By: Edward
L. Blais, JD, CIC
President,
Blais Insurance
Dogs
hold a special place in the hearts of homeowners. That much is clear when you
examine statistics from the American Pet Products Association that found dogs
occupy more than 60 million U.S. households. While America’s love for Fido is
undeniable, Blais Insurance would like to share important information about dog
breeds and how they could impact your homeowners insurance policy.
Roughly
4.7 million dog bites happen in the United States every year and nearly 800,000
of those bites require medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Since pet owners are legally responsible for any harm a
dog causes to someone, carriers have a valid reason to be concerned about a
homeowner’s liability risk.
Carriers
show that concern by maintaining a list of dog breeds they will not insure.
Regardless of how homeowners might feel about certain dog breeds being singled
out, insurance providers will not budge from their position — forcing
homeowners to find another insurance policy, if one is even available.
The
selection of ‘dangerous’ dog breeds is not arbitrary. Dog breeds are placed on
these lists if they are disproportionately involved in dog bite claims. A few dog
breeds that could make your home challenging to insure include:
· Pit Bulls (American
Staffordshire terriers)
· Rottweilers
· German Shepherds
· Siberian Huskies
· Akitas
· And many others
Homeowners
who neglect to tell their insurance provider that they have a ‘dangerous’ dog
breed could be denied coverage if something were to happen. If you have one of
these breeds or are planning to welcome one into your family, Blais Insurance
encourages you to speak with one of our agents at 401-725-0070 to learn about
your insurance options.
