When you’re looking into purchasing homeowners insurance, one thing that might slip your mind is whether or not your dog will be allowed on the policy. This is essential information to know, though, as insurance can cover damages and injuries from a canine. However, not all dogs are insurance-friendly. 

The most common types of dog breeds that are not allowed on most homeowners insurance include Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Akitas, Siberian Huskies, Mastiffs, and more. Insurance companies do not want to risk insuring these breeds as they tend to be aggressive, which would result in more expenses for the company.

It’s important to know which dogs are not typically allowed on homeowners insurance before you check out insurance policies. More importantly, it’s best to know this important info before adopting altogether. Here, you will learn which dog breeds are less likely to be allowed on your insurance, why it’s essential, and whether it’s even necessary. 

Top Dog Breeds That Are Not Allowed on Most Homeowners Insurance

Most people are aware that some dog breeds tend to be more aggressive than others. Whether it is just a stigma or not, the belief is still there. Most homeowner insurance companies accept these ideologies and will not be allowed on the homeowner’s insurance policy.

The dog breeds that are most commonly excluded from a homeowners insurance policy include:

  • Rottweiler
  • Pit Bull
  • Staffordshire Terrier
  • Doberman Pinscher
  • Akita
  • Alaskan Malamute
  • Siberian Husky
  • Wolf breeds
  • Chow Chow
  • Great Dane
  • Presa Canarios
  • Mastiff

This list should not be incredibly shocking. Unfortunately, the dogs on this list have a reputation for being more aggressive than other breeds. With aggressive tendencies, it is far more challenging to find a homeowners insurance policy that will cover your pet. But why?

Why These Breeds Are Not Accepted on Homeowners Insurance Policies

The main reason why an insurance company might reject an aggressive breed is a liability. Insuring this breed of canine is a risk. Since the homeowner’s insurance will cover legal expenses in the event of damage to a person’s property or injury, they are taking a significant risk insuring a canine that tends to harm. 

Another reason why these breeds might be automatically rejected is if they:

  • Have a history of biting, or
  • Have damaged a piece of property in the past.

Most of the time, a dog biting history is an automatic denial of the homeowner’s insurance policy. However, a waiver may be obtained and signed to allow the dog onto the policy in some instances. The same is true for damages. If they have destroyed a part of your home or belongings, they may be automatically rejected. 

What To Do If You Own a Restricted Dog Breed

If you own a restricted dog breed and you need homeowners insurance, don’t panic. Although it makes the task infinitely more complicated, it’s not impossible. Here are some ideas to try when dealing with a restricted dog breed.

Shop Around for Homeowners Insurance That Accept the Bred

Not all insurance companies are created equally. Some companies are not willing to take the risk, while others are. The best thing to do is shop around for companies. The most important question to ask is whether they accept your breed and, if they do, what type of insurance they can provide. Price-compare to find the best deal on your homeowners insurance policy. Click on the button below to get a quote in minutes from multiple top providers:

Consider an Umbrella Liability Policy

An umbrella liability policy can be added to some insurances. The best thing to do is to ask your provider. This umbrella liability policy will offer an exact amount of coverage for incidents that occur in the home. However, make sure that the umbrella policy includes your dog. 

Consider a Canine Liability Policy

Some companies offer a canine liability policy. Sometimes, this type of liability has to be purchased separate from your homeowner’s insurance policy. Either way, a canine liability policy is an excellent way to get your hands on insurance without needing to find a company that accepts your breed. Again, it all comes down to shopping around and finding a plan.

Ask for an Exception

In some cases, an insurance company may grant an exception for your dog - even if it is a restricted breed. The best way to do this is to have your dog complete a 10-step test in front of professional evaluators. If the dog passes, it will be given a Canine Good Citizen award (CGC).

This skill-training certification shows that the dog can behave and obey commands. The accreditation may sway insurance companies to exclude your pup as they were able to pass a rigorous test certified by the American Kennel Club.

Exclude the Dog Entirely

If you’re having severe difficulty finding an insurance policy that accepts your dog’s breed, you may consider excluding them entirely. Keep in mind, though that is a dangerous game to play. If your dog causes damage or injury, you will be paying out of pocket. Those payments can easily range from $500 to $50,000, depending on the circumstances.

Do I Have to Add My Dog to My Homeowner’s Insurance?

The simple answer is no; you do not have to have your dog on your homeowner’s insurance. But while it is not mandatory, it is a good idea to find a company that will accept your pet. 

Why? Because if something were to happen, such as destruction of the property or injury to a person, you would be solely responsible for the expenses. While a rip in the couch might only need a few hundred dollars, an injury to a person can be in the thousands. 

You can minimize the risk by having your canine thoroughly trained and socialized, especially from a young age. You may also consider muzzling your dog when they are outside. However, these are not the full-proof way to ensure that no incidents will happen on your property. Your best bet is to find a company that provides insurance to your restricted dog.

What If I Don’t Tell the Insurance Company About My Restricted Dog?

It is not mandatory to tell the insurance company that you have a restricted dog breed on the property. Therefore, you likely won’t get in trouble should something happen on your property. Keep in mind that the insurance will not cover any damage that occurs or cover injury expenses.

Another thing that can happen is the cancellation of your insurance policy. The insurance won’t want to have any chance of risk happening under their policy, which will lead to automatic denial.

So, whether or not you inform your insurance company of your restricted breed is entirely up to you. The best thing to do, though, is to find a company that will accept your breed. That way, you won’t have to worry about any potential out of pocket expenses. You also won’t have to fear denial or cancellation of your policy in the future.

Final Thoughts

Whether your dog is the sweetest in the pack or not, some dogs are simply restricted from some insurance policies. That is because they have a tendency to be aggressive, and insurance companies do not want the liability. However, although it is far more challenging with a restricted breed as a pet, there are ways around this problem.

The best thing to do is to shop around for a company that accepts your dog breed. You can also consider other options, such as umbrella liability, canine liability plan, and exceptions. While you can exclude the dog altogether, this should be done as a last resort as any destruction or injury expenses will come straight out of pocket.

To get a lower rate on your homeowners insurance compare quotes from multiple providers by clicking on the button below:

Post ID: 3jnnk2DPq Category ID: 6nVlm5V

The responses below are not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any financial entity or advertiser. It is not the advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Comments2 comments

Your comment was sent and will soon be posted.
D
Dee

My dog is a Rottweiler/Mastiff

C
Carol

I have a Husky/pit bull dog