Co-authored the book “Future Millionaires’ Guidebook”
13 years writing personal finance content
A former chief copy editor at Bankrate and past managing editor at Macmillan, Kim specializes in writing easy-to-understand, actionable personal finance content.
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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When you’re buying homeowners insurance, the price and coverage options are probably two of your top priorities. But you may have additional considerations if you own a dog. In some states, home insurance companies might not cover owners of dog breeds that they consider to be “aggressive.”
But some companies, including Allstate, are more dog-friendly than others. Allstate is worth considering if your dog is a “high-risk” breed but lacks a history of aggression.
Here’s what to know about Allstate’s stance on dog breed restrictions.
Does Allstate home insurance have dog breed restrictions?
When writing home insurance policies, Allstate doesn’t restrict or deny coverage based solely on a dog’s breed. The company determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
This means if you own a breed that Allstate considers to be aggressive but your pup has never bitten or attacked people or other animals, you can probably still get the home insurance coverage you need.
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Why insurers restrict certain dog breeds from coverage
Homeowners insurance companies restrict coverage for certain dog breeds to reduce risk. Every year in the U.S., dogs bite more than 4.5 million people, and most of them are children.
Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically cover the legal costs and medical expenses associated with dog bites, up to the policy’s limits. The average cost per dog bite claim was $58,545 in 2023.[1]
Insurance companies know there’s a high risk of paying out claims if a homeowner has a dog that’s prone to biting or they consider to be an aggressive breed. As a result, some insurance companies take precautions to reduce risk. They may do one or more of the following:
Decline insurance coverage for homeowners who own restricted dog breeds
Charge the homeowner a higher premium
Decide not to renew the homeowner’s insurance policy
Exclude the dog from coverage
Ask dog owners to sign liability waivers for dog bites
Require the dog to attend behavior classes to prevent problems
Ask the owner to restrain the dog with a muzzle, chain, or cage
Important Information
Each insurance company sets its own rules and may have a different list of restricted dog breeds. And some companies, like Allstate and State Farm, decide whether to write homeowners insurance policies on a case-by-case basis. Instead of asking about your dog’s breed, the company may ask other questions about your dog, like its weight and bite history.
Can home insurance companies legally deny or cancel coverage for people who own a restricted dog breed?
It depends on your home’s location. Many states allow breed-specific legislation, so insurance companies can legally deny, cancel, or increase your premium because of the type of dog you own.[2]
But the following states prohibit insurers from denying or canceling home coverage based solely on your dog’s breed:
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut
Illinois
Maine
Michigan
Nevada
New York
Pennsylvania
Vermont
In some states, like Ohio, insurance companies can require dog owners to buy liability insurance if their pets have been classified as vicious.
Common restricted dog breeds
Insurers with dog restrictions typically exclude the following breeds from coverage either because of their size or their perceived likelihood to bite:
Akita
Alaskan malamute
American bulldog
American Staffordshire terrier
Belgian Malinois
Bullmastiff
Bull terrier
Cane corso
Chow chow
Doberman Pinscher
Dogo Argentino
German shepherd
Great Dane
Pit bull terrier
Presa Canario
Rottweiler
Siberian husky
Wolf hybrids
Does home insurance cover dog bites?
Homeowners insurance policies typically cover dog bites under two main types of coverage: liability and medical payments. These coverages help handle costs that arise from injuries your dog causes, providing financial protection for both the victim and you as the dog owner.[3]
Liability coverage
If you’re legally responsible for property damage or injuries to others, the liability coverage part of your homeowners insurance policy protects you financially. The policy pays for the legal costs, settlements, or judgments associated with the claim up to your policy’s limit. The policy should include a coverage limit, which typically ranges from $100,000 to $300,000.
Medical payments coverage
This portion of your homeowners insurance covers medical bills if your dog bites someone and they need medical attention, without legal involvement. But it won’t cover any medical bills for your family or your dog.
If your dog bites someone and their claim exceeds your policy’s limits, you’ll be responsible for the expenses above what your insurer covers. If you want higher liability limits, consider buying an umbrella insurance policy for more protection.
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How to get home insurance with a restricted dog breed
If you have a restricted dog breed, here are a few steps you can take to get home insurance:
Order a DNA test for your dog. If you or your insurer is unsure whether your dog is a commonly restricted breed, you can order a DNA test online or from your vet. The results may show your dog doesn’t belong on a restricted breed list.
Ask about exceptions. Some insurance companies will still cover a restricted breed if the dog is a service dog or has earned a Canine Good Citizen certificate from the American Kennel Club.[4]
Research dog-friendly insurance companies. You may be able to find a dog-friendly insurer that will cover your dog. Some companies with flexible dog breed policies include Allstate, American Family, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, State Farm, and USAA. Contact these companies and ask for quotes to see which one offers you the lowest price.
Train and socialize your dog. Some insurance companies may restrict or cancel coverage after your dog bites a person. So once you have coverage, it’s important to make sure your dog behaves well and doesn’t bite others. Consider enrolling your pet in a reputable training program and socializing it with people to reduce the risk of it biting someone.
Allstate dog breed restrictions FAQs
When you own a dog that insurance companies consider a high-risk breed, finding homeowners insurance can be a stressful process. Here’s some additional information about Allstate’s dog breed restrictions.
What dog breeds are restricted under Allstate’s policies?
Allstate doesn’t restrict specific dog breeds when writing homeowners insurance policies. Instead, the company asks questions about your dog’s bite history.
Does Allstate cover pit bulls?
It depends. If your pit bull has a history of biting, Allstate may use that information when determining whether to insure your home.
Can you get homeowners insurance with a pit bull?
It depends on where you live, which insurance company writes your policy, and your dog’s behavioral history. If you have a pit bull and live in a state that prohibits breed discrimination, your insurance company won’t be able to deny coverage based on your dog’s breed.
A dog with a history of aggressive behavior may prevent you from getting homeowners insurance with the company, though. If you live elsewhere and your insurance company has rules against covering certain breeds, you might not be able to get coverage. Insurance companies commonly exclude pit bulls from coverage because they’re associated with bite claims.
What homeowners insurance companies don’t discriminate by dog breed?
Some insurance companies won’t deny coverage based on dog breed or have flexible restrictions. Those companies include:
American Kennel Club. "Is Your Dog a Good Citizen? You’d Better Hope So, for Insurance’s Sake."
Kim Porter
Kim Porter is a writer and editor who's been creating personal finance content since 2010. Before transitioning to full-time freelance writing in 2018, Kim was the chief copy editor at Bankrate, a managing editor at Macmillan, and co-author of the personal finance book "Future Millionaires' Guidebook." Her work has appeared in AARP's print magazine and on sites such as U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, NextAdvisor, Credit Karma, and more. Kim loves to bake and exercise in her free time, and she plans to run a half marathon on each continent.
Kim has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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