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| homeowners insurance that accepts Pitbulls |
Homeowners' insurance policies cover damage and injuries caused by pets, but providers may refuse you a policy or increase your rates depending on the breed of your dog. No matter how harmless your pitbull is, insurance companies can view your best friend as a liability issue. This article covers:
- How Pit Bulls Affect Your Home Insurance Rates
- Friendly Pit Bull Insurance Providers
- How to prove the good behavior of your pet
- Reduce the risk of liability for your pitbull
- Pit Bull insurance and umbrella policies
How Owning a Pit Bull Affects Your Owners' Insurance Rates
Owning a pit bull can raise your rates because home insurance providers consider your pet to be a liability risk. While all breeds of dogs can bite under the right circumstances, larger breeds have the physical capacity to cause more damage. This makes them more responsive to insurance companies.
Insurers know that even breeds that are traditionally considered aggressive can be loved by pets. However, it is feared that your dog will behave erratically.
Home insurance policies include a liability section, which covers the costs of bodily injury and property damage if you are found liable. For example, if your pit bull bites someone during a walk or tears up your neighbor's flowerbed, personal liability insurance can cover the damage. Because of this share of responsibility, your pit bull may increase your police rates or prevent you from having police altogether.
Our research on dog bites and insurance claims shows how devastating a dog bite can be. The average cost of a dog bite claim in the United States was $ 36,000 in 2018, which represents more than $ 673 million in claims. The severity of dog bites also varies from state to state, which can affect the amount of liability protection you need.
Many suppliers restrict larger and stronger breeds such as pit bulls, German shepherds and rottweilers, due to their potential bite force. Whether or not your insurer authorizes pit bulls depends on several factors, including the laws of your state and the history of your pet behavior.
Which insurers will authorize your pit?
Insurer coverage varies on a case-by-case basis. Michigan and Pennsylvania have passed legislation that prohibits denying race-based coverage, and more and more states are planning to pass similar legislation. However, if you don't live in Michigan or Pennsylvania, here are a few providers that offer pit bull-friendly policies.
- State Farm® does not require you to disclose your dog's breed when writing a policy and has no breed restrictions. State Farm considers your coverage on a case-by-case basis, taking into account your pit bull's previous behavior.
- Allstate Insurance Company has a policy similar to State Farm. They will write you a policy that includes the blanket, but it may change if your dog misbehaves.
- USAA insurance policies will cover your pit bull if it has a proven track record, but the company only serves US military veterans and their families.
Although State Farm, Allstate, and USAA are great options for pitbull liability coverage under your home insurance policy, the coverage will vary. It is important to shop around to find the policy that is right for you and your pet.
How to show your pit bull is a good dog
By demonstrating the good behavior of your pitbull, you can increase your chances of obtaining coverage through your home insurance policy and also reduce your rates. Here are simple steps you can take to prove your pit bull's history of obedience and safe behavior.
- Obtain the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate from the American Kennel Club. This is the best way to prove the good behavior of your pitbull
- Sterilize or neuter your pit bull. In addition to helping tackle homelessness in pets, the evidence suggests that stationary dogs are more docile and behave better
- Get your pitbull vaccinated properly and take him regularly to the veterinarian
- Register your pit bull in a training course
Ways to Minimize Your Pit Bull's Risk of Liability
When you have a dog breed with high bite strength, it is important to recognize the potential threat it poses to children and adults if caught. Here are some additional steps you can take as a pit bull owner to keep your dog happy and the people around you safe.
- Socialize your pit bull properly. This will reduce the likelihood that he will feel threatened by strangers and other dogs.
- Make sure your dog is trained on a leash
- Refrain from manhandling with your pit. They don't know their own strength!
- Train your dog to drop the toys so that when the playing time becomes too difficult, your dog will know the stop signal
- Do not leave your pit bull in the care of people he does not know or with children. Children are more likely to accidentally provoke your dog
- Know Your Dog - Understand Your Stressors To Avoid Them Better
Extension of the cover with pitbull insurance or umbrella policies
If you have exhausted all of your options and you cannot find civil liability coverage for your pitbull with home insurance, consider taking out an insurance policy or canine public liability insurance. If you've heard people talk about "pit bull insurance", they are most likely talking about canine liability insurance.
A complimentary insurance policy complements your home insurance policy by extending your maximum payment and filling gaps in coverage. For example, if your home insurance covers liability up to $ 100,000, a general insurance policy could extend coverage to $ 300,000. Then, if a claim exceeds $ 100,000, your insurance policy could cover the difference up to $ 300,000. If you are not fully covered, you would be personally liable and the costs could be recovered from your personal property.
Unlike a framework policy, canine liability insurance does not require a preexisting home or tenant insurance policy. As an independent policy, it offers a wide range of liability cover linked to your pitbull. Dog bites can easily exceed $ 35,000 in medical and settlement costs, so an individual pit bull insurance policy is a great alternative to home insurance coverage. Many small insurers offer these insurance products.
These policies can be great alternatives that guarantee you won't have to pay out of pocket if you are sued for damage or injury from your pitbull. Whether you find coverage with home insurance, canine liability insurance or an umbrella policy, be sure to protect yourself and your pit bull with coverage.