Dogs are the most common household pets. They are, after all, man’s best friend.

As someone who loves their dog dearly, you may genuinely believe that your dog is incapable of hurting anybody, not even a fly. But like most animals, even the best-trained and most well-behaved dogs can bite or harm others when they feel threatened.

Whether you’re still planning to get a dog or already have one, here are some essential details about dogs and your home insurance policy that you should know about:

Homeowners Insurance Typically Covers Dogs And Dog Bites:

Most home insurance policies cover dogs and dog bites to a certain extent and under specific conditions. If your dog injures someone else or causes damage to another person’s property, the liability portion of your homeowner’s insurance may kick in.

Standard home insurance typically has a minimum of $100,000 in liability coverage, but bodily injury claims can easily exceed this amount, especially if there is a lawsuit involved. If the liability cost is beyond your coverage limit, you will have to pay for the rest out of pocket.

Keep in mind, though, that liability insurance is for other people. Your policy will not provide coverage if your property is damaged or if the person involved is a member of your household. Also, if your dog has a history of dog bites or belongs to a restricted breed, it may not be covered by your policy.

You Should Always Disclose Pets And Breeds To Your Home Insurance Provider:

You will have to inform your insurance provider about having a pet and add it to your policy. Be honest with your insurer about having a dog (or any other pet, for that matter). Failure to divulge this information, intentionally or otherwise, will most likely end up with you being denied coverage in case of pet-related claims, even if it’s included in your policy.

Worse, suppose your insurance company discovers that you have an undisclosed pet during one of their random inspections. In that case, you may face policy cancellation and find it difficult to get favorable home insurance rates elsewhere.

Some insurance companies do not cover dogs and dog-related damage or have breed restrictions. If you’re planning to get a dog, talk to your insurance agent about it first and see how it impacts your home insurance coverage.

Owning A Dog May Affect Home Insurance Rates And Coverage:

In most cases, having a dog will not have any drastic effects on your home insurance rates, but there is a chance that your premium will go up. This is often the case if your dog falls under the insurance company’s breed list, which identifies dog breeds associated with higher bite risk.

Breed lists can vary from insurer to insurer. Some companies will cover just about any dog, some will require higher premiums, while others will refuse coverage altogether for specific breeds. The restrictions can vary based on where you live, your insurance company, and the type of coverage you have.

Many insurers won’t cover dog breeds that are deemed aggressive or dangerous. This usually includes:

●     Akitas

●     Alaskan malamutes

●     Chow chows

●     Doberman pinschers

●     German shepherds

●     Pitbulls

●     Rottweilers

●     Siberian huskies

●     Staffordshire bull terrier

●     Wolf hybrids

Some individuals decide not to disclose having a dog to avoid an increase in home insurance rates, but doing so will only put you at more financial risk should unforeseen incidents occur. On the contrary, pet owners should consider getting a higher liability coverage or umbrella liability insurance for good measure.

You May Purchase Additional Or Separate Insurance For Your Dog:

Are you planning to get a dog? It’s a good idea to review your home insurance policy first to see if it covers pets or includes any restrictions around the types and breeds of dogs that are covered.

If your home insurance company blacklists your dog, you can either find another insurer (one that does not discriminate by breed or does not restrict your dog’s breed) or buy a separate dog liability coverage.

Even if your current home insurance provider does not offer dog liability insurance, many others do. Get in touch with your home insurance agent to find out what pet coverage options are available to you.

 

About the Author:

Rachael Harper is the Content Marketing Strategist of Bennett & Porter, a wealth management and insurance firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona. When not writing, she makes use of her time reading books and playing bowling with her family and friends.