A family pet is just that, part of the family. And today, there are more pet owners than ever before. Apartment complexes, parks, some neighborhoods and even special event venues have implemented strict rules and regulations regarding our pets. Homeowners and renter’s insurance is no exception. A good number of insurance carriers will inquire about the pets in a household when going through underwriting of a policy. That said, it’s important to inform your agent of any and all animals you have within the household so they can discuss any potential issues and provide the necessary coverage for your entire family.
Dogs are the foremost concern. Dog bites are one of the leading causes of homeowners’ or renters’ insurance liability claims. As a result, most insurance companies have implemented guidelines and restrictions regarding certain breeds of dogs. Breeds known for their aggression—pit bull, Doberman, Rottweiler, or dogs with a bite history—can impact whether a customer can be insured.
When a high-risk dog is present in a home, the insurance company cannot overlook it. Homeowners’ or renters’ insurance covers injuries, lawsuits or damage caused by a dog or other pet. Even if the incident is an accident, dog-related claims can require financial restitution. As a result, your insurance rates will be higher than a homeowner or renter without a dog.
Not all high-risk breeds are bad dogs. The guidelines implemented by the insurance companies are based solely on the law of large numbers and the statistics obtained regarding dogs bites. To that end, there can be certain exceptions in place for homeowner’s or renters that do own a dog that would be considered high risk. For example, the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program will assess a dog’s behavior and issue a certificate of approval if the dog passes the assessment. The certificate can make accessing insurance easier.
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Allied Insurance at The Insurance Loft
1630 Welton St. Ste. 202
Denver, CO 80202
1 (888) 688 1446