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Restricted Dog Breeds

By April 5, 2020June 22nd, 2020Personal Insurance
Why does my insurance company want to know what type of dog I have?

A large amount of liability claims are turned in each year by homeowners as a result of dog bites.  For this reason, many insurance companies have a restricted dog breed list.  Insurance companies want to know what breed of dog you have in order to determine if you are eligible for insurance through them.

Although each dog has a unique personality, like its owner, statistics show that certain dog breeds have substantially more liability claims than others.  These include:

  • Pit Bulls
  • Staffordshire Terriers
  • Rottweilers
  • Doberman Pinschers
  • Presa Canarios
  • Chows
  • Akitas
  • Bull Terriers
  • Wolf mixes
What do I do if I am canceled or rejected for homeowners’ insurance?

Not all insurance companies have a restricted dog breed list, so you would want to start making phone calls.  Keep in mind that higher premiums may be associated with these companies/policies.  You also have the option of looking for an insurance company that will exclude liability from dog-related losses.  This is not recommended, but it is a possible option.

What if I already have insurance?

If you have an existing insurance policy and decide to add a dog to your family that happens to be on the restricted breed list, your insurance company may cancel your insurance, non-renew your insurance, or exclude liability from that dog.