The personal liability section of your homeowners insurance policy covers legal and medical expenses if your dog bites a guest or damages their personal belongings while at your home. However, some insurance companies won’t cover larger breeds or those that have a reputation for being dangerous since the risk of injury is higher.
If your insurance company won’t cover your dog, shop around and compare coverage with multiple companies. Several insurers offered by policycentral — including AIG, Chubb, Hippo, and Encompass— accept even the most dangerous dog breeds. You also have the option of pet liability insurance, which is a specialized policy that covers injury or damage caused by any kind of dog.
Which dog breeds will homeowners insurance not cover?
Certain dog breeds are categorized as “dangerous” because they’re responsible for a high number of dog bite claims. To minimize the chances of having to pay out expensive liability claims, some insurance companies exclude certain breeds from coverage. Your insurer may also raise your premium if you own a certain breed or refuse to cover your home altogether.
12 dog breeds excluded from homeowners insurance:
These are the most commonly excluded dog breeds according to policycentral insurance experts:
Akitas
Alaskan Malamutes
Any wolf breeds
Chow chows
Doberman pinschers
German shepherds
Great Danes
Presa Canarios
Rottweilers
Siberian huskies
Staffordshire terriers
In general, muscular dogs with thick chests are most commonly excluded from coverage, as are wolf breeds. If your dog is excluded from coverage, look for a dog-friendly home insurance company— some insurers will cover dogs of any breed provided they don't have a history of biting. You can also consider supplemental liability protection.
When are dogs never covered by homeowners insurance?
Along with breed restrictions, some insurers also won’t cover dogs with a history of biting or damaging property.
History of biting
If your pup has a history of biting, it may be excluded from your policy or you may need to sign a liability waiver for dog bites. This means your insurer won’t cover any medical or legal bills that ensue from your dog biting someone on your property. In some cases, you may be denied a homeowners insurance policy altogether.
Damage to your home, other structures, or personal property
If your dog causes damage to your home or personal belongings, the loss may not be covered by your homeowners insurance. That means if your dog chews through your drywall or a piece of furniture, you may not be reimbursed for the damage.
If your dog bites or injures you
Personal liability coverage only covers injury to someone else, not you. That means if your dog bites you and you need to go to the hospital, you wouldn’t be able to file a homeowners insurance claim.
8 dog-friendly insurance companies
While the specifics of coverage can vary by state, there are several companies that are known to cover dangerous dog breeds depending on where you live and your claims history. This includes:
Should I get pet liability insurance?
Pet liability insurance is a specialized policy that covers all dog breeds for most kinds of injuries or damage. Pet liability insurance also covers your dog’s care, including physical exams and vaccinations. You may be able to add it as an endorsement on your current home insurance policy or purchase it as a separate policy. Pet liability insurance is a good option if you can’t find an insurance company to include your dog in coverage.
