UPDATED: AUGUST 08, 2023 | 3 MIN READ
While your pet may seem calm and well-trained with everyone in the family, it can still become scared or excited with strangers. To ensure you don’t end up with a large hospital bill if your pet should bite someone unexpectedly, here are some things you need to understand about dog-friendly homeowners insurance.
Does Having Dogs Make Your Homeowner’s Insurance Increase?
Whether or not having a dog will increase your insurance premiums depends on the insurance company and the dog breed. Dog breeds that are muscular, capable of serious injury with a single bite, or are known to be aggressive breeds can cause your premiums to increase. The average dog-friendly homeowners insurance price will not increase unless you have a dog breed on their restricted dog list.
How much will my homeowner’s insurance increase if I get a dog?
If you decide to get a dog that is considered a risk, you can expect your dog-friendly homeowners insurance premiums to increase anywhere from $75 to $1,500 annually. The increase depends on the breed of dog, how much it weighs, where you live, and any past aggression problems the dog has.
When I get a dog, do I need to tell my home insurance company?
It’s always a good idea to inform your insurance company if there’s a new risk in your home, including the addition of a dog.
Why do Home Insurance Carriers restrict some Dog Breeds?
Any dog can bite, especially if scared or hurt. However, some dog breeds are more aggressive and dangerous than others. Generally speaking, very muscular dogs and dogs trained for security or protection are considered a higher risk. If your pet falls into a restricted breed, you can purchase additional dog insurance or an umbrella policy to cover them.
Insurers restrict what dog breeds?
Some dog-friendly homeowners insurance policies have a restricted breeds list and some don’t. Here are the most common restricted breeds:
- Pit bull
- Rottweiler
- German Shepherd
- Mastiff
- Cane Corso
- Wolf Hybrid
- Chow Chow
- Doberman Pinscher
- Akita
- Shar-Pei
Note: this isn’t a complete list; you should check your insurance policy to see which breeds are restricted.
What should I do if my insurer won’t cover my dog’s breed?
If your homeowners insurance doesn’t cover your dog, you can either find a company to insure you or purchase additional canine insurance to cover dog-related liability issues and possibly pet damage.
Does my homeowners insurance cover dog bites?
Yes, your liability insurance covers dog bites as long as your dog isn’t a restricted breed. However, it’s common for insurers to cancel a homeowners policy at renewal after a dog-bite home insurance claim. At the very least, it would increase your rates and probably exclude any further incidents from coverage.
How to Get Dog-Friendly Homeowner’s Insurance
The best way to ensure a pet-friendly homeowners insurance policy is to ask your insurance company what dog-related claims are covered. They’ll also tell you which dogs they do and don’t insure.
Is it harder to get homeowners insurance with dogs?
As long as your dog is not on the restricted list, it’s not hard to purchase dog-friendly homeowner’s insurance. You might have to shop around a bit more to find an insurer if you own a restricted breed.
What are some dog-friendly homeowners insurance companies?
Some dog-friendly home insurance companies include:
- AIG
- American Family
- State Farm
- Allstate
- USAA
FAQs
Do I have to tell my homeowners insurance company I got a dog?
It’s best to tell your home insurance company to ensure you have the right coverage when you get a dog.
Can homeowners insurance drop you because of a dog bite?
Yes. Insurance companies can choose not to renew your home insurance policy after a dog-bite claim. If the company renews your policy, you’ll probably see a rate increase, and the terms could exclude any further dog-related claims.
Does a dog impact home insurance?
As long as your dog is not on the restricted breeds list and does not bite anyone, it will not impact your homeowners insurance.
What is pet liability insurance for homeowners?
Pet liability insurance covers the cost of medical bills if your pet injures someone. It also covers the cost of repairing or replacing another person’s property if your pet damaged it.
Is there a dog breed blacklist, and if so, what dogs are on it?
Different states, cities, and insurance companies have a list of dog breeds considered aggressive and dangerous. Not all lists are the same. However, the most common breeds on the list include Pitbulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Doberman Pinschers.
The Easiest Way to Find Dog-Friendly Homeowner’s Insurance
The easiest way to find a dog-friendly homeowners insurance is to get several home insurance quotes and review what each one covers. Read the fine print to see whether dog breeds are restricted.
