Dog-Friendly Homeowners Insurance Companies

Major home insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and USAA offer dog-friendly homeowners insurance, meaning dog-related incidents such as bites to guests or damaged property are covered. Some dog breeds, however, may not be covered.

Each home insurance provider has a unique approach to handling policies for dog owners, so it's advisable to contact them directly to understand the specific terms that apply to your situation, especially if you own a breed often subject to restrictions.

Most homeowners insurance providers cover dog-related incidents, but some companies exclude certain dog breeds that are considered more likely to bite or cause injury. The good thing is, some insurance companies don’t ask which dog breed is owned by the writing homeowner. The breed of a dog may influence its appearance, but it has no bearing on how the dog reacts to people or situations.

Homeowners insurance providers commonly restrict certain dog breeds, often due to perceptions about their aggression or likelihood to bite, such as Pit Bull Terriers or Rottweilers. These restrictions can vary by insurance company, but typically, 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

It's important to note that these restrictions are based on generalizations about breed behavior, and individual dogs within these breeds may be gentle and well-behaved. However, insurance companies often make policy decisions based on statistical risk assessments.

If you own any of these breeds, you should check with your insurance provider to understand specific breed restrictions and explore options like additional liability coverage or specialized policies if needed. Some insurers might not have breed restrictions but will consider the individual dog's history of aggression or claims.

Dog-related incidents covered by home insurance typically include dog bites and property damage caused by dogs, with liability coverage playing a key role in these situations. This coverage protects homeowners against financial losses if their dog injures someone or damages someone else's property. Generally, these incidents may include:

Dog-related claims are a significant concern in homeowners insurance. According to the Insurance Information Institute, in 2022, homeowners insurers paid $1,136 million in liability claims related to dog bites.

The number of dog bite claims decreased slightly to 17,597 in 2022, down from 17,989 in 2021, marking a 2.2% decrease. However, the average cost per claim saw a substantial increase of 31.7%, rising to $64,555 in 2022 from $49,025 in 2021. This increase in average cost per claim over the years can be attributed to higher medical costs and larger settlements, judgments and jury awards.

These statistics illustrate the financial impact of dog-related incidents on homeowners insurance and highlight the importance of understanding policy terms, especially for dog owners.

Homeowners insurance is a financial safety net that protects against various unforeseen events, but it may not cover every aspect of pet ownership. Regarding dog-related incidents, there are certain scenarios and liabilities that homeowners insurance typically excludes from its coverage. Here are specific instances and circumstances that homeowners insurance commonly does not address concerning dog-related incidents:

• Injuries to the Dog Owner or Household Members: Home insurance usually does not cover medical expenses if your dog injures you or someone living in your household.
• Damage to the Policyholder’s Property: If your dog damages your own home or personal property, this is generally not covered under home insurance.
• Incidents Involving Certain Breeds or Aggressive Dogs: Some insurance policies exclude specific breeds considered high-risk or dogs with a history of aggression.
• Commercial or Professional Use: Dogs used for business purposes, like guard dogs or those involved in a commercial breeding operation, are often excluded from standard home insurance coverage.
• Intentional Acts: Any damage or injury caused intentionally by your dog is not covered.
• Negligence: Incidents arising from the owner's negligence (such as not adhering to local leash laws) may be excluded.
• Pre-existing Conditions and Routine Care: Veterinary costs for your dog's pre-existing health conditions or routine care are not covered by home insurance.

Navigating homeowners insurance with a dog can be a complex task, and it often raises questions about coverage, breed restrictions and insurer policies. To shed light on important considerations for dog owners seeking the right insurance protection, we have addressed common queries regarding home insurance and dogs.