What dog breeds may increase your homeowners insurance premium?

When a home insurance company considers you for a homeowners insurance policy there is a good chance they will take the breed of dog you have into account. There are dogs that are more aggressive than others or may have a history of biting. Dog bites can lead to very costly liability insurance claims. Due to this most insurance companies are cautious when approving homeowners for coverage.

Typically, this is regardless of how well behaved your pup may be. There is still a very good chance the insurance company may deny you coverage just by the breed of dog you own. Please keep in mind that each insurance company has their own rules regarding dog and pets. Some may have more restrictions than others and some may be slightly more lenient. 

The reason behind some dog breeds being banned by some insurance companies

There is an astounding 4.5 million dog bites per year according to the CDC. Roughly a quarter of these attacks are considered serious enough to be in need of medical attention. 

• In 2018, insurance companies paid out $675 million in dog bite related claims.
• Between 2003 & 2018 the average pay out for dog bite claims increased by 103%

The data on dog bites is one of the main reasons an insurance company may see them as a bigger risk to insure. Statistics from risk models show that certain breeds of dog are a higher risk to bite than others. With a higher risk breed you can either expect higher premiums or a complete denial of coverage. 

What dog breeds are blacklisted from homeowners insurance coverage?

Most homeowners insurance companies will have a list of high risk breeds. These breeds may have a history of aggression, or biting. In addition, if your dog breed is known for being aggressive, there is a good chance they will be grouped together with all the dogs in their breed even if they are incredibly nice compared to their more aggressive breed.

Below are some of the dog breeds that your homeowners insurance company may see as a higher risk  

Akita

Akitas were bred for generations as guardian and bear-hunting dogs. If not properly trained, their hunting instincts can take over.

Chow

Chows are known for having a calm disposition. That is, until they’re provoked. Also, their peripheral vision range is very small. This makes them very easy to startle and irritate.

Doberman Pinscher

Dobermans can have issues with dominance which can sometimes lead to high-risk behavior.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds need a lot of TLC. If they are bored or irritated, they can have problems with other animals and people.

Great Dane

Great Danes need to be socialized with people and other dogs starting when they are young. Otherwise, their size can make them hard to control.

Pit Bull

Pit bulls have a notorious reputation, unfortunately. You may have the sweetest pit on the block, but they still have a high-risk history with many home insurers.

Rottweiler

While a properly-trained Rottweiler can be a good family dog, their protective nature can lead to aggression.

Siberian Husky

Huskies have a strong instinct to chase anything that runs, which can lead to problems with children.

Wolf Hybrid

Wolf hybrids are illegal in 11 states and DC. Also, and there’s no USDA-approved rabies vaccines for wolf hybrids. These factors are instant coverage denial reasons for many insurers.

Is there anything you can do if your homeowners insurance company won’t cover you dogs breed?

Homeowners insurance companies will each have their own rules and regulations regarding dog breeds. If you have questions in regards to whether or not your dog breed is covered, it’s always best to speak to a professional.

The agents at Eugene C Yates Insurance Agency are experts when it comes to everything regarding home insurance. Give them a call today and they can look into different home insurance companies to see which ones will cover your dogs breed and see which home insurance company will give you the best rate. Please give us a call today at 916 313 6100. We’re nice people and we have great rates!