Does homeowners insurance cover my dog?
Dogs are often treated like a member of the family. As “man’s best friend,” they provide comfort, companionship and love.
Unfortunately, no matter how well-trained or loving your dog may be, it’s possibly for an accident like a dog bite or other dog-related damages to occur.
As the dog owner you have “assumptive liability,” which means if your dog causes harm to someone or something you are 100% responsible and must cover the damages.
Are dog owners covered for any incidents or damages their dog may cause?
Including dogs in your homeowners insurance is possible and important because of the risk that dogs pose. However, not all insurance companies may cover dogs and some may deny coverage for specific breeds so it takes a little extra research when looking for insurance providers.
Spending the extra time to ensure your dog is covered in your homeowners insurance is necessary because if your dog isn’t covered, you will have to pay for future dog-related damages out of your own pocket.
How do I know if my homeowners insurance will cover my dog or not?
One thing to note when searching for insurance companies is some companies will not insure dogs breeds that tends to be more aggressive or territorial. To be sure, ask your agent if they have any breed restrictions.
Here is a list of dogs that most insurance companies will not insure:
- Akitas
- Doberman Pinschers
- German Shepherds
- Great Danes
- Pit Bulls & Staffordshire Terriers
- Presa Canarios
- Rottweilers
- Siberian Huskies
- Wolf-hybrids
- What if I don’t tell my insurance company about my dog?
Some homeowners may hide the breed of their dog from their insurance agent out of fear the agent will deny them coverage. While this may seem like a good idea, if there is an accident your insurance company may deny you any claims because you weren’t up-front about your dog’s breed; meaning you will be stuck with the cost of any damages or lawsuits related to the incident.
Avoid this potentially expensive situation by being upfront with your insurance company. If one company will not cover your dog, there will be another insurance company that can offer the complete homeowners insurance coverage you are looking for.
Add “man’s best friend” to your homeowners insurance
Dogs of all shapes and sizes can be the perfect companion, however, no matter how loving or well-trained your dog is, they still come with risks. Always tell your insurance agent what kind of dog you have and double-check that your dog is covered in your homeowners insurance policy. If your current insurance provider will not cover your dog, then keep looking for another company that will cover your beloved pet.
Including your dog in your homeowner insurance policy protects you, your pocket book and ensures coverage of any future dog-related accidents.
