Globalpaw.com Dog Forum » Our Dog Forum » The Global Paw - Off Topic Discussion

[kab819]

Does anyone have any experience with 'blacklisted breeds' (and I'm quoting my insurance rep here) on their homeowner's policy? My life seems to be a doggy soap opera this month! Our homeowner's insurance company is refusing to renew our policy based on the fact that during a phone call, my hubby mentioned that Vicky is part pitt. When the rep came out to take pics, he called me and said that they don't cover pitts, and she is definitely pitt. I tried explaining that she's a true mutt, found under a car in Philly, we (and the vets) truly don't know WHAT she is. But, here we are without homeowners insurance now. It would break my heart to give Vicky up... we found her totally emaciated (17 lbs full grown-healthy now, she's 37 lbs) and near death. We've had her about 3 years now, and she's part of the family. But, it's not going to help if we don't have a house!! I've tried a few companies, but most have what they call a 'blacklist' of dogs that they automatically turn you down for if you own. Of course, the first on the list is pitbulls. They'll reinstate us immediately if we get rid of her. Finding her a home will NOT be easy- she's a high maintenance dog. Very needy, separation anxiety, high-strung, nervous, shakes, barks at everything... any shelter would put her down rather than risk adopting her out.
Anyone know of insurance companies that DON'T discriminate? Or that don't ask too many questions??
Kelly (and the rest of the crew)

[Sayuri]

There are (supposedly) a few insurance companies that don't discriminate - I've seen them discussed online at other forums and I'll see if I can find their names again. Also - check www.americankennelclub.org I believe somewhere on this site is a list of insurance companies that don't discriminate.

[Sayuri]

Alright - here's the first thing I found
http://www.akc.org/insurance/homeowners_inscenter.cfm

I haven't read it through yet, so I don't know if it will be of any use to you, but it's a start.

[Sayuri]

Ok - according to the site I gave you above:
State farm does not blacklist but will ask that you give up a dog that has a bite history.

Prudential doesn't discriminate but this may depend on the state you live in.

Mercury Casualty Company (I've never heard of this) offers a ten percent discount to "dogless" families, or those that are willing to take the dog off of the policy.

Farmers Insurance Group will ask you if there is a vicious animal on property and will exclude that dog from coverage. They also refuse to accept business from people that have had a dog bite claim in the last three years, even if they no longer own the dog.

The list was made in 2002, and as the site says, it might be inaccurate by now and is not comprehensive, so this is definitely going to be a bit of a research project. Still, this is a beginning. I highly recommend reading the rest of the articles on this site - they have some good ideas about how to fight such discriminatory practices.

Again - best of luck to you and Vicky.

[kab819]

I know for sure I've already tried either Prudential or State Farm (can't remember which!!), but I will call Farmer's on Monday!! I did some reading on the AKC site, and apparently PA (where we are) does not allow breed discrimination... so I'll also be calling the state insurance comissioner on Monday. Being insurance-less with 5 dogs in the house, and nurses visiting daily (to help care for my son) makes me nervous!!
Hmmm... think I'll quote my new keychain. "Is it too much to ask for a NORMAL life???"

Kelly

[linnie]

what a strange problem. I never even thought about insurance problems because of owning a dog.
My insurances dont cover my dogs ruining anything. Is this like public liability insurance?
No one would ever make me give up a dog for insurance reasons. Hope someone can helkp you with your problem. Maybe putting exclusions on policy could help???

[DarknessDivine]

http://globalpaw.com/showthread.php?t=2812

[Pharlane]

Originally Posted by kab819

Does anyone have any experience with 'blacklisted breeds' (and I'm quoting my insurance rep here) on their homeowner's policy? My life seems to be a doggy soap opera this month! Our homeowner's insurance company is refusing to renew our policy based on the fact that during a phone call, my hubby mentioned that Vicky is part pitt. When the rep came out to take pics, he called me and said that they don't cover pitts, and she is definitely pitt. I tried explaining that she's a true mutt, found under a car in Philly, we (and the vets) truly don't know WHAT she is. But, here we are without homeowners insurance now. It would break my heart to give Vicky up... we found her totally emaciated (17 lbs full grown-healthy now, she's 37 lbs) and near death. We've had her about 3 years now, and she's part of the family. But, it's not going to help if we don't have a house!! I've tried a few companies, but most have what they call a 'blacklist' of dogs that they automatically turn you down for if you own. Of course, the first on the list is pitbulls. They'll reinstate us immediately if we get rid of her. Finding her a home will NOT be easy- she's a high maintenance dog. Very needy, separation anxiety, high-strung, nervous, shakes, barks at everything... any shelter would put her down rather than risk adopting her out.
Anyone know of insurance companies that DON'T discriminate? Or that don't ask too many questions??
Kelly (and the rest of the crew)

I would not give up any of my dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BXRchic]

Okay... now this is just a thought and you may have already thought of it, but I'll post it anyhow....

