You know your pup as a cute, cuddly part of the family, but if you own certain dog breeds, your insurance company may see them in a much different light. So, before you go to the pound to pick up your new family member, it’s good to know dog breeds not covered by homeowner’s insurance.
Dog Breeds Not Covered by Homeowner’s Insurance.
If you find that your insurance doesn’t cover your dog, you do have other options. You can add an umbrella policy to your homeowner’s insurance policy. Just ask your insurance company if they cover liability insurance.
As a homeowner, you want to make sure you are covered if your dog injuries someone on your property, so this is important.
So, let’s get into the restricted dog breeds list.
1. Pit Bulls
While the vast majority of pit bulls are super friendly and loving, they are powerful and agile animals that can tear through flesh and bone with ease. And their bite is something to remember because it makes their mouth look more like a clamp than a maw.
If you own this breed of dog, homeowner’s insurance may be unattainable or ridiculously expensive.
2. Rottweilers
This medium-large breed is often cited as one of the most aggressive dogs in the world, and statistics have proven that they’re no joke when it comes to physical fights among humans and other dogs.
3. Dobermans and Akitas
These breeds are more than capable of killing humans, and some have been known to attack people.
Insurance companies will see them as a threat if they bite someone, even accidentally.
4. Wolf-hybrids (Wolfhounds)
You will have a very hard time finding an insurance agency that will cover a wolf hybrid.
You might not even be able to find an umbrella policy for this breed.
5. Staffordshire Terriers
This breed also is difficult to insure even if yours is simply a loving, family pet with no history of aggression.
6. American Bulldogs
The same goes for this one. If you have a purebred American Bulldog do talk to your insurance agent to find out if they will cover your dog and what other options you may have if they won’t.
7. Chow Chows
Chow Chows are also on the high-risk list for most insurance companies. Be sure to ask your insurance agent about coverage if you want one of these dogs.
8. English Bull Terriers
This is another dog breed with a powerful jaw, so take care and make sure you have adequate insurance before bringing one home.
9. Alaskan Malamutes
The Alaskan Malamute is a powerful dog that while typically friendly and loving can bite without warning. Because of its size, it should be supervised when around young children.
Of course, most will be real sweethearts, but insurance companies don’t like taking the risk.
10. Saint Bernards
Due to the size of a Saint Bernard, it can be difficult to get insurance coverage. Check with your insurance provider to ensure you’re covered.
You may find it difficult to find insurance that will cover these breeds as well:
11. German Shepherds AND East-Asia Shepherd Dogs (Japanese Akitas)
12. Great Danes
13. Presa Canarios
You will also have difficulty getting insurance coverage for any dog that has a history of bitting.
What Type of Insurance Coverage Can You Get for These Dog Breeds?
If you really want to own one of these dog breeds, the best thing you can do is to make sure you have liability coverage on your homeowner’s policy. If your dog bites someone, the victim may try to sue you for damages.
Be careful though, most homeowner’s insurance has a cap of around $100,000 dollars worth of liability for a dog bite. While that sounds like a lot, it really isn’t.
Hospital bills can pile up quickly.
For example, my cousin had a dog that was a pit bull mix. It had never been violent with anyone. One day it got out of the gate and ran next door and attached their neighbor who was outside in his garden.
The dog did extensive damage to the man’s leg. He had to have multiple surgeries over a year’s time and he was off work for about four months.
They were responsible for all of those medical bills. If the man had wanted to sue, it would have been much worse. Their homeowner’s insurance wouldn’t have covered any amount over their $100k cap.
My cousin could have lost everything.
So, even if your dog is covered under your homeowner’s insurance, you might want to buy an additional liability policy as well if you own one or more of the breeds listed.
An Umbrella Policy
An Umbrella policy is a type of insurance that a homeowner’s agent can recommend when your regular insurance won’t cover an injury your dog may cause.
This type of coverage is designed to protect you from lawsuits.
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Look for a Dog-Friendly Insurance Company
Some insurance companies are more dog-friendly than others.
Be sure to talk to your agent about this before you pick an insurance company.
If you forget to mention that you have a dog before you get your policy, you could be in for a shock if your dog is on the restricted list and they bite someone.
Buy an Insurance Package
Insurance companies also offer packages that can include coverage for dog bites. This is the best option if your dog has already been placed on the “dangerous-dog” list or if it has bitten someone before.
Other Animals Not Covered By Homeowner’s Insurance
Of course, there are other animals that aren’t covered. Here is a list of the most common animals you won’t be able to obtain coverage to cover any damage they may cause.
- Monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, baboons, mandrills, orangutans
- Lions, tigers, bobcats, lynx, cougars, leopards, jaguars, ocelots, and panthers
- Wolves, coyotes, foxes, and jackals
- Bears
- Venomous snakes, constricting snakes, and carnivorous reptiles
- Alligators and crocodiles
- Anteaters, sloths, and armadillos
- Mongooses, civets, and genets
- Mink, ermine, weasels, sables, stoats, otters, badgers, wolverines, and skunks
- Piranha
- Ostriches and emus
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To Sum it All Up:
If you are buying a home and are looking for homeowner’s insurance, be sure to have a frank conversation with the agent about any pets you may have. They may not bring up the subject of dogs or other pets, so you need to. The last thing you want is to be in a position where your dog injures someone and you are suited for half a million dollars and you find out you aren’t covered.
