I just received a dog as a present from my girlfriend. Wil my renters insurance provide protection for it?

Most renter's insurance policies will not cover pets without purchasing a special rider. The primary reason for this is because pets have the potential to cause a great of damage to a property and its contents, and insurance companies perceive this as an increased risk that must be covered. Even the gentlest of dogs has the potential to soil a carpet or gnaw on a table leg, so a pet rider is probably good idea to have.

Pet riders are inexpensive supplemental insurance policies that are added to your renter's insurance policy. The cost of the rider will depend on the details of the dog, your insurance history and the details of your existing policy. Compared to the cost of replacing the blinds in an average apartment, pet insurance for your dog can save you a lot of money.

Some breeds of dogs are banned from coverage completely. Dangerous dog breeds are seen as too much of a risk. These breeds include pit bulls, Doberman Pincers, and Rottweilers, to name only a few of the breeds listed. For these breeds, the infamy of bad-spirited dogs has biased the insurance community, and the risk of high injury and civil claims is more than they are willing to accept.

Contact your insurance agent and find out what adding a pet rider will require. If your current insurer is not willing to cover your new pet, you can use this website to get other renters insurance quotes that include your dog, and even compare those prices with several leading competitors. You can insure your pet and home together, but you may have to change insurance companies to do so.