Best Homeowners Insurance for Dog Owners (2023)
Are you a dog owner in search of the best homeowners insurance? Look no further. Our expert resource is here to assist you in navigating the complex world of insurance coverage for dog owners. With our comprehensive information and guidance, you can make informed decisions to protect both your home and your beloved canine companion.
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Laura Walker
Former Licensed Agent
Laura Walker graduated college with a BS in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science. She married her husband and began working in the family insurance business in 2005. She became a licensed agent and wrote P&C business focusing on personal lines insurance for 10 years. Laura serviced existing business and wrote new business. She now uses her insurance background to help educate...
Former Licensed Agent
UPDATED: May 28, 2023
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Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: May 28, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Welcome to our comprehensive guide on finding the best homeowners insurance for dog owners. As a responsible pet owner, it’s essential to protect your home and your furry companion with the right insurance coverage.
In this article, we will delve into the key topics that are crucial for dog owners seeking insurance, including liability coverage, breed restrictions, and tailored policies. We’ll provide valuable insights and tips to help you navigate the insurance landscape and make informed decisions.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to ensure the safety and security of your home and beloved pet. Enter your zip code now to compare rates from the best insurance providers in your area and find the perfect coverage for your unique needs.
How important is homeowners insurance for dog owners?
Homeowners insurance is important for anyone who owns their own home, but homeowners insurance for pet owners is especially important in terms of liability coverage. Consider the following statistics concerning dog owners and homeowners insurance:
- Nearly 50 million households in the U.S. own at least one dog.
- More than 4.5 million people get bit by dogs annually, many of them requiring significant medical attention.
- The average cost of a dog-bite-related claim in 2018 was over $39,000.
- Breed outlawing is illegal in some states, but many insurance companies deny homeowners insurance to people with certain dog breeds considered dangerous.
If you own a dog, revisit your homeowners insurance policy to ensure your specific breed is covered. Contact your insurance company if you got a dog after purchasing your homeowners insurance policy.
Make sure your existing homeowners policy covers your dog. If it doesn’t, make the necessary policy adjustments, so you have coverage in the event of a dog-related incident.
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Why do some insurance companies ban certain dog breeds?
Dogs can cause problems for liability coverage in many ways. If a dog bites someone, jumps on someone, or aggressively runs toward a person resulting in their injury, you may have to file an expensive homeowners claim.
Many insurance companies banned some of the breeds responsible for most of these offenses to offset claims costs. If you have a breed that an insurance company bans, it will deny you coverage.
Not all insurance companies have strict rules about banned dog breeds — some take each policy application on a case-by-case basis to decide whether to offer coverage. However, you may pay higher-than-average rates for homeowners insurance because you are a dog owner.
What dog breeds are most often banned?
Many companies that have a ban list the same dog breeds. The breeds most often banned include:
- Pit bulls
- Doberman pinschers
- Rottweilers
- Chow Chows
- Wolf hybrids
- Presa Canarios
- Akitas
- German shepherds
- Huskies
Whether a homeowners insurance company bans your dog breed depends on a case-by-case basis. Some companies have long lists of dog breeds it refuses to insure, while others don’t have a list.
The table below shows dog bite statistics in the U.S. from the 1980s through 2014. These statistics often influence the conclusions certain insurance companies draw concerning safe vs. unsafe breeds.
Rank Breed of Dog Number of Attacks Annually
1 Pitbull 3397
2 Rottweiler 535
3 German shepherd 113
4 Bullmastiff (Presa Canario) 111
5 Wolf hybrid 85
6 Husky 83
7 Akita 70
8 Boxer 64
9 Chow 61
10 Labrador 56
11 Pitbull/Rott. mix 56
12 German shepherd mix 45
13 Pitbull/Lab mix 43
14 Great Dane 37
15 Pit bull boxer mix 35
16 Mastiff 28
17 Labrador mix 27
18 Doberman 23
19 Pit mix unknown 22
20 Cane Corso/Italian Mastiff 21
21 Blue heeler 20
22 Bulldog (English) 20
23 Rottweiler/GSD mix 18
24 Malamute 15
25 Pitbull/GSD mix 15
26 Australian blue heeler 13
27 Saint Bernard 12
28 Australian Shepherd 11
29 German shepherd/Lab mix 11
30 Golden retriever 11
While the table shows the dog breeds most often responsible for homeowners insurance claims at the top, many experts agree that breed discrimination is not an effective way to prevent dog bites or attacks.
