Homeowners Insurance and Pit Bulls: How to Find the Best Coverage
Some insurers won’t cover homes with pit bulls or may charge much higher rates. Fortunately, you have options.
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While pit bulls may be cute and cuddly most of the time, they can sometimes cause costly injuries and liability claims. For this reason, some home insurance companies either exclude coverage for pit bulls or charge higher premiums for them.
Here’s a closer look at the potential effect of a pit bull on your home insurance policy, as well as your options if your current insurer drops you or raises your premiums too high. Plus, learn about which home insurance companies may be good options for pit bull owners.
Can you get homeowners insurance with a pit bull?
It may be possible to lock in home insurance coverage if you have a pit bull. If your insurer does cover your pit bull, you’ll receive liability coverage, which pays for medical expenses if your pit bull bites someone or damages their property. It can also kick and help pay for legal fees if the injured party sues you.
In addition to liability coverage, home insurance policies include medical payments coverage, which reimburses people for minor medical expenses, such as ambulance rides or first aid, if your pit bull injures someone. Keep in mind that some home insurance companies won’t cover homes with pit bulls, while others might charge more or only cover your home but not your dog.
Does owning a pit bull increase insurance premiums?
Dog bite claims cost $1.12 million in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute.1 This is why some home insurers are hesitant to insure properties with pit bulls, which they perceive as high-risk breeds that are more likely to bite than other dogs.
Sometimes, a home insurance company will grant coverage to a homeowner who owns a pit bull but raise premiums to mitigate the risk. Owners of other restricted breeds, such as Rottweilers, German shepherds, Dobermans, and cane corsos, may also face higher home insurance rates or find it difficult to secure coverage altogether.2
Best insurers for pit bulls and other ‘high-risk’ breeds
Fortunately, some homeowners insurance companies don’t impose breed restrictions and may offer coverage for pit bulls. If you own a pit bull or another “high-risk” breed, here are a few of the best home insurers you might want to consider.
State Farm
USAA
Auto-Owners
Allstate
Nationwide
Chubb
Insurify’s editors reviewed various breed-restriction policies from top insurers to choose the best home insurance company for pit bull owners. We considered whether the insurer had breed restrictions, whether bite history was considered, and whether pet behavior was considered.
We also compared each company’s coverage options, deductible options, discounts, customer reviews, and Insurify Quality (IQ) Scores.
Why do insurers restrict pit bulls and other breeds?
Insurance companies strive to pay out fewer claims so they can maximize profits. Since 19,062 dog bite claims cost more than $1 million in 2024 alone, many insurers are mindful of which dog breeds they insure.1
Insurers perceive pit bulls, among other dog breeds like Rottweilers and German shepherds, as high-risk dogs that they may restrict or simply deny coverage for altogether. This is the case despite studies that show that pit bulls aren’t inherently aggressive and that environmental factors, rather than breed type, cause aggression.3
Which states don’t allow breed discrimination in homeowners insurance?
A few states have laws that either minimize or eliminate dog breed discrimination by homeowners insurance companies. These include Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Keep in mind that even though these states prohibit decisions based on breed, insurers still have the right to set breed-specific premiums or exclude home insurance coverage for dog bites.
Tips for homeowners with pit bulls to reduce risks
If you own a pit bull, use these tips to help you keep risks to a minimum so you can secure an affordable home insurance policy.
Homeowners insurance and pit bulls FAQs
Here are some common questions about homeowners insurance coverage and how it relates to pit bulls and pit bull owners.
Do pit bulls affect homeowners insurance?
Sometimes. It can be challenging to get home insurance when you have pit bulls. Some insurers believe these dogs are aggressive and may exclude or deny coverage or offer you a higher rate.
Should you tell your homeowners insurance company about your dog?
Yes. It’s essential to inform a home insurance company about your pit bull. Once you do, the insurer can modify your coverage to meet your needs and ensure you have the right protection against potential dog bites and other liabilities. If you’re not clear about having a pit bull, your insurer will likely deny any claims related to it.
What breed of dog is uninsurable?
Home insurance companies often ban pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. If you own an uninsurable breed, you might need to invest in umbrella insurance or canine liability coverage.
Which dog breeds does homeowners insurance restrict?
Home insurance companies tend to restrict breeds that they perceive as aggressive. These depend on the insurer but may include Rottweilers, German shepherds, cane corsos, Doberman pinschers, and more.
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