Your dog isn’t just a pet, they’re a member of your family. We understand that dog owners are passionate about the breed of dog they own, though some insurance companies draw lines when it comes to canines.
Dog owners sometimes have to deal with higher premiums, less attractive policies or even no policy options from certain insurance companies. This is because homeowner’s insurance shields against injuries or damage relating to pets owned by the insured. For this reason, some insurance companies won’t offer coverage for homeowners who have certain breeds of dogs.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year, with one in every five dog bites requiring serious medical attention. It costs about $29,000 on average for each dog bite insurance claim, which adds up to over $470 million in costs for insurers—and the cost continues to rise each year.
Breed discrimination is an ongoing issue that the American Kennel Club and other organizations work to combat, though there are several breeds of dog that most insurance companies feel are “bad breeds”. Those include: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Chow Chow, Doberman, German Shepherd, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky and Wolf Hybrid.
If you own one of these breeds of dog, you might have to work harder to find affordable insurance. You can take extra precautions such as completing a certified obedience training course with your dog, putting up a fence, owning a secure kennel, and more in order to signal to your insurance company that you’re doing as much as possible to train your dog to be non-aggressive.
There are some insurance companies that do not discriminate based on breed. Talk to your insurance agent to determine which company works best for your pet, and consider purchasing a separate policy for your pet.
When you’re ready to adjust your homeowner’s insurance, give us a call! We’ve been helping clients save money and protect their homes for decades. Our team can make the insuring process smooth and painless so that you can live worry-free. To reach us by phone, call (715) 754-5254 or (920) 822-3695. You can also email us at insurance@premiercommunity.com or visit www.premiercommunity.com/insure.aspx to learn more.