Home insurance for dog owners

Why you can trust Insure.com

Quality Verified

At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry.

Depending on what breed of dog you own, where you live, and your insurance company, it could be difficult to buy a home insurance policy that includes liability for your dog.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. And when there are injuries, claims against the personal liability portion of a home insurance policy tend to follow. As a result, some home insurance companies have tried to limit their liability.

There are a few situations where your dog might become an issue for home insurance. Some insurers have a listed of restricted breeds, while others look at the individual dog’s bite history. Read on to learn everything you need to know about home insurance with a dog.

Key Takeaways

Some insurance companies have restrictions on a list of dog breeds or dogs with a bite history.
The personal liability portion of your homeowners insurance pays claims related to injuries caused by your dog.
It’s important to practice dog bite prevention techniques to prevent a liability claim.

Which dog breeds are banned by insurance companies?

While there might not be an industry-wide “blacklist” of breeds, it’s best to check with your agent before you buy certain dog breeds. The list could include:

Pitbulls
Rottweilers
Chow chows
German shepherds
Siberian huskies
Alaskan malamutes
Doberman pinschers
Presa Canario bulldogs
Great Danes
Boxers
Akitas
Wolf-hybrids

Some home insurance companies have lists of breeds and crossbreeds they will not insure; other insurers consider such breeds on a case-by-case basis, or charge more for certain “biting” breeds such as pit bulls. Some home insurers require dog owners to sign liability waivers for dog bites.

In Michigan and Pennsylvania, it’s illegal for home insurers to deny coverage simply because a home has a dog of a particular breed.

Which insurance companies don’t have a dog breed blacklist?

Some insurance companies will sell you coverage regardless of what type of breed you own. Jeff McCollum, a spokesperson for State Farm, says that there are good and bad dogs within each breed, just like there are responsible and irresponsible dog owners.

State Farm does require policyholders to answer questions about dogs on their home insurance applications. Specifically, the company wants to know if a dog has ever bitten anyone or if it has been trained for attack purposes.

If the dog has bitten someone, State Farm will want to know the circumstances surrounding the bite to determine if it is likely to happen again and if precautions have been taken to prevent it. Other factors the company looks at are the seriousness of the injury and whether the attack was provoked or unprovoked.

Can you be denied home insurance if your dog has a bite history?

Some insurers may cancel or refuse to renew an existing home insurance policy, decline your application for a new one or attach an exclusion for the dog to the policy — if your dog has even one attack in its history. The exclusion means the insurance policy would not cover any liability claims caused by the dog, making you personally responsible for any medical bills or lawsuits stemming from your dog’s actions.

As noted above, this is illegal in some states, and not all home insurance companies have rules regarding dogs.

QuickTake

How much does dog liability insurance cost and do you need it?

My dog dislocated her hip while jumping off the bed at my house. Does my home insurance cover my vet bills?

Do home insurance companies have a dog "black list"?

A heart-breaking choice: The family dog or home insurance

Prevent dog bites to avoid claims

The AVMA recommends several steps to prevent a dog bite. These include:

Selecting your dog carefully. When buying or adopting a pet, make sure you know the dog’s history and choose a breed that’s right for your lifestyle. Your vet can help.
Socialize your dog. It’s important for dogs to feel comfortable around other people and dogs. Socialization from an early age can help. Avoid putting your dog in situations where it feels afraid or threatened.
Be cautious around young children. Carefully supervise interactions with young children, and consider waiting to adopt a dog until children in the house are over the age of four.
Train your dog. Work to ensure you can control your dog with basic commands.
Maintain your dog’s health. A dog that doesn’t feel well might bite. Keep your dog healthy with regular veterinary care.
Be a responsible pet owner. Follow leash laws, exercise your dog and consider spaying or neutering your dog.
Stay alert. Pay attention to your dog’s behavior and reactions and keep your dog out of stressful situations.

What to do if your dog bites someone

If your dog bites someone, respond right away. It’s important to handle the situation carefully.

Restrain or confine your dog immediately. Then do whatever you can to help the victim, whether that means calling 911 or driving them to the emergency room.
Once the victim is taken care of, you might have to contact the local authorities to report the dog bite. You should then call your home insurance company, especially if there are medical costs involved. Be sure to cooperate with your insurance company. The claims adjuster will no doubt want to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Take steps to make sure a similar incident doesn’t happen. That might mean building a fence around your yard or sending your dog to obedience school. When all else fails, a certified animal trainer might help.

Sources

American Veterinary Medical Association. “Dog bite prevention.” Accessed June 2024

Les Masterson

Contributor

Les, a former managing editor, insurance, at QuinStreet, has more than 20 years of experience in journalism. In his career, he has covered everything from health insurance to presidential politics.