Has anyone heard of your homeowner's insurance going up if you own a pittbull?

Question

I rescued a female pittbull, not knowing she was pregnant. I am now trying to find good homes for them so I posted a notice on a yahoo group site and was contacted by a member who asked me if I was aware that anyone who adopted a puppy would have a higher home owners insurance rate. Has anyone heard of this?

Answer 1

Yep sure have! German Shephards, Rotts and Chows are also in this group. I own a chow and German Shepherd and was told by my insurance that I would have to get rid of the dogs or pay higher due to liability! Of course I didn't get rid of my pups just told them I did.

Answer 2

Yup! Lots of insurance companies are dropping policies because of what they consider "In home liabilities". A dog that they think is a risk to bite or be aggressive can be a reason to raise rates or drop a policy. They put Staff Terriers (including "Pit Bulls"), Dobermans, Rottweilers, etc. all in the same class... dangerous to keep. Even if you have the sweetest, most obedient dog you've ever seen... they are "breed phobic".
But don't give up looking for good homes for your pups. Make sure they will go to an owner that will socialize, train and love them. A dedicated owner will negotiate and work with any issues that come up.

Answer 3

This is not true for all insurance carriers, and in all locations.

As a pit owner, I did get some grief from one insurance company, but I did not have any issues with the other 3 I called.

When I asked the company that did give me problems why, they said it was a 'large dog' increase, and that it was NOT pitbull specific.

But i'm in NJ, and breed specific legislation is illegal here... Your state may be different.

Regardless, call a few places, act like a new homeowner, and see what they say...

Answer 4

Yes, that is common if you own a pit bull, chow chow, german shepherd, or any other dog breed that they have on their "aggressive or possibly dangerous" list.

Another thing to watch for is home owners associations (HOAs). Some HOAs ban members from having certain dog breeds (or they may limit the number of pets as well; the city may allow you to have 3 dogs, but your HOA may say you can only have 2).

Answer 5

Yes, unfortunately, it does go up considerably. Some insurance companies even refuse to insure people who own pit bulls and rotties. The company I'm with charges 35 percent more than normal rates.

Answer 6

Most insurance companies won't cover you if you have a pitbull (it's classified as a "dangerous animal", as opposed to a regular dog). I have heard State Farm will.

Answer 7

Yes, definately. Your insurance will go up as you now have to be insured if your dog gets out of your house or yard and bites someone and they sue. Depending on the breed of the dog (pitbulls being thought of as a more dangerous, violent breed), your insurance will go up higher.

Answer 8

That is the case, cities around the US are passing breed specific legislation banning and encumbering our rights as pet owners. Some are even requiring us to pay outrageous licensing fees & additional insurance policies to keep our dogs. It's politics at it's worse!!!

BAN THE DEED NOT THE BREED!!!!!!

Answer 9

Don't post a "Beware of Dog" sign. That is saying that you know the dog is dangerous is can cause you a lawsuit if someone does get hurt. My ins. agent told me that. We had Dobermans and it didn't effect our insurance that I am aware of. However, wouldn't that be a safeguard against break ins??

Answer 10

yes i have and some companies are refusing to insure at all if you own a pit bull or any other dog that is deemed dangerous . I know my friend has one and her husband wants her to give it away because they cannot get coverage where we live or if they do it is so high they cannot afford it . good luck .