Renters insurance for pit bulls: Can you get coverage?

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Getting a renters insurance policy if you have a pit bull may be a little more challenging. Some renters insurance companies have restrictions on coverage for certain dog breeds, and pit bulls are a common one.

The company may either refuse to provide you with a renters insurance policy, or may exclude your pit bull from your liability coverage. That means if your pit bull bites someone or causes other damage, you may not be covered.

In most states, home insurance companies can restrict coverage for certain dog breeds that they consider aggressive, although in Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania the practice is illegal. Furthermore, some renters insurance companies cover pit bulls and all other breeds with no restrictions; others may decide on an individual basis considering not the breed but the dog’s history.

Key Takeaways

Renters insurance provides liability coverage to protect you financially if your dog bites someone or damages their property.
Pit bulls and other breeds that are considered aggressive may be restricted from coverage or prevent you from getting renters insurance at all with some companies.
Not all renters insurance companies have breed restrictions; some look at the dog’s history and consider all dogs on a case by case basis.

Does renters insurance cover pit bulls?

Renters insurance includes liability coverage, which covers not just you but also your dog. If your dog bites someone or damages their property, you can be held liable and responsible for medical and other bills. The liability insurance on your renters insurance is designed to protect you from that financial responsibility.

Renters insurance policies come with a standard level of liability coverage, usually $100,000, but you can increase that amount.

However, some renters insurance companies have restrictions on certain breeds, including pit bulls. If you have a pit bull or another dog that appears on the list, you may need to shop around to find a company that will cover your dog.

Which renters insurance companies cover pit bulls?

Even if options for pit bull owners are more limited, you can still get renters insurance that includes injuries or property damage caused by a pit bull. Two insurance companies come out on top for pit bull owners:

State Farm

State Farm is an excellent choice for renters insurance for pit bull owners, as the company doesn’t have a breed list and considers each dog on a case by case basis. As long as your pit bull has no bite history, you should be able to get coverage with State Farm.

Amica

Amica doesn’t have breed restrictions and will simply consider your dog on its history, including temperament and any bite history. Renters with pit bulls that have no history of aggression should be able to get coverage here.

USAA

If you’re in the military or are a veteran, USAA is an option for renters insurance with a pit bull. The company does not have a list of restricted breeds and looks at dogs on a case-by-case basis.

American Family

While American Family doesn’t outright restrict breeds, they may had additional requirements for insuring certain breeds, such as requiring a securely fenced yard. The company will also reduce the liability coverage limits for dogs that have been trained as guard or attack dogs. If you’ve got a pit bull with no such history, AmFam may be an option.

Why is it so hard to get renters insurance if you have a pit bull?

You may have to do some extra work to get renters insurance if you have a pit bull because insurance companies have restrictions for some dog breeds. These restrictions exist because from the insurer’s perspective, some breeds are considered a liability and have a higher chance of an accident occurring.

Dog breeds that face restrictions from insurance companies include:

Akitas
Alaskan Malamutes
German Shepherds
Great Danes
Mastiffs
Pit Bulls
Rottweilers
Siberian Huskies

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How much does renters insurance cost if you have a pit bull?

Renters insurance for pit bull owners may be more expensive with some companies. If the company agrees to insure your dog but considers it a higher liability risk, it may charge you more for insurance.

You shouldn’t forego renters insurance due to cost, however. Dog bites are more common than you might think — nearly 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Additional insurance for pit bull owners

If pit bulls are excluded from the policy of your choice, you can buy two types of additional coverage to make sure you are protected:

A canine liability policy, which provides insurance for any breed, including pit bulls. This can be a separate insurance policy from your renters insurance, or it can be added on as an endorsement.
An umbrella policy, which supplements your renters insurance and provides additional coverage in case of a dog bite. An umbrella policy provides liability protection above your standard homeowner, auto or boat insurance policies. It may cover you for claims that are excluded by your other liability policies.

While getting renters insurance as a pit bull owner may be more complicated, it’s not impossible. Shop around to find the right policy, or consider adding on supplemental coverage to make sure you are protected.

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Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.