NJ - Cohen Bill -Preventing Breed Discrimination

[Rene Allegrini]

COHEN BILL PREVENTING DOG BREED DISCRIMINATION BY HOMEOWNER INSURERS ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - An Assembly panel today released legislation Assemblymen Neil M. Cohen sponsored to prohibit property and casualty insurers in New Jersey from altering a homeowner's insurance policy based on the type or specific breed of dog kept on the insured property.

"Increasing premiums or denying a homeowner coverage on the basis of dog ownership is insurance discrimination in its purest form," said Cohen (D-Union). "No one in New Jersey should have to wonder if they will lose their insurance coverage simply because they purchased a pet."

According to the Cohen, insurance companies across the country have adopted the practice of classifying certain breeds of dogs as "high-risk," with respect to insurance policies. As a result, homeowners in possession of a high-risk breed have seen their homeowner's insurance premiums drastically increase and, in some instances, have lost their coverage entirely.

The bill (A-1951) would prohibit property and casualty insurers from utilizing underwriting guidelines that adversely affect a homeowners insurance policy solely on the basis of the type or breed of dog kept on the property.

"In most cases involving a 'dangerous' breed, the owner is the one responsible for teaching the dog its aggressive or dangerous behavior," said Cohen. "Giving insurance companies the authority to decide the type of pets someone can own would force many homeowners to either risk losing coverage by keeping 'dangerous' dogs or condone the abandonment of thousands of perfectly safe, happy house pets."

The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee unanimously released the measure. It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

Cohen Bill Preventing Dog Breed Discrimination by Homeowner Insurers Advances | Politicker NJ

[singularity12]

Anyone know how this turned out? I'd like to send the legislator a nice letter (and a campaign contribution). I'd also like to use the information to try to find a legislator here in California to sponsor similar legislation.

[moz205]

I also wanted to see what happened with this bill. The update is:

Cohen Bill Preventing Dog Breed Discrimination by Homeowner Insurers Passes Assembly | Politicker NJ

Great news!

[Rudgeman]

Thats great news, It's nice to have this board where stuff like this can get to us. I live in NJ as well and remember a few years back I had a hard time w/ homeowners because of my Rott. Thanks for posting this!
Mike

[singularity12]

Thanks so much for passing on this info. Great news indeed. Something I found refreshing was the fact that there is bipartisan co-sponsorship of the bill.

[Chele]

Now if we could just get this implemented in every state that would be great. I know I'm tired of pay higher premiums on my insurance.

[singularity12]

For those who live in California, here are the appropriate legislative committee members for the committees dealing with insurance issues. I plan to write each of these legislators and include the text of the Cohen bill. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

California Assembly

INSURANCE (10)-Coto (Chair), Benoit (Vice Chair), Berg, Cal-
deron, Carter, De León, Duvall, Garrick, Lieber, and Parra. Chief Consul-
tant: Mark Rakich. Prinicpal Consultant: Manny Hernandez. Secretary:
Tracy Ainsworth Elwell. Room 2013. Phone: 319-2086.

California Senate

Banking, Finance and Insurance-(11)-Machado (Chair), Run-
ner (Vice Chair), Correa, Cox, Florez, Hollingsworth, Kehoe, Lowenthal,
Margett, Scott and Wiggins. Principal Consultants: Eileen Newhall and
Erin Ryan. Assistant: Inez Taylor. Phone: (916)651-4102. Room 407.