Great Dane.  These big dogs, though unaggressive, may playfully jump on someone and accidently knock him or her down and cause an injury.  

If your insurer drops you, your agent will have to find a replacement. Since multi-policy discounts for homeowners and auto insurance depend on having both policies with the same company, you may need to change auto insurers as well. 

The vast majority of breeds fall into the no-problem category.  Most breeds aren’t a problem, unless your particular dog has bitten people in the past.  

To avoid insurance problems, do a little research before you get a dog. If it’s a puppy, ask your insurance agent if the breed is going to be an issue. Ask the pet shop or breeder about the characteristics of the breed. If it’s a rescue dog, find out if it has a biting history or if it was abused. It’s better to find out sooner rather than later and possibly have to give it up after you’ve become attached to it. 

Occasionally, there’s wiggle room but each circumstance is different.  No matter what kind of dog you have, you can almost always obtain home insurance. But if you have a problem breed, it will probably be more expensive and the coverage may be more limited.