Table of Content
Some umbrella insurance policies will cover liability for dog bites. But before you buy one for this purpose, confirm the umbrella policy covers dog-related injuries. This information is a helpful overview of homeowners coverage. Coverage may vary by state or product and this is not a full description of all coverages, exclusions, definitions or provisions that may apply.
However, if another animal causes damage to your home, go ahead and speak to that dog’s owners about their homeowner’s insurance. Just as your insurance should cover damage your dog does to someone else, so too should another dog owner’s insurance cover damage their pet causes to your home or family. There are many factors considered in calculating your homeowners insurance rates including the cost to rebuild, age of the home, construction type, and loss history. “Insurers do not discriminate against people of color and consumers of low or moderate means,” emphasizes Worters. Banned dog breed lists are based on insurance claims, she says. When Buchan filed her police report, she was told that the owner was “known to police” for raising vicious animals.
How can I lower my homeowners insurance rates?
Socialization and supervision help reduce dog bites, according to The Humane Society. If you have a restricted breed, your home insurer might drop you or suggest you get rid of the dog in order to keep coverage. In addition, Embrace offers a 10% multi-pet discount, as well as an additional 5% discount for military personnel. Customers can also reduce their deductible by $50 for every year they go without an insurance claim reimbursement.
If you’re among these numerous pet lovers, it’s important to make sure you and your pet are provided for in unexpected situations. Though there are many types of protection available, homeowners insurance dog breed restrictions can get in the way if you don’t research them carefully. Not all home insurance companies have official lists of restricted dog breeds. Many decide whether to cover a household with a problematic dog on a case-by-case basis.
BSL: Breed Specific Legislation
If you’re the owner of a pet that has seriously bitten someone, call animal control and contact your insurer. The APCIA’s Collins advises you to contact your home insurance company before bringing a dog home. If you face a loss of coverage because of your dog choice, “You can shop around for a different insurer or consider a different breed,” she suggests. “State Farm does not ask what breed or type of dog a person owns when writing policies,” says Heather Paul, a spokesperson for the nation’s largest home insurer, and the owner of two pit bulls. Dog advocates challenge the evidence behind BSL, which includes a now-aging study by the Centers for Disease Control that examined dog bites from 1979 through 2003.
They say the study was flawed by the random way in which data was collected, much of it from newspaper reports. In many instances, the animal’s breed couldn’t be identified if, in fact, it even named one. Umbrella policies are purchased to fill in the gaps from other liability policies and this can include damage from your dog – as with any policy, be sure to be very clear of any restriction upfront. Working with your AAA insurance agent is a good way to make sure your insurance needs are covered. You can also sign in to your AAA account to review your policies, deductibles, and coverage. Combining your auto and homeowners insurance with a multi-policy discount could also save you money.
Company
In addition to covering your house, most homeowners policies will cover other structures on your property, such as sheds, detached garages, and fences, if you build your policy correctly. PetPlace provides a state-by-state list of “banned species” laws. For example, Vermont “does not allow the exclusion of entire canine breeds.” Many other states have introduced similar legislation and home insurers are required to obey each state’s laws. The easiest way to lower the cost of your homeowners insurance is to increase your deductible.
Some take dog bite problems on a case by case in deciding whether to offer insurance to the owner. Owning one of these breeds doesn’t necessarily mean a homeowners insurance company will deny you coverage. Just know that if they ask about your dog’s breed, the price of your premium could be higher than someone who owns, say, a Labrador retriever. Some insurers might also decide to exclude your dog from your policy’s liability coverage, or ask you to sign a liability waiver.
Additional living expenses have a strict daily and maximum payout limit. Click through our slideshow to see the banned dogs and how often they're on banned lists. Other insurers don't have a "list" but will judge dogs on a case-by-case basis. Many insurers ban any dog that has been "aggressive" or has a history of biting. Finally, if you purchase pet insurance through AAA, you will also get access to Embrace’s 24/7 pet health line where you can get answers to questions related to your pet’s wellbeing.
The deductible is the amount that you'll pay for a claim before your insurance pays. Your insurance rate is determined by the amount of risk involved and the likelihood a claim will be filed on the home. To determine this, insurers look at your home's characteristics and location, such as how close the property is to a fire hydrant, to a coast, or brush. They also look at your history of claims and the history of claims for the property. Additional coverages you may want to consider, depending on your location and circumstances, include earthquake insurance, flood insurance, and personal umbrella insurance. Children ages 5 to 9 are most likely to get dog bites, and boys more likely than girls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dog bite claims dropped in 2020 to 16,991, but with an average cost per claim of $50,245. There’s a correlation between breeds and perceptions of who owns them, and in particular a strong correlation between pit bulls and the Black community. The groups suggest this influences the insurance companies’ choices of which breeds to exclude. Many major insurers’ filings specifically state that coverage won’t be provided to households where these dogs live. And they won’t renew a policy if the presence of a “vicious dog” is discovered in the home. The home insurers’ “banned breeds” lists are long and include dogs you’d expect, like Rottweilers, some you might not expect, like German Shepherds and rarer breeds like Alaskan Malamutes.
Once you have signed up for pet insurance through AAA, your pet is covered for life, as long as your premium is paid. Your pet's coverage won't be canceled or reduced based on its health status, age, or the claims you've filed. Legislation passed in Nevada prohibits the use of a dog's breed to deny coverage or charge higher premiums. Mark Sektnan, vice president of the American Property-Casualty Insurance Association, expressed concern. “If insurers are forced to insure those homeowners with an increased risk, whether that's a leaky roof, an inadequate stove or an aggressive dog, they must be able to charge an adequate rate," he said. The number of dog bite claims fluctuates each year, with a recent high in 2017 of 18,522 claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Review key definitions and terms you might come across while considering an insurance policy. We address these questions, plus more reasons to consider renters insurance. And “some dogs breeds are deliberately mislabeled to increase the possibility of adoption,” according to one study. BSL began in the 1980s in response to several fatal dog attacks, according to PetPlace, an information website. These laws equate the qualities of a dangerous dog with certain breeds, and ban or restrict them based on group, not on any offense the individual dog committed.
You should refer to your individual insurance policy for specific coverages. May 26, 2022 — There are also illegal breeds, leash laws, and dog bite laws to think … To fully protect your house, you’ll need homeowners insurance. Your homeowners insurance is included as part of your monthly mortgage payment if you have an escrow account. If you have not opened an escrow account with your lender, you must pay homeowners insurance bills directly to your insurance company.
Member Service Center
They “make no concession for therapy dogs, assistance dogs or search and rescue dogs,” notes PetPlace. If your home is newer or recently remodeled, you could qualify for our age of home discount. A dog is less likely to bite if spayed or neutered, according to The Humane Society. Visit my Contact Your Carrier page for contact phone numbers and links to pay your bill online. AAA allows its customers to create a customized Accident and Illness plan to fit their pet and budget and get up to 90% back on vet bills.
Log in to your account to view and manage your home policy details, review your coverage amounts, and enroll in paperless billing. Personal property coverage will help to replace your personal items such as clothing, furniture, appliances, electronics, and most of the other contents of your home if they're destroyed during a covered peril. The amount your personal property coverage will pay is limited as a percentage of your dwelling coverage. If you own expensive items such as fine jewelry, antiques, or artwork, you may want to get additional coverage to protect them. More tips on preventing dog bites are available from The Humane Society.
No comments:
Post a Comment