How to Get Home Insurance with a High-Risk Breed
Every insurance company has different rules and regulations regarding dog breed restrictions, so there are options for homeowners with stereotypically aggressive dogs. In general, homeowners with high-risk breeds or mixed breeds face three hurdles when obtaining homeowners coverage: high premiums, policy exclusions, and policy cancellations.
High Premiums
If you recently adopted a dog and found your insurance premiums increased, you aren’t alone. This is because insurance providers typically increase rates for homeowners who have aggressive dogs in anticipation of future attacks and liability claims.
The best way to avoid premium increases is to find an insurer that doesn’t have dog breed restrictions or that determines coverage eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Some insurers and insurance agents will also accept temperament letters from your dog’s vet or confirmation of certified obedience training, like the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program, to exempt high-risk dogs from these restrictions.
Policy Exclusions
Rather than boosting premiums or refusing to cover homeowners with aggressive dogs, some insurers will simply exclude dog attacks or specifically exclude your dog from your policy’s liability coverage.
If your insurer will cover your home but won’t cover your dog, you can purchase additional liability coverage or even buy a specific pet liability policy to cover your bases. Insuring your dog can help cover medical costs as well as potential liability claims. And some insurers offer bundling discounts for home and pet insurance, so make sure to shop around to see what option is best for you and your dog.
Policy Cancellations
In some cases, aggressive breeds and dogs with bite histories can prevent their owners from qualifying for insurance coverage at all.
If you’re having trouble finding an insurer to issue you a homeowners insurance policy or your previous insurer canceled your coverage due to your high-risk dog, your best bet will be finding an insurance provider that doesn’t take dog breeds into consideration or one that determines coverage based on your dog’s behavioral history.
Allstate determines home insurance eligibility for homeowners with aggressive dogs on a case-by-case basis. This means if you own a typically aggressive breed but your pup has never bitten or attacked people or other animals, you can still get the coverage you need.
Companies with flexible dog breed restrictions:
Allstate
Amica
Chubb
Fireman’s
Liberty Mutual
Nationwide
State Farm
USAA