Home Insurance and Dog Breed Restrictions: What to Know

Homeowners insurance is a type of insurance policy designed to protect homeowners from financial loss due to damage or destruction of property. Policies also include liability insurance, which covers a wide range of situations in which the homeowner may be held responsible for another person’s injury — including dog bites.

What dog breeds are commonly banned from insurance coverage?

The 15 dog breeds that home insurance companies most often ban are:

• Doberman pinscher

• Pit bull (including bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bull terrier, and American Staffordshire terrier)

• Rottweiler

• Chow chow

• Wolfdogs and wolf hybrids

• Presa Canario (canary dog)

• Akita

• German shepherd

• Husky

• Mastiff

• Alaskan malamute

• Bullmastiff

• Caucasian shepherd

• American bulldog

• Cane corso

Insurers might also exclude mixed breeds of any dogs listed above, guard dogs, and those with a history of biting other people or animals.

Why do insurance companies ban or restrict certain dog breeds?

Insurance companies have been known to exclude certain dog breeds from coverage due to their history of aggressive behavior toward humans and other animals. These breeds are considered higher-risk than others, so insurance companies are often reluctant to include them in their coverage.

Liability claims for dog bites and other dog-related injuries cost insurance companies more than $1.1 million in 2022, with the average cost per claim at $64,555, according to the Insurance Information Institute.1 Those claims cover medical expenses, legal settlements, judgments, and jury awards.

Insurance companies have taken several steps to reduce those losses, such as:

• Requiring policyholders to sign liability waivers confirming they’re personally responsible for dog bites

• Charging more for breeds with a history of biting or aggressive behavior

• Requiring pet owners to take their dogs to behavior-modification classes

• Requiring insured pets to be restrained with a muzzle, chain, or cage

• Not offering homeowners insurance to dog owners at all

What is breed-specific legislation?

Breed-specific legislation is a blanket term for laws that restrict certain dog breeds — usually those deemed dangerous or aggressive.2 These laws vary widely depending on the country, state, or city.

In some states, breed-specific legislation makes dog owners liable for injuries their pets cause, unless the animal was provoked. Other states don’t automatically assign liability, but the owner can be charged with a misdemeanor or even a felony and be required to pay fines.

Only four states — Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, and North Dakota — have no laws addressing dog bites.1

Can you get homeowners insurance if you own a banned dog breed?

Despite the exclusions, it’s usually still possible to find homeowners insurance if you have a restricted breed — you just might need to shop around to find a company willing to provide coverage. You may also need to pay a higher premium.

Not all insurance companies have lists of excluded dog breeds. The following insurers don’t have breed restrictions, according to the Animal Farm Foundation:

• Auto-Owners

• Chubb

• State Farm

• USAA3

Do dogs affect your home insurance rates?

Owning a dog can affect your home insurance rates — especially if you own a breed deemed dangerous or aggressive.4 Insuring homes that house certain dog breeds increases risk, so homeowners insurance companies consider that when setting rates.

Many insurance companies charge higher premiums if you own a high-risk breed, such as a pit bull, Rottweiler, or Doberman pinscher. Insurers consider these breeds to be at greater risk of biting or injuring someone, resulting in costly liability claims. Owners of certain high-risk breeds may even be denied coverage by some insurance companies.

How can you prevent dog-related home insurance claims?

While owning a dog can affect your home insurance rates, you can take steps to prevent dog-related insurance claims and potentially even lower your premiums. No matter which breed of dog you have, implementing these precautions can help reduce the likelihood of your dog causing harm to others and in turn, reduce your liability risk.

• Socialize your dog. Socializing your dog from an early age is a crucial step in preventing dog-related insurance claims. By introducing your dog to new people and other animals, you can teach it how to interact calmly and nonaggressively.

• Train your dog. Proper training is another critical step in preventing dog-related incidents. Basic obedience commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” can help keep your dog under control and prevent it from acting out.

• Leash your dog. Keeping your dog on a leash outside the home is essential for preventing accidents. Even if your dog is friendly and well-behaved, it may become startled or distracted and run off, potentially causing an accident. Keeping your dog on a leash can help prevent these situations.

• Supervise your dog. Supervising your dog is particularly important when interacting with unfamiliar people or other animals. Keeping an eye on your dog’s behavior and reactions can help prevent incidents.

• Secure your property. Ensuring your property is securely fenced and your dog can’t escape is another essential step in preventing dog-related claims.5

Following these precautions can help prevent dog-related incidents and minimize your liability risk. Of course, no dog is entirely predictable, so it’s also essential to have adequate homeowners insurance coverage to protect yourself financially.

Home insurance and restricted dog breed FAQs