Pit Bull Dogs and Home Insurance

If you are a home owner with a pit bull dog, or are considering getting a pit bull, you may be aware that your pet could affect your home insurance. Here are some things to consider.

American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are some of the more popular breeds commonly referred to as pit bulls. Many home insurance companies consider these dogs as a potential liability risk because their owners are often held accountable by law if the dog injures a person. When you purchase a homeowners insurance policy, you receive a certain amount of liability coverage to help pay for lawsuits filed against you.

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According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites cost the property and casualty insurance industry about 7.2 million in 2005. Because insurers consider certain breeds of dog as a higher risk for a claim, they will often charge higher home insurance rates for pit bull owners.

However, the thing to realize is that each insurance company determines their rates and underwriting guidelines based on several factors that may be unique to that company. Thus rates -- as well as tolerance for accepting dogs -- can vary quite a bit from company to company. So whether you already own a pit bull, or are planning on getting one, you should get some comparison home insurance quotes. The Insurance Information Institute recommends getting at least three different quotes.

This is easy to do online by requesting quotes from different company Web sites. Or you may want to use an insurance comparison site. These sites don't represent one company. Instead, you only need to fill out one online quote form, then you get several different quotes back. These sites often use independent agents who will work to find you the lowest quotes.

To further lower your homeowner insurance costs, consider raising your deductible as well as taking advantage of any available discounts.

And finally, the Insurance Information Institute recommends being proactive in reducing your chances of dog bite liability. They recommend spaying or neutering your pet, learning how to maintain control of your dog and properly socializing him or her so they know how to act around other people and animals. Also, talk to a vet about ways to reduce aggressive behavior.

Pit Bull Dogs and Home Insurance

Compare home insurance quotes for dog owners

Justin Scott writes about insurance issues. Get up to 5 free home insurance quotes at the comparison site LowerYourInsurance.com. The site also features more information about home insurance and dogs.

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Dogs, Home Insurance And Your Liability

When it comes to home insurance, dog owners face the possibility of higher rates or even difficulty getting coverage from certain companies. If you own a dog and a home, here are some things to consider.

Dog owners are often held accountable by law when their pooch attacks someone. What's more, home insurance companies will often look at the fact that you have a dog, and the breed, in determining if they want to provide coverage and at what rate.

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The reason? In their minds, your dog increases your risk of being sued for liability. According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites cost the property and casualty insurance industry about 7.2 million in 2005. Increased risk means increased rates.

This may not always seem fair, but it's something that's not going away. After all, insurance companies want to be able to control their risks. So what can you do?

First, if already have home insurance and your current company has an issue with your dog, you should probably shop around. Every company is different in the way the look at dogs in underwriting. Depending on the breed, it just may not be an issue with other companies, or they may not increase your rate as much. Whether you have home insurance already, or are shopping for it, it's probably best to disclose the fact that you have a dog. When you shop, get at least three different comparison quotes since rates and policies on dogs vary so much between companies.

Also, when you get your pooch keep in mind some things you can do to reduce your liability. There are certain breeds that are considered more dangerous -- and thus more of a risk -- by insurance companies. You may want to check around before deciding on a breed.

Spaying or neutering, training and socializing and learning how to maintain control of your dog can also help. Check with your veterinarian about ways to reduce aggressive behavior.

Dogs, Home Insurance And Your Liability

Get several free comparison home insurance quotes, and learn more about home insurance and dogs at LowerYourInsurance.com. Justin Scott writes about insurance issues.

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Home Insurance And Your Rottweiler Dog

Your home insurance rates and overall costs could be affected by the type of dog you own. A Rottweiler is one of those dogs. Whether you already own a dog, or are looking to get one, here are some things to consider.

Rottweilers may get a bad rap -- especially the ones that make headlines because their owners did not train them properly. Of course, most Rottweiler owners do train their dogs properly and know how beautiful and sweet these animals can be.

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The reality is, however, that you could be liable for thousands of dollars in lawsuits and high insurance premiums if your dog bites someone. Dog bites cost property and casualty insurance industry about 7.2 million in 2005, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Because of this, home insurance companies take into consideration the type of dog you own when they make decisions on your rate -- or even if they want to provide coverage.

Other breeds of dogs that insurance companies may be concerned about are Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Huskies, Malamutes, Doberman Pinschers, Chows, Great Danes and Saint Bernards.

If you have home insurance and want to bring a new dog home, call your insurance agent or company and find out if they have any concerns.

If you're shopping for home insurance and you already have a dog, make sure to mention that fact to the agent or if it asks in an online home insurance quote form. Make sure to get at least three or more quotes from different home insurance companies for comparison, as rates and underwriting may vary quite a bit between each company.

Also, the Insurance Information Institute has some suggestions about helping reduce the chance that your dog might bite, including: spaying or neutering; training and socializing your dog; not playing aggressive games such as "tug-of-war"; and making sure you always maintain control of your dog.

Home Insurance And Your Rottweiler Dog

Get several free comparison home insurance quotes, and learn more about home insurance and dogs at LowerYourInsurance.com Justin Scott is a freelance writer.

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