Why do insurance companies care what breed my dog is?

Here at Integrity First, loving dogs is basically a requirement. We know that even the dog breeds that get a bad rep can be the sweetest dogs out there and would never hurt anyone. The insurance industry doesn’t hate dogs, but they use analytics to determine risks.

Many insurance carriers have restricted breed lists. If you have a dog that is on their list, you can’t get home insurance with that company. As unfair as that may seem, insurance is based on probability. Research shows that certain dog breeds inflict significant damage when they bite.

Why do certain dog breeds end up on most Aggressive or Restricted Breed lists?

One common misconception is that all breeds on the restricted lists are more likely to bite someone. That might be true for some breeds. But many make the list because of the amount of damage the dog would do if they were to bite someone.

Most of us have met a Chihuahua that bites everyone it meets. Even though that dog is extremely likely to bite someone, its bite doesn’t cause much damage. A Pit Bull, on the other hand, could be the nicest dog in the neighborhood. But if it feels threatened and lashes out, it would cause much more serious injuries than a Chihuahua.

According to Canine Journal, 4.5 million dog bites occur each year. Out of those, 81% “cause no injury at all or only minor injuries that do not require medical attention.”

The average cost paid out in 2017 for dog bite insurance claims was $37,051, as reported by Insurance Journal. This tells us that the remaining 19% of dog bites are much more severe.

Even if your dog is not on a restricted breed list, most insurance companies won’t offer coverage if you have an aggressive dog. If you have a dog with a history of biting or aggressive behavior, it will be difficult to find home insurance. You might have to exclude liability coverage for your dog to get insurance for your home.

Trained guard dogs and dogs trained to fight are also generally ineligible for coverage.

At the end of the day, insurance companies have the right to choose which “risks” they will or will not take. It’s the same situation with a poor driving record, or if you live in an area with a high brushfire risk.

If an insurance company agrees to insure you, they’re responsible for paying claims. To avoid claims with higher payouts, like dog bites, insurance companies limit how much risk they take.

Dogs commonly found on Restricted Breed Lists:

This is not a comprehensive list, nor is it the same for every carrier.

Akita
American Staffordshire Terrier
Chow
Doberman Pinscher
German Shepherd
Pit Bull
Presa Canario
Rottweiler
Siberian Husky

How can I get homeowners insurance if I have a dog that is on most Restricted Breed lists?

As long as your dog doesn’t have a history of aggressive behavior, there are a few carriers that are willing to insure your home. We write with multiple carriers that don’t have an ineligible breed list. The choices are certainly more limited, but it isn’t impossible to find coverage.

The insurance carriers that don’t have restricted breed lists tend to mitigate their risks in other areas. They’ll likely require your auto insurance to be written with them and they usually only take drivers with a good driving record.

It’s also common for them to have a lower threshold for what brushfire risks they’ll take. Since they’re not as picky about dogs as most carriers are, they make up for it by being more selective in other areas.

If your dog does have a history of aggression, it’ll be much more difficult to find coverage. You’ll likely need to go to a non-standard insurance provider. It’s not impossible to find coverage, but the you might have to sacrifice some coverages that preferred carries offer.

What can I do to avoid a dog liability claim?

1. Always keep your dog on a leash when walking.

Your dog may be well behaved, but you can’t control other people or other animals. If someone approaches you in a way your dog deems threatening, or another animal startles your dog, it’s only natural for your dog to react. Even if someone else does something to trigger your dog, you’re still responsible for damage your dog causes.

2. Don’t let a stranger pet your dog.

Similar to the scenario above, you never know how your dog will perceive a new person. It’s safer to avoid the risk rather than assume your dog will treat a new stranger the same as they have treated new people in the past.

3. Train your dog.

If you train your dog well from the beginning, they’re more likely to remain under your control. Dogs that don’t have proper training tend to act out. They don’t understand their limits, making them a greater risk.

If your dog starts to exhibit aggressive or unfavorable behavior, call a dog trainer before it becomes a problem.

4. Don’t leave an infant or child alone with your dog.

Children are cute and fun, but they’re also loud and unpredictable. I never thought my toddler would try to lick my dog’s ear, but she did. My dog didn’t mind because she’s fairly docile, but you never know how an animal will react to a new experience.

Sporadic behavior and random loud noises scare dogs. Children can often be a trigger and cause a dangerous reaction. Both dogs and children don’t know enough to be trusted alone together.

5. Get an Umbrella policy.

An umbrella policy won’t help you avoid a claim, but it can protect you if something does happen. It will keep you from paying out of pocket for costly medical expenses if your dog bites someone.

You can often get an extra $1 Million of liability coverage for around $300/year with an umbrella policy. That will go a long way in avoiding a lawsuit against you if your dog causes damages.

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Sources:

Dog Bite Statistics (How Likely Are You To Get Bit?). (2020, August 28). Retrieved January 12, 2021, from https://www.caninejournal.com/dog-bite-statistics/

Dog Bite Claims Cost Insurers $700 Million. (2018, April 09). Retrieved January 12, 2021, from https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2018/04/06/485542.htm