If you are familiar with Obedience Classes/Testings for dogs, a typical Obedience 2 class covers what is called the Canine Good Citizen's testing (or "CGC" which is an actual AKC organized test).
Some insurance companies will allow for an "exception" if your dog has the CGC under his/her belt. Another thing that this is good for is for hotel accomodations, hotels are much more willing to allow dogs if they have their CGC as well (you'll find that a lot of exceptions are made if your dog has this testing.

Another good thing about it, if you dog takes the CGC test and passes, then she's eligable to be a Therapy Dog (which if you inform your insurance of this, it might be pretty tough to say "oh she's a big bad pit bull!" Which is assinine anyway).

I know that that's a long way to go for something, but there's lots of other benefits with this testing too!

Good luck and I hope it all works out!

[Sayuri]

I'm sorry those other two companies didn't work out - the information must be outdated. I think BXRchic is right on with her suggestion of CGC - definitely look into it.

[G3Shepherds]

So have you tried American Family Ins?......thats who we have, and they've never failed to cover us, on anything.........
Year's ago with our 1st female shepherd - decided to take after the neighbor's little dog........and took a sizeable bite out of her bottom.........The guy came back with a very large vet bill, $450.00 worth of vet bill :shiver: , so dang........... I just called our agent, and he took care of it..........I really don't recall being asked what kind of dog's we had.......mmm, maybe they did ask, but never seemed to bother them in the least........So you might wanna try contacting them.......

[mulroony]

You def. need homeowers insurance if you are going to have a dog on the property, or five. I had to do a lot of research on IL insurance laws and stuff like that, and trust me if your dog were to bite a person, much higher medical bills then animals, you could lose everything. A trip just to the emergency room, and an ambulance ride could run $3,000+ easily.

It is worth your money to pay a little more, and make sure you have the coverage. (Esp. in your case where it sounds like you take in some skitish dogs who can be a little unpredictable, which I comend you for) It is also helpful to know ALL the laws for your state about dog bites. There are a lot of good sites out there where you can easily get this info in an easy to understand text. Usually they are for the other side, people that get bit, but the info is still there.

My landlord was giving us the run around about our dogs because he did not know our states laws about landlord liability. I researched a bunch of them, and in all cases in IL, there was no leagal precident for blaming a landlord when it is a rentie's dog. (Even if the dog is know to be vicious) When he saw all this he droped the issue, and it has not come up since. Also look up the rules, and legal precident, in your state about dog bites on your property. These might be your best arguement against thier claims.

The CGC is a good idea too. I am taking Shelby and Jackson to get thier's because of a situation with Jackson jumping on, not biting, a guy who entered our property and would not leave. The guy would have been at fault (trespassing) and Jackson not blamed, but that little test could go a LONG way in a court if it came to that.

[theGOOCH]

As stated above, State farm doesn't discriminate based on breed, but won't cover a dog with a bite history.

[Carrie]

I totally agree about getting a CGC certificate and maybe even go onto therapy dog. That's part of why I'm doing it....I would anyhow, but it's just an all around good thing.

I have some small, local company (I think) and they just asked about bite history. But I have heard good things about State Farm.

[Nala]

ya we had a problem like that too. they came out to check up on things before renewing it and seen my dog they knew it was part pit and canceled our policy. since we were buying and still paying it was required that we had insurance, we called atleast 6 or 7 companys but none would except us. (Some would but they wanted to skyrocket our rates) it came close to us having to get rid of her. so we finally bought a plan and didnt say anything about having her and they never found out. its messed up how they can not accept you just because you have a dog thats just part pit. some people have had them for years and years and some are forced to get rid of them just because they cant afford or cant find a insurance company. i live in sacramento and ive herad talk that there trying to outlaw pits here. there already outlawed in LA i think so were prob not far off.