Homeowners Insurance and your dog - Page 1

I was just rejected by Indiana Insurance for having a German Shepherd. Now I go to State Farm and pay 100.00 additional..............discrimination of the first order. He is obedience trained no history biting anyone and is contained in our fenced in property. Why?

There are ALOT of insurance companies that have breed lists of dogs they won't cover. MA was trying to pass a law so insurance companies couldn't discriminate based off of breed, there was another state trying the same thing. Until all states tell insurance companies that they can't do this, it won't stop. Here in Florida it's hard to get insurance period without paying a fortune due to hurricanes, not to mention adding the dogs.

I had same problem and I just told them i now just say I have an alsation and all is well

Great solution, GSDNewbie!

Do a CGC test and certification on your dog - I know alot of the insurance companies are instituting policies where they will accept certain breeds with these certifications...I do the CD as well, for good measure.

Try Nationwide, I hear they do not discriminate... I know a lot of folks who don't say a word..... We have had GSD's for over 20 years (and the same insurance company) and never had a dog bite claim/report ... they question us but the record speaks for itself. Having certified therapy dogs doesn't hurt either....

I realize this is a serious issue. I know that the AKC is lobbying states to stop the discrimination towards GSD's and other breeds. This summer when I move I will again face this issue. I currently pay a small surcharge for the dogs, and while I think this is discriminatory it is a small fee and I am able to have homeowner's insurance for a reasonable cost compared to other insurers. I will probably stay with State Farm, unless someone can offer me a better deal. I do expect rates to continue to increase because of the storms in the gulf, and a "dog surcharge" is a guaranteed and easy way to increase revenue. The pisser is that most dog bites (not necessarily the most serious) are done by the smaller breeds. Since many unintended bite victims are children who tease dogs, a CGC is certainly not a bad thing to have just in case the dog nips someone. Bob-O

I have had Nationwide Homeowners for many years and have never been asked if I even own a dog let alone which breed. If I ever do get asked, I'll take Newbie's advice and Blitz will become an Alsatian. I'm honestly not sure how much benefit a CGC would have in the event your dog is involved in a biting incident.

The CGC title might lessen the liklihood of a successful lawsuit/large claim against the owner, and may protect the dog's life. A BIG "might" and "may" that all has to proven in court. I was involved in one dog bite issue (not one of my dogs) where I took a friend's dog into protective custody and quarantine at my kennel for six (6) weeks. In that case, some neighborhood boys were teasing the dog through the owner's door when one had the bright idea to open the door and let him out. Fortunately the bite was not very serious. In the end, charges were dropped because of the trespassing issue concerning the boys. That said; I realize that it seldom turns out this way. The dog and his owner were very fortunate. The dog could have easily been euthanized and the owner successfully sued. Bob-O

Bob-O, I do not know where you live, but in the U.S., your statement about most dog bites being caused by small dogs is absolutely incorrect. There are a lot of studies on dog bites and large breed dogs, including the GSD always rank at the top. As well, the majority of bites are from dogs known to the person bitten. There are exceptions, of course. For those of you who think this is a problem that is going to go away, think again. I can not get liability insurance on property because I have German Shepherds. I have never had any incident. Further, if one even mentions the word Schutzhund to an insurer, they will run the other way. Sad, because my dogs are all well socialized, safe in society and well trained. There are many insurance companies who are cancelling policies, without regard to any prior claim, just because one has a certain breed of dog, GSDs included. I am an AKC CGC evaluator and having a CGC certificate has not helped anyone I know. So though I think, at a minimum, it is good to train your dog to AT LEAST this level, it is not a sure way to prevent cancellation or special levies because you have a GSD. Further, in my rescue operation, I often get calls from people who are having to give up their GSD who has bitten a jogger, for example, because their insurance agency is going to cancel their policy. No insurance, no financing for your home. All of us must do more to insure we breed only a few litters and make sure we sell to qualified homes, not just the people who can pay for dogs and pups. We have to do more too to help the county and city shelters who are overwhelmed with unwanted dogs. We must fight breed specific legislation in every way, but the best way is to be certain both you and your dog are a good ambassador for the breed.