If you’re a dog owner, you may have heard rumors that your furry friend could affect your homeowners insurance rates—or even your eligibility for coverage. And while it might sound surprising, yes, the type of dog you own can impact your homeowners insurance premiums.
But why? And how does it work?
Here’s the full scoop.
Why Insurance Companies Care About Dog Breeds
Homeowners insurance includes liability coverage, which protects you financially if someone is injured on your property—including from a dog bite or attack.
Because dog bite claims can be expensive, insurers assess risk based on the dog’s:
- Size
- Strength
- Bite history
- Breed characteristics
- Behavioral tendencies
Certain breeds are statistically more likely to be involved in serious injury claims. To insurers, that equals higher risk.
Dog Breeds That May Affect Your Homeowners Insurance
Different insurance companies use different lists, but many flag the same breeds as higher risk, such as:
- Pit Bulls
- Rottweilers
- Doberman Pinschers
- German Shepherds
- Akitas
- Chow Chows
- Wolf hybrids
- Mastiffs
- Huskies (with some carriers)
- Great Danes
- Alaskan Malamutes
Some insurers will:
- Charge higher premiums
- Require additional liability coverage
- Ask for proof of training or behavioral evaluations
- Exclude the dog from liability coverage
- Refuse to insure the home entirely (less common, but possible)
Again, this depends heavily on the company and state regulations.
Does This Mean You Can’t Get Insurance if You Own a “Restricted” Breed?
No—not necessarily.
Many insurers will still write the policy, but may:
✔ Add a small surcharge
✔ Require a higher liability limit
✔ Exclude dog liability from coverage
✔ Ask you to sign a “no dangerous animals” waiver
✔ Request documentation showing the dog is well-trained
Some states even prohibit insurers from discriminating based on breed, including:
- Michigan
- New York
- Nevada
- Pennsylvania (depending on local laws)
- Colorado (for certain policies)
Laws are evolving, so this protection may expand in the future.
What Matters Even More Than Breed? Behavior History
Insurance companies take a dog’s behavior very seriously.
If your dog has:
- Never shown aggression
- Completed obedience training
- Been socialized properly
- No bite history
…many insurers will view you as lower risk—even if your dog is a large or historically restricted breed.
However:
A prior bite incident can lead to:
- Higher premiums
- Excluded liability coverage
- Policy non-renewal
Behavior often outweighs breed in real-world underwriting decisions.
How to Keep Your Rates Low When You Have a Dog
Here are steps that may help minimize premium increases:
✔ Provide proof of training or obedience classes
A certificate from a recognized program can help.
✔ Install secure fencing or gates
Demonstrates responsible pet ownership.
✔ Disclose your dog honestly
Failure to disclose can cause claim denials later.
✔ Consider an umbrella policy
Adds $1–$5 million in extra liability protection at a low cost.
✔ Shop around
Some insurers are much more dog-friendly than others.
Why Companies View Some Dogs as Higher Risk
Insurers base their decisions on:
- Historical claims data
- Average severity of injuries
- Cost per incident
- Court settlements
- Medical payments associated with bite claims
It’s not about whether your dog is friendly—it’s about actuarial statistics and industry trends.
Final Thoughts
Yes—the type of dog you have can impact your homeowners insurance premiums.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t get affordable coverage.
In summary:
- Some breeds may raise premiums or require extra coverage.
- Behavior and bite history often matter more than breed.
- Many insurers will still write the policy with conditions.
- You can often reduce risk through training, documentation, and safe home setups.
- Laws in some states protect dog owners from breed-based underwriting.
If you’re concerned about how your specific dog may affect your insurance options, I can write a follow-up blog or provide tailored messaging for your insurance agency. Just let me know!