Is homeowners insurance more expensive with a dog?
Homeowners insurance for dog owners may be more expensive than your area’s average home insurance premium, though rates vary based on several factors.
Some of the most common factors that impact a person’s homeowners insurance rates include:
- Location
- Home price
- Coverage amount
- Home’s age and condition
- Credit score
- Safety features
- Deductible
The table below shows the average annual homeowners insurance premium in each state.
State Average Annual Rates
Alabama $1,433
Alaska $959
Arizona $825
Arkansas $1,373
California $1,008
Colorado $1,495
Connecticut $1,479
Delaware $833
District of Columbia $1,235
Florida $1,951
Georgia $1,267
Hawaii $1,102
Idaho $730
Illinois $1,056
Indiana $1,000
Iowa $964
Kansas $1,584
Kentucky $1,109
Lousiana $1,968
Maine $882
Maryland $1,037
Massachusetts $1,488
Michigan $942
Minnesota $1,348
Mississippi $1,537
Missouri $1,285
Montana $1,174
Nebraska $1,481
Nevada $755
New Hampshire $972
New Jersey $1,192
New Mexico $1,017
New York $1,309
North Carolina $1,086
North Dakota $1,253
Ohio $862
Oklahoma $1,885
Oregon $677
Pennsylvania $931
Rhode Island $1,551
South Carolina $1,269
South Dakota $1,202
Tennessee $1,196
Texas $1,893
Utah $692
Vermont $918
Virginia $999
Washington $854
West Virginia $940
Wisconsin $779
Wyoming $1,156
Countrywide $1,211
While rates may be different from what the table lists for your state, the premiums above should give you a better idea of how much homeowners insurance may cost where you live.
If you are a dog owner, your rates may be higher than your state’s average when you get quotes from different companies. The best way to find cheap homeowners insurance rates when you own a dog is to compare quotes from companies in your area.
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How can dog owners find the best homeowners insurance?
To find the best insurance as a dog owner, you can consider the options listed below.
- Shop around for coverage from multiple insurance companies. You may find one company offers the coverage you want at a much lower price than competitors.
- Fence your dog in, and consider enrolling your dog in obedience or socialization classes. Some insurance companies will consider these extra precautions.
- Purchase a separate liability policy for your dog. A liability policy for your pet can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000 annually, but it may be worth it.
Though rates may be higher for dog owners, there are still ways to find the best homeowners insurance at a low price.
Homeowners Insurance for Dog Owners: The Bottom Line
Homeowners insurance is crucial for dog owners, as it provides the necessary liability coverage you need if your dog harms or injures someone. After purchasing a homeowners policy, you should inform your insurance company immediately if you get a dog.
Some companies refuse to offer homeowners insurance to individuals who own certain dog breeds. If you own a pit bull, Rottweiler, or Chow Chow, you may have a difficult time finding proper homeowners insurance.
You can shop for coverage with multiple companies to try and find some that cover your dog breed. Additionally, you can compare quotes to find the cheapest coverage in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is homeowners insurance important for dog owners?
Homeowners insurance is crucial for dog owners as it provides the necessary liability coverage you need if your dog harms or injures someone.
Why do some insurance companies ban certain dog breeds?
Many insurance companies ban certain dog breeds because these breeds have been responsible for a significant number of dog bites, and therefore, may pose a higher risk of liability for insurance companies.
What dog breeds are most often banned by insurance companies?
The breeds most often banned include Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, and German Shepherds.
Is homeowners insurance more expensive with a dog?
Homeowners insurance for dog owners may be more expensive than the average home insurance premium due to several factors such as the breed of dog, size of the dog, and history of dog bites.
How can dog owners find the best homeowners insurance?
Dog owners can find the best homeowners insurance by shopping around with multiple companies, comparing quotes, and considering factors such as the amount of coverage, deductible, and exclusions.
Should dog owners inform their insurance company if they get a dog?
Yes, dog owners should inform their insurance company immediately if they get a dog as some companies may refuse to offer homeowners insurance to individuals who own certain dog breeds.
Compare The Best Insurance Quotes In The Country
Compare quotes from the top insurance companies and save!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Laura Walker
Former Licensed Agent
Laura Walker graduated college with a BS in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science. She married her husband and began working in the family insurance business in 2005. She became a licensed agent and wrote P&C business focusing on personal lines insurance for 10 years. Laura serviced existing business and wrote new business. She now uses her insurance background to help educate...
Former Licensed Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.