Can an insurance deny coverage because you have a pit bull?

Answer 1

This depends on the company's underwriting rules. If they have a specific rule that states that they will not cover liability losses due to dog bites or dog bites from certain breeds, or if they surcharge for having those types of breeds and they were never informed that you had one, then they can deny a claim based on that. What is and is not covered is spelled out in your policy wordings. If they deny the claim then they should refer you to the specific area in the policy wording that they are basing their denial on.
Also the loss has to be related to the fact that you ahve a pit bull. If you had a fire loss and they deny your claim because they found out you have a pit bull (which has nothing to do with the fire loss), then this would be improper as the material change had nothing to do with the loss.

Answer 2

An insurance company will ask on a homeowners application if you have any pets/wild animals on your premises. If you answer yes it will then ask what kind of animal and if it's ever bitten anyone before. If the dog has ever bitten anyone the insurance company can either one exclude dog liability, or two raise your rates due to higher risk. You need to state on the application that you have a pit bull though because if you say no and then it bites someone the insurance company could technically deny coverage because you neglected to state it on the application.

Answer 3

If your talking about home insurance.. they can deny coverage. This is due to the fact that there is a risk of the dog causing injury to another person. Especially if its a pit bull, German shepherd.. doberman.. etc.. Some companies consider these type of dogs to be dangerous. You might want to talk to your insurance company, and see if they offer some sort of exclusion you can sign, so they will not be liable for any bodily injury your dog causes. Other companies might insure you as long as the dog has gone through some sort of domestic training course.

Answer 4

Yes they can and many do--but not all. If you need to find homeowner's or renters insurance and you own a breed that has been black listed, the article in this newsletter ("Is Your Homeowner's Insurance Putting You In The Dog House?") may help you. It mentions some companies that do not have a policy of denying or cancelling coverage based on breed (and some that do).
http://www.the-proper-pitbull.com/Bully_for_You-Bully-for-you-vol1.html

Good Luck

Answer 5

I don't know of ANY insurance companies that will give you personal liability coverage (automatic, on a homeowners or renters policy) if you have a pit bull, except Foremost - and THEY make you exclude dog bite liability.

So yes. They can, and they do.

Answer 6

It would have to depend on the type of insurance. I know some places that decline homeowners insurance because the family owns many dogs, especially trained attack dogs. Homeowners insurance also covers general liability, so if one of those dogs was to say, bite the neighbor or the postal worker, then they can be sued and the homeowners insurance would cover it.

I can see the legal liability exposure a pitbulls, so I can see that an insurance company would decline this.

Answer 7

yes, if owning a pit bull is prohibited by law , or if the insurance company can show that owning the dog is an increase in risk, or if the dog has had prior problems.
unfortunatly, an agressive dog has no defense when the insurer is more concerned about protection of it's assets.

Answer 8

You might check with Farmers or their subsidiary company Foremost. I am have heard they will provide Homeowners and mobile home coverage with a pit bull, in some states they will require an exclusion for the dog, and some states they will even provide liability. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

Homeowners or renters' insurance? Yes. They can also deny you if you have a Doberman, Rottweiler, or German Sheperd. Their reasoning is that "statistics show" that these dogs bite more than other breeds - even though EVERY dog owner knows that it's REALLY the little yappy rodents on leashes that bite more.

Answer 10

Many can. Check the specifics of your policy or call your agent. It is completely within their rights to deny you coverage if you own a dangerous animal. They can also deny you coverage if you have a pool w/o a lockable fence and numerous other things that they feel put them at increased risk of having to pay.