Pet Insurance
Your home insurance policy covers your home’s
structure, your possessions, and liability against injury
for guests in your home. But what about pets? The costs of dog litigation are escalating every year.
In 2002, the Insurance Information Institute reported more
than $1 billion a year in dog bite litigation. With such a
potential for legal action, you want to take every possible
step to protect yourself and your pet.
Forty percent of American households own dogs. Of the dogs dwelling in those homes, the vast majority present no problem for homeowner policy holders. While some insurance companies refuse to insure certain breeds (usually pit bulls, rottweilers, wolf hybrids, huskies, Dalmatians, Airedales, and Great Danes), most companies don’t discriminate based on the breed alone.
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The greatest factor in your dog’s potential to affect your insurance premiums is his past history. Has your pet been trained to fight? If so, you’ll have a difficult time getting insurance for him. Your insurance company will also want to know about any history of biting. If he’s bitten in the past, have you taken any measures (pet training classes, etc.) to prevent him from doing so again?
You can take proactive measures to protect yourself and your pet. Have your pet professionally trained, and get documentation from the trainer. Consider having your pet neutered (or spayed), a measure that can minimize behavioral problems. And keep your pet properly secured on your property, and supervised around strangers.
If you’ve taken these measures and your insurance company still refuses to cover your pet on your home insurance policy, consider getting your primary home insurance from one company and pet liability coverage (at additional cost) from a specialty firm. Your insurance agent can refer you to an appropriate source.
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