?'s about homeowners

[roadweed]

I have been reading a lot about how difficult it is to find home owners insurance that allows Rotties. What would happen if you did not tell them you had one? My agent never asked, or had me sign or read anything regarding any exclusions, and I never thought it would be such a big deal to have a rottweiler. So many people have big dogs in AK, and insurance is higher up here anyhow, so maybe its not an issue up here like it is elsewhere. Should I call and inform them? Thanks

[ArcticDog]

As you know, we are in Anchorage too and did not have any problem with insurance. We just bought our house last December so we dealt with this recently. We even told our insurance person right out because we don't even wan't to participate with a company with prejudices like that. I just don't think that things like that are much of an issue up here.

[Roscoe's dad]

I would inform your agent. I don't know if you would be covered if anything happened. If he does not extend coverage to you and your dog, you can always find someone who will.

[Aegis]

As I understand it, if your policy does cover dog bites and doesn't specifically exclude [your breed] you should be covered if the dog does bite. However, you're almost guaranteed to be dropped after that unless you get rid of the dog.

You will also be hard-pressed to find another insurance company that will offer coverage if you decide to keep a dog with a bite history.

I believe, but I'm not certain, that if you obtained your policy prior to your insurance company implementing a breed/bite list exclusion to their coverage, and you haven't received written notice from them of any change in that status as far as your policy goes, you should be covered.

Also, sometimes having a CGC (I know) and at least a basic obedience completion certificate and a statement from your vet attesting to the dog's good temperament can be a big plus for you when dealing with the insurance agent/company.

[K9-man]

12/31/2002 7:01 AM CST

My insurance company has no idea how many or what breed of dogs I have. They didn’t ask, I didn’t tell.

[Carina43]

What Aegis said.

When I bought my house in Denver, I initially had insurance that did exclude certain breeds. I 'fessed up and shopped for different insurance - and found some cheaper than I had previously been paying, so it worked out very well. (State Farm, FWIW.) Our current insurance company could care less as long as there are no pervious recorded bite incidents.

I'd call and ask them, & take it from there. It's better to be upfront, I think.

[Aegis]

Originally posted by Carina43
I'd call and ask them, & take it from there. It's better to be upfront, I think.

Sorry, Carina. I should have clarified.

I was addressing the issue as regards an existing policy where no written breed exclusion is present.
In such a situation, without written notification of policy changes to the insured the insurer must, as I recall, pay resulting claims for dog bite. They can then refuse to continue providing coverage. In some instances, when a company does change their coverage regulations in this manner, they will work with existing policy holders who do have said breeds by allowing them to purchase a rider for the policy. Additional charges do apply, of course.

In the event of new coverage with another company, failure to disclose having a "bite list" breed of dog if asked by the agent can and does void coverage for dog related incidents.
If you're not asked about dogs by the agent, ask the agent.

Cold calling to get a policy/price quote and check all this out, company by company, is the best way to go. You get your answers and you know who you will, as well as who you
will definitely not, do business with.

[sophie's-mom]

hmmm, if they didn't ask, maybe the policy doesn't cover dog bites/related claims???

[WIRott]

When I got my home owners insurance they asked me and I told them I had a rot/chow mix at the time and they told me that as far as they knew it was a mut. That it is very hard here to find a good rate with a ROT in the house. I haven't informed mynew one they never asked. But my husband is bringing home some info that Milwaukee has put up for people that owns Rotties or pitbulls. Some of the things he was telling me is you have to have a fence yard with it being cemented in and so far down. They also say that they have to go for training and you have to take like an extra $10,000.00 in insurance out?????? I am not sure will see all the "DO's" tonight when he gets home. Personally if they are making rottie owners and pitbull owners to do this how about the rest of the dogs in the city because I have seen some mean german shepards and other breeds. My thought is if someone is gonna want a dog to be mean they will train it to be that way!

Ugh...sorry had to share..