Dog-Friendly Homeowners Insurance Companies

Most homeowners insurance providers cover dog-related incidents, but some companies exclude certain breeds considered more likely to bite or cause injury. State Farm, Allstate and USAA offer homeowners insurance without breed restrictions.

*Rates mentioned in the table are based on a sample homeowner's policy with $250,000 in dwelling coverage, $125,000 in personal property and $200,000 in personal liability with a $1,000 deductible.

Homeowners insurance covers dog-related incidents like injuries or damage your pet causes to others. This protection comes through two coverage types: personal liability coverage and medical payments to others coverage.

• Personal Liability Coverage: Pays legal fees, medical bills and property damage when your dog hurts someone or damages their belongings and you're held responsible.
• Medical Payments to Others Coverage: Covers medical expenses for someone injured by your dog, regardless of fault.

Homeowners insurance protects you financially when your dog causes harm to others or their property. Here's what your policy covers:

Homeowners insurance protects others from financial harm your dog causes—not your own expenses as a pet owner. Injuries to you or your household, damage to your belongings and certain high-risk scenarios fall outside standard coverage.

Homeowners insurance providers commonly restrict certain dog breeds due to perceptions about their aggression or likelihood to bite, such as Pit Bull Terriers or Rottweilers. These restrictions vary by insurance company, but the following breeds are among those most commonly restricted:

• Pit Bull Terriers
• Rottweilers
• German Shepherds
• Doberman Pinschers
• Staffordshire Terriers
• Alaskan Malamutes
• Siberian Huskies
• Chow Chows
• Great Danes
• Presa Canarios
• Akitas
• Wolf Hybrids

These restrictions are based on generalizations about breed behavior. Individual dogs within these breeds may be gentle and well-behaved, but insurance companies make policy decisions based on statistical risk assessments.

If you own one of these breeds, check with your insurer about specific restrictions and whether additional liability coverage or a specialized policy is available.

In many states, insurers can deny or cancel your homeowners policy if you own a breed they consider high risk. Several states have passed laws preventing breed-based discrimination. If you live in New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota or Nevada, your insurer can't deny or cancel coverage solely because of your dog's breed.

Insurers in these states may still act based on your dog's individual behavior, such as a history of aggression or prior bite claims. Outside these states, breed restrictions may still apply, so ask your insurer about its specific guidelines.

The biggest challenge dog owners encounter when shopping for homeowners insurance is navigating breed restrictions and hidden exclusions. Knowing how to evaluate insurers and what questions to ask can save you money and verify your dog is fully covered.

Owning a dog can raise your insurance costs, but you can lower your premium by reducing the risk insurers associate with your pet. Demonstrating that your dog is well-trained and your property is secure often leads to better rates.

• Invest in Obedience Training: Dogs with formal training or certifications, like the AKC Canine Good Citizen program, are viewed as lower risk. Insurers may reward responsible ownership with lower premiums.
• Keep Your Property Secure: Installing fences, gates or signage reduces the chance of incidents on your property. These measures show insurers you're taking steps to limit liability.
• Increase Your Liability Limits Strategically: Raising coverage can reduce overall financial exposure and sometimes stabilize premiums, positioning you as a proactive policyholder.
• Maintain a Clean Claims History: Avoiding unnecessary claims keeps your risk profile low. Insurers often offer better rates to policyholders with no prior dog-related incidents.
• Bundle Policies When Possible: Combining home and auto insurance with the same insurer can unlock discounts that offset the extra cost of owning a dog.

If your insurer refuses coverage due to your dog's breed or bite history, shop around for a more flexible provider. Carriers like State Farm, Allstate or USAA may still offer coverage, and an independent broker can connect you to niche insurers that specialize in dog-friendly policies.

If standard homeowners insurance isn't an option, a standalone canine liability policy or umbrella policy can cover high-risk situations. Documenting your dog's training, behavior assessments and vaccination history may also convince some insurers to reconsider.

Dog bites are a growing liability concern for homeowners insurers. According to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowners insurers paid $1.57 billion in dog bite liability claims in 2024. Claim volume rose 18.9% to 22,658 incidents, up from 19,062 in 2023, while the average cost per claim climbed 18.3% to $69,272, driven by higher medical costs and larger settlements and jury awards.

That $69,272 average matters when most homeowners policies default to $100,000 in personal liability coverage. A single median dog bite claim consumes roughly 70% of that limit before attorney fees or court costs. If a claim runs above average or results in a lawsuit, a standard policy falls short fast. Raising your liability limit or adding an umbrella policy isn't generic advice; it's a direct response to a $69,000 average claim that standard coverage wasn't built to handle.

Dog-friendly homeowners insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate and USAA provide coverage for dog-related incidents, including injuries and property damage, without imposing breed restrictions. Standard homeowners policies protect you through personal liability and medical payments coverage, but many insurers still limit coverage for certain breeds considered high risk.

Your own expenses aren't covered, like injuries to household members or damage to your property, along with exclusions for commercial use or negligence. In states like New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota and Nevada, insurers can't deny coverage solely based on breed, though your dog's individual behavior may still affect eligibility.

We've addressed common questions about home insurance and dogs to highlight important considerations for dog owners seeking the right insurance protection.

Why Trust MoneyGeek?

MoneyGeek reviewed data from Departments of Insurance in all 50 states and Quadrant Information Services to find the best homeowners insurance options for dog owners across the country.

Methodology

Our analysis combined rate data and policy insights from Quadrant Information Services and official state insurance databases.

Homeowner Profile

To compare companies fairly, we used a consistent sample profile with these characteristics:

• Good credit score (769 to 792)
• Home constructed in 2000
• Wood-frame construction
• Composite shingle roof

Homeowners Insurance Coverage Details

Unless noted otherwise, all quotes were based on these standard limits:

• $250,000 in dwelling coverage
• $125,000 in personal property coverage
• $200,000 in personal liability coverage
• $1,000 deductible

We also reviewed higher-value policies to identify which companies work best for expensive homes, increasing limits to $1 million in dwelling coverage, $500,000 in personal property coverage and $1 million in liability coverage.