What You Need To Know About Dogs and Home Insurance

According to the APPA National Pet Owners Survey, at least 67% of U.S. households own a dog. This translates to a staggering 84.9 million homes! If you are part of the statistics, you likely treat your furry friend as part of the family. Unfortunately, insurance companies consider your canine companions a liability.

Apart from possibly causing damage to your home and properties, it is also likely that they can cause damage to the properties of others and may even harm other people nearby. This leaves you and your insurance company liable for any injuries or damages. That said, adding a pet to your home property insurance makes perfect sense.

However, the process is not as straightforward as you would like it to be. In some cases, you might need to change your coverage, depending on your insurance company and your current policy. In some instances, you can even be denied coverage based on your dog's breed. When it comes to dogs and home insurance, below are the basics you should keep in mind:

Dog Ownership: How It Can Affect Your Home Insurance

If you plan to purchase a house and have a dog, you will have to add your pet to the home insurance policy when you sign up for coverage. If you are planning to get a dog after you have bought a house, it is recommended that you review your home insurance coverage first so you can check if there are any restrictions around the kind of dogs that are covered.

It is also essential to keep in mind that the average cost of dog bites and other dog-related injuries is around $44, 760, with Florida and California leading in the number of claims. Typical dog bites liability expenses can range from $100,000 to $300,000. However, you will be responsible for claims that will exceed the amount covered.

How Your Dog's Breed Can Impact Your Insurance Cost

While unfortunate to note, some insurance companies won't cover certain breeds they deem dangerous or aggressive, including:

●      Pitbulls

●      Akitas

●      German shepherds

●      Rottweilers

●      Siberian huskies

●      Doberman pinschers

Restrictions can vary based on a few key factors, including the type of coverage you have, your insurance company, and where you live. However, some insurance providers put more weight on the dog's behavior and training and its history of aggression (or lack thereof) rather than its breed.

At least twenty-one states have implemented statewide bans on breed-specific legislation, while other counties and cities also have their own laws in place. If unsure if your home insurance policy covers your dog, you can either review your coverage or check with your insurance agent.

How to Reduce Dog-Related Home Insurance Costs: Top Tips

One surefire way to determine how much your dog can affect your home insurance cost would be to review the policy. If you already have a dog and you intend to buy a home, it is recommended that you check and compare various insurance policies to determine which ones will cover your beloved pet.

Regardless of the breed, it would be a good idea to ensure your dog is well trained and less likely to cause harm. You can achieve this by:

●      Keeping your dog's vaccination up-to-date

●      Socializing your dog early with humans and other dogs

●      Ensuring your dog is well trained

●      Keeping your dog leashed when out in the open

●      Limiting wrestling and other rough behaviors

What to Do If Your Insurance Policy Has Breed Restrictions

If your home insurance has a breed restriction, check with your agent what you need to do to ensure your dog is covered. Other options available at your disposal include:

Purchasing separate dog liability coverage: If your current policy does not have the coverage you need, you have the option to get a different policy that applies to specific incidents and breeds.

Increasing your liability coverage: You can keep your current policy and increase your liability limit to include your canine companion. However, expect that you will have to pay a higher premium.

Looking into umbrella liability insurance: This kind of policy increases the liability coverage to include the home's present limit and another one for your canine companion.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, your dog is a fantastic addition to your family. However, they can also be a big responsibility. Proactively discuss your home insurance coverage options with your agent, so any possible furry mishaps are covered.