Is Your Dog Taking a Bite Out of Your Homeowners’ Insurance Premiums?

Dogs can be an expensive addition to the family. There’s the food, toys, grooming supplies, bedding, bowls and vet visits. Add in the costs of leashes, treats and even fencing and your furry friend can be quite the investment. But is it possible that your dog is also costing you higher homeowners’ insurance premiums?

Because a homeowners’ insurance company can at least be held partially responsible should a dog injure someone, some insurance companies have either chosen to deny coverage to or add a surcharge for homeowners who have what some consider to be aggressive breeds. Among breeds some consider aggressive are Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Siberian Huskies and some other breeds considered to be wolf/dog hybrids. In fact, just two states forbid insurance companies from dropping or canceling homeowners’ insurance policies because homeowners have a certain breed of dog. These states are Michigan and Pennsylvania.

So how big of a bite may your dog take out of your homeowners’ insurance premium? It is likely pretty modest, perhaps 2 or 3% of your total premium. The key is making sure your insurance company knows you have a dog and the type of breed it is. This ensures you will be adequately covered just in case Fido gets himself into trouble. Keeping dog ownership from your homeowners insurance company is never a good idea and may really come back to bite you.

Whether you have a dog or not, you certainly don’t want to overpay for your homeowners’ insurance. Our independent insurance agents have access to a variety of insurance companies. Our agents know which companies may and may not charge excessively if you have a dog. This allows them to “shop” on your behalf for sufficient coverage at a price you can be comfortable with. Before you make a decision on Fido, let us see what we can do. Contact us today for a homeowners insurance review and quote to make sure you are getting the most for your money!