Homeowners insurance cancelled because I own a Rott!

[Diamond Dog]

My bitch is the sweetest dog ever. never has bitten anyone. My homeowners insurance will not be renewing my homeowners insurance because they said I own a Rott. I called 3 other companies (20th Century, Wawanesa, State Farm) and they will not write policies with people who have Rotts or Pit bulls. This is absolute CRAP! I even invited all of them over to meet my dog. I am sure a lot of you own homes. Do your insurers let you have a Rott? Did you just lie? Please give me some suggestions and please calm me down! This is so discriminatory. They might as well have said something like we can't insure you because you are a minority, or under 40 or something. I am seeing RED.

[Diamond Dog]

Sorry, I didn't see the thread on this already. I can't see because I am seeing RED ;).

Is there anything we can do about this? This seems clearly discrimintaory. I could understand dropping insurance if your dog bit someone, but not for just the breed.

They should really get to the root of the problem and they should not insure stupid people instead or discriminating against the dogs. We would be a lot better off then, but we probably wouldn't write too many policies!

[ June 11, 2001: Message edited by: Diamond Dog ]

[ June 11, 2001: Message edited by: Diamond Dog ]

[godfreyc]

Diamond Dog, did you speak with the corporate office of state farm or a local agent? I have state farm insurance and my agent has been to my home and seen my dogs. She asked if they had a bite history and that was it. It my be that the local agent has made that decision not the company.

[AimeeMB]

I also have State Farm Insurance and I have a 6 year old Rottie, his name is Kizer. I own my home and they only asked me if I had a dog, I said yes. They then asked what kind, I said Rottweiler. The lady immediately asked me if he had bitten anyone and I told her no. That was the end of it. That was about 18 months ago. I live in FL, what state are you in?

[Dale Green Young]

State Farm is one of the better organizations for being insured with a rott.

If you are in New England, I can give you some other names (email me privately).

[Teena]

I also have state farm & they know i have a rotten one. They didn't even ask about his behavior.

[Gryphon]

I have been gathering quotes for homeowners and car insurance to try to get a better rate. I just called State Farms, I specifically asked if dogs were OK with them, they asked what kind, they asked if they ever bit anyone, I said no, they said no problem. The best part is their rates were actually several hundred $$ cheaper for the Home owners / auto policy package than what I pay now and my current agent does not know about the dogs.

[Judy Chrusch]

I have State Farm as well and they know we have a rottie. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this, there's gotta be something we can do, all of us together perhaps. Have you spoken to a lawyer to see if this is even allowed? It's especially upsetting