Best and Cheapest Homeowners Insurance That Allows Pit Bulls

Icon of a woman
Charlotte EdwardsInsurance Writer

Charlotte Edwards is a freelance writer with a passion for educating others in the areas of personal finance, health, and education. An educator-turned-writer, she has written for publications worldwide over the past decade. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching classic movies, and spending time with her husband and two children. You can learn more about her work and life abroad at www.livinginchinawithkids.com.

John Leach
Edited byJohn Leach
Photo of an Insurify author
John LeachSenior Insurance Copy Editor
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 8+ years editing experience

John leads Insurify’s copy desk, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.

Featured in

media logo

Updated July 6, 2021 | Reading time: 4 minutes

Advertiser Disclosure

At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.

We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.

Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.

While loyal to their owners, “man’s best friend” isn’t always viewed in the same light by insurance companies, especially when it comes to what are considered dangerous breeds. There are certain options for homeowners insurance for dog owners because the majority of pet-related claims come from dog bites and injuries.

These 10 breeds are generally considered dangerous, and even blacklisted, by some insurers:

  • Pitbull

  • Bull terrier

  • Chow chow

  • German shepherd

  • Rottweiler

  • Wolf hybrid

  • Doberman pinscher

  • Presa Canario

  • Staffordshire terrier

  • Akita

What can you do if you have, or will be getting, one of these dog breeds? You can undoubtedly get a homeowners or renters insurance policy with a dog. Just be prepared to spend a little more time and money finding a policy that gives you and your pets enough liability coverage.

Why Homes with Pit Bulls Are Expensive to Insure

Data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that there were nearly 17,000 dog bite claims in 2020. Statistics from Dog Bite Law show that although pit bulls account for less than six percent of the dog population in the U.S., they cause nearly two-thirds of the dog-related injuries.

The average cost for these dog bite claims, which include medical bills and property damage, is just over $50,000 per incident. Insurance companies have policies to mitigate the financial risk they take on when deciding to underwrite policies for dog owners. This is done by either having dog breed restrictions and charging dog owners higher premiums.

It’s not just physical injuries that dogs cause. They are capable of doing property damage to your neighbors’ homes or vehicles and even the cars of your guests. Since your homeowners liability insurance covers you away from home, a good policy will cover your hound when you’re at the park or out for your daily walk.

Some companies blacklist certain dog breeds altogether to avoid the added liability that comes with dog ownership. Others may offer other insurance options like having special dog liability riders but exclude the dog from your homeowner’s policy. You need to search around for a policy that meets your needs and protects everyone in your family, pup included!

How to Find Homeowners Insurance with a Pit Bull

First, check with your current homeowners insurance company to learn their policies regarding dogs. It’s essential to know your city, county, and state laws regarding dog ownership and insurance.

For example, Michigan and Pennsylvania have laws that protect dog owners. Insurance companies are not allowed to cancel or deny coverage in some existing policies. In Ohio, owners of dangerous dog breeds must carry an extra $100,000 in liability coverage.

Some insurance companies will take the temperament of your pet into consideration. You must raise and train your pit bull well to lower your liability. You should discourage roughhousing since pit bulls are strong and energetic. Use these to your advantage: engage your dog in daily games of catch and go for long walks twice a day.

Socialization is also vital for all dogs, but especially dog breeds more prone to aggressiveness toward others. Your pit bull should be able to be around both unfamiliar people and dogs and behave well. It’s never too late to start, and if you do not see progress, hire a trainer. A good one can work miracles with your dog.

Expect your insurance company to send a representative to your home to evaluate your dog, even the ones that do underwrite policies for all dog breeds. This is normal, and you can use it as your opportunity to show how gentle and loveable your dog is.

It might be easier than you think to get insurance quotes from insurance carriers who accept dogs of all breeds. But if they won’t cover your dog, you have some options:

  • Ask if they offer canine liability insurance. Some companies will not cover your pit bull as part of your homeowners policy but do offer add-on policies that give policyholders coverage specifically for their canine.

  • Consider an umbrella insurance policy. Whether or not your policy covers your dog, an umbrella policy gives you extra protection. Read the policy carefully, and ask questions to ensure that your dog is covered.

  • Check with your network. You probably know someone or have a Facebook friend who knows someone who is a fellow pit bull owner and will tell you which company their homeowners insurance is through.

  • Bundle your insurance policies. When you use the same insurer for your home and car insurance, they generally offer a discount.

  • Get a home insurance policy elsewhere. There are insurance companies that will cover your pit bull. At most, you’ll need to do a bit of sleuthing to find them and compare policies. Insurify makes it easy to find homeowners insurance that covers pet ownership.

Money-saving tip: Even if you can stay with your current provider, shopping around for rates with Insurify might save you money or give you access to a better policy, especially when it comes to your pup.

Compare Home Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

Tips to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs with a Pit Bull

When it comes to an insurance company deciding their coverage policy for dogs, they go by the facts. Although you can’t imagine that your adorable dog would ever hurt a fly, the stats show that insurance liability claims for dogs are high.

  • Get your dog certified as a canine good citizen. This program from the American Kennel Club tests your pup’s manners in 10 different skill areas. Successful completion of this program may help you get better rates on your insurance coverage.

  • Purchase a separate dog liability policy. This stand-alone policy gives you extra liability protection.

  • Shop around for homeowners insurance rates. It’s the 21st century, and you no longer need to be loyal to your insurance agent or a specific company. You might be surprised at the results if you spend a few minutes searching for a dog-friendly home insurance policy. The Insurify comparison tool makes finding insurance a breeze.

While it’s uncommon to have a pit bull as a service dog, some insurance companies that do not usually cover this breed will make an exception. The caveat is that your dog must have the proper documents showing he or she does indeed fulfill this role.

FAQ: Home Insurance and Pit Bulls

  • Do I have to tell my insurance company about my pet pit bull?

    Yes, you need to disclose, and you shouldn’t lie about your pet. There are insurance companies that will underwrite homeowners insurance policies for pit bull owners. The worst-case scenario is that you have to find a new insurance company.

  • Can I qualify for renters insurance if I have a pit bull?

    Yes, you can find renters insurance policies with a pit bull, but expect to do a bit of sleuthing to find the right company. But before you look for a policy, be sure that your landlord is on board with your pets. Some rental properties have restrictions on dog breeds.

  • What if none of the home insurance companies I call will cover me if I have a pit bull?

    Keep searching! Some insurance companies are known for insuring pit bulls and other hard-to-insure dog breeds. Allstate, Farmers, Nationwide, USAA, and State Farm are a few. Using an online tool like Insurify will help you find a new insurance provider in just minutes.

The Bottom Line: You Can Find Insurance Companies That Will Cover Your Pit Bull

While it might seem disappointing to find that your current homeowners insurance company won’t cover your new pet, don’t despair. You can find a policy that will offer the liability coverage you need.

You should never go without homeowners or renters insurance just because it’s hard to find coverage for your dog. A single claim, even if it’s not related to your pet at all, could ruin your finances for years to come. Try the Insurify comparison tool to search for better home insurance today.

Compare Home Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers
Charlotte Edwards
Charlotte EdwardsInsurance Writer

Charlotte Edwards is a freelance writer with a passion for educating others in the areas of personal finance, health, and education. An educator-turned-writer, she has written for publications worldwide over the past decade. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching classic movies, and spending time with her husband and two children. You can learn more about her work and life abroad at www.livinginchinawithkids.com.

John Leach
Edited byJohn LeachSenior Insurance Copy Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
John LeachSenior Insurance Copy Editor
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 8+ years editing experience

John leads Insurify’s copy desk, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.

Featured in

media logo