Pitbulls And Homeowners Insurance
The insurance companies are refusing to cover dog bite incidents and other dog-related damage and injuries because of the extravagant insurance claims of certain breeds. Some of the companies have super strict ban policies, so it is up to the owners to decide on the coverage they want.
Dog Bite Insurance Claims
This year, there have been a number of attacks on humans by dogs, which has led to bad injuries or even fatalities. In half of these cases, the victim is a child. This is an alarming trend that needs to be addressed.
In 2020-2021 alone, there were 4.5 million dog bite incidents in the U.S, 42% of those incidents were pitbull related, and out of the 408 dog bite-related fatalities, 284 or 66% fatalities were due to Pitbulls, this makes them a particularly dangerous breed, the average claim for dog bite-related incidents is ~$45000, which has to be paid by the home insurance provider. They also have to provide for other dog-related injuries and property damage.
Insurance companies are refusing to insure homeowners with pitbulls, even if the dog has been cleared by a canine behavior report. Recently, some insurance companies have started accepting canine behavior reports in order to determine whether or not a dog should be insured. This is not a compulsory practice and in some states, like Texas, almost all insurance providers have blanket bans on pitbulls. ..
BSL: Breed Specific Legislation
Breed Specific Legislation, also known as BSL, is a law that bans or restricts certain dog breeds without taking into consideration the individual characteristics of the dog. Many dog advocates have argued that BSL is unfair because there are no exceptions in place for assistance dogs, search and rescue dogs, or therapy dogs. ..
The Future Of Pitbulls
Pit bulls are severely impacted by state and local legislation, as well as limits imposed by house insurers. According to the dog activists’ analysis, an insurer’s reluctance to underwrite coverage for families with these dogs, as well as discriminatory BSL legislation, will result in their “abandonment or relinquishment to a shelter”.
According to the ASPCA, more than one and a half million dogs and cats are euthanized each year. Pit bulls account for a huge proportion of them, at least Four Hundred Thousand.
Advice For Pitbull Owners
According to dog advocacy groups, some insurers exclude particular dog types, while others allow wiggle room for pets already in the home, and still, others will just disregard the matter for wealthy clients who bring in good business. Others, such as State Farm, allow all dogs as long as they don’t have a “bite history.” The APCIA recommends contacting your homeowner’s insurance company before bringing a dog home. “You can look around for a different insurance or explore a different breed if you lose coverage due to your dog decision,” they recommend.
Insurance Information Institute recommends getting a personal umbrella insurance policy to cover legal fees in the event of a dog bite. Typical liability coverage ranges from $100,000 to $300,000 and can go up to $1 million. ..
A list of “banned species” is available on PetPlace. Breed bans are not permitted in some states. Vermont, for instance, does not allow for bans on entire canine species but instead requires insurers to act on a case-by-case basis. Many other states have passed similar legislation, and home insurers must follow each state’s rules.
