Does anyone else think this is stupid? We have a Staffordshire Terrier, which is a very large breed pitbull, and our homeowners insurance said we have to get rid of him or they will cancel our policy! They said he is on a list of unnacceptable breeds of dogs. Yes, they do have a bad rap to being biters, but that's like saying, "No, you can't adopt that Iraqi chid because it might grow up and someday be a terrorist." And all dogs will bite. There are reported cases of labs killing people, along with all those other "people-friendly" dogs. I think it is stupid that they are being breed specific. They should base it on the individual dog.
2006-09-11 08:36:51 · 17 answers · asked by Angel F 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
To everyone that answered, thanks. We tried telling them it was a mixed breed, but they insisted on coming up to take pics just "for the record". His mom agreed to take the dog, and she only lives a few blocks away. This is the first house we ever bought, and we had no idea about this stupid rule, and we didn't need to fill out an application for them. When they came to do a home inspection, though, a rude neighbor yelled up over the street: "hey, be careful! they have a pitbull!" the sad thing is, the guy knew that the dog wasn't harmful at all, he WAS, and i emphasize that, a friend of my fiance's.
2006-09-12 14:13:22 · update #1
Unfortunately, this is very common and I hear about it all of the time. This action by teh insurance companies is bringing about BSL (breed specific legislation) that will further the "discrimination" of dogs to a basis that you might no tbe able to live in a certain county with your breed of dog. It is terrible, and I feel for you. Your breed is not a bad breed at all - actually a quite loving one - but bad breeders and owners have nade a very difficult path for them.
In light of your problem though - as I said I have heard of this quite often, but there are insurance companies out there that do not have these kinds of requirements. It might take a little detective work, but they are out there.
Good luck to you.
2006-09-11 08:43:20 · answer #1 · answered by Angel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah I think it's stupid. You need to look for new insurance fast before your insurance company cancels you. You can just tell the new insurance you were looking for a better rate. When you apply they should tell you if there are breeds of dogs they wont' allow under their insurance. If there's not, your good to go. If your other insurance cancel's you, you'll have to explain to a new agent and they may not insure you after you explain. If you get new insurance, then just go back and cancel your old. Also, has your dog bitten anyone, has their been a claim? That could be part of the problem too.
2006-09-11 08:41:06 · answer #2 · answered by Kathleen M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The insurance companies only exist to make money, and all rates are based on statistics..the bully breeds have the statistics to cause insurance companies to consider them an unsafe risk, so they won't insure them..This means that insuance comapnies have paid out more damages on these breeds than the breeds that are not on their unsafe list..
You CAN find insurance companies that will insure homeonwrs with any breed.. when filling out the papers, always state the dog breed as a medium sized mix of unknown parentage..
2006-09-11 08:56:36 · answer #3 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Insurance companies are in business to make money.My dogs are German Shorthair Pointers but when I got house insurance they kept getting them confused(don't ask me how) with German Shepards. I finally had to send them pictures before they got the idea.
Do some research. Find the insurance company that best fits your needs and go with them.
Unfortunately, certain breeds have a bad reputation wheather through bad breeding, bad handlers, bad owners, bad publicity or all of the above and, we who love dogs and know the breeds must pay the consequence for stupidity and greed.
2006-09-11 13:51:10 · answer #4 · answered by Texas GSPS 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Statistically, certain breeds of dogs are more violent than others.
Insurance groups have certain rules. If you have health problems that they may potentially have to pay on they won't insure you. If you live in a flood area they will not insure you in less you pay for flood insurance. So it stands to reason if statistically that particular dog is a risk that they will not insure you. It is not good business to put your business at risk and so they can make the rules since insurance is a business.
You can opt not to go with that company
2006-09-11 08:42:53 · answer #5 · answered by rltouhe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you did put the breed down on your application for a policy. It is their policy not to cover anyone who has certain breeds, because of the high rate of incidents. I agree that it doesn't seem fair, but that is how thing are. Any breed of dog can be dangerous but insurance companies don't see it the way you and I do. I'm not telling you to fib about this to them............but........................
2006-09-11 08:44:09 · answer #6 · answered by skyeblue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is stupid and they are making descisions on broad generalizations of specific breeds...all insurance companoes have the same list of breeds and some will let you keep the dog but will charge you high risk rates.The dog list is just the tip of the insurance iceberg...my wife works in insurance and they have lists on tons of stuff..you would be appaled if you knew. Insurance companies with their high paid actuaries dictate a lot of areas of life you dont even realize...it's sad...and the ins co. just keeps getting richer
2006-09-11 08:48:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to find new insurance but remember that your policy can be canceled at any time (back to the inception date) for material misrepresentation. This means don't lie. Don't tell them you have a medium sized mixed breed unless you really do have a medium sized mixed breed.
2006-09-11 10:47:01 · answer #8 · answered by Bianca 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that it is stupid and prejudiced. I would've just told them I had a mutt and you didn't know what breed he was. So what if he is 99.9% Staffordshire. He's .01% poodle!
Unfortunately they CAN cancel you at their discretion. It sucks. Sorry to hear about your predicament. Check with some other insurance companies. Tell them you have a mutt though!
2006-09-11 08:49:08 · answer #9 · answered by msnite1969 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a very stupid rule...that results in many great, well-behaved dogs being surrendered. There are however many people that shouldn't have "aggressive" dogs...maybe the policy should be conditional on certain training for the dog and the owner.
2006-09-11 08:41:18 · answer #10 · answered by talented mrs v 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