Certain Dog Breeds Could Affect Your Insurance Coverage

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.