Those Dog-Gone Dogs and Your Homeowners Insurance Policy

Word on the Street On Dogs

I say: “You’ve got some updog on your shirt”

You say: “what’s updog?

I say: “oh, not much just checking in on my homeowner’s policy on dogs. What’s

up with you, dawg?”

You say: “Oh that’s a great idea, I’m actually reading a blog about that right now!

So far it’s off to a weird start…”

If your pup has a serious history of aggressive behavior it is paw-sible that you

could be denied coverage which could end up pretty ruff. But not to worry, this

blog is the ulti-mutt guide to homeowners insurance and your furry friend.

Companies that accept all breeds

If you are insured by these companies, STOP reading here. You and your furry

friend are free to raise the woof and celebrate your coverage.

• Amica

• Chubb

• Fireman’s

• Nationwide

• State Farm

• USAA

While there is no “pet insurance coverage,” yet. Your pet coverage will likely be

included with your umbrella policy which are usually between $100,000 and

$300,000, and your medical payment coverage limits, which are generally

between $1,000 and $5,000.

Fact: Dog bite injuries are the most common pet-related insurance claim.

According to the CDC, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, and more

than 50% of those occur on the dog owner’s property, which could cause some

serious financial damage.

Commonly Blacklisted Breeds

Insurance companies look for bigger breeds that are known to bite or cause

liabilities such as chewing through drywall or ruining your fence.

• Akita

• Alaskan Malamute

• American Pit Bull Terrier

• Chow Chow

• Cane Corso

• Doberman Pinscher

• German Shepherd

• Great Dane

• Presa Canarios

• Rottweiler

• Siberian Husky

• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

• Wolf Hybrid

Picture of Wolf Hybrid

Be sure to shop around and do your research on which companies are likely to

insure your pup. Worst case scenario, if you are denied coverage you may be

able to buy a separate pet liability coverage!

Pro-tip: DNA test your dog to verify their breed, especially if they were adopted.

What about my non-dog furry friends?

Did Joe Exotic inspire you to buy a tiger last spring? And now you have this big

cat at your home and you’re not sure how to insure it? Ask your insurance agent

about exotic animal coverage for your policy. Again, worst case scenario, if

you are denied coverage you may be able to buy “exotic pet insurance”

Now, I’ll quit hounding you with these insurance facts and let you get back to

having a paw-some day!

Got a question about this topic that you’d like to ask live? Give Weedin a call. We’re happy to hear your story. We’re dog lovers too!