If you own one of the riskier dog breeds you may face some big homeowner's or renter's insurance headaches, even if your dog has had no history or incidents of any kind. Not surprisingly, with the negative media attention that dogs like Pit Bulls garner when there is an attack on a person, companies offering homeowners and renters insurance are pickier than ever about which types of dogs they'll insure and which they won't. The reason is related to risk. In other words, the insurance companies don't want to deal with a potential lawsuit if someone gets bitten or hurt by your dog while they're in your home.
For homeowners and renters, this can mean a real challenge in finding an insurance provider. The insurance company may just deny you homeowners' or renters' coverage because of your dog. This means you'll have to go find an insurance provider that will cover your dog and that could cost substantially more. Other insurance companies may still extend coverage to you but may charge you a higher premium for it.. And while some people try to skirt this issue by not telling their insurance company about a new dog, this is risky. If something does happen with your dog in your home and you didn't disclose this information, the insurance company may deny your claim. That could cost you thousands and expose you to a variety of liability issues that could be financially devastating.
Of course, the rules on which dogs an insurance company will cover and which they won't vary from company to company and some companies will cover almost any dog. But as a general rule, insurance companies tend to resist covering these types of dog breeds most often. They include Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, Chows and Wolf-hybrids.
To avoid insurance problems, ask your insurance agent about the breed you're considering before you buy him or her. Furthermore, if it's a rescue dog, find out if it has a biting history or was abused. And remember, once a dog injures someone in your home, you risk getting your coverage dropped. And this may make it even more challenging to secure future coverage.
If you own this type of breed or are considering getting this kind of dog, it is likely a decision that has been carefully considered. There is no intention here to discourage you from a particular breed, but you should call your insurance agent to find out whether they cover the breed, and if not, what it will cost to get a homeowners or renters with a company that does.
About the Author:
Learn more about Square One Insurance and house insurance in Canada.. This article, Your Dog and your Home Insurance is available for free reprint.
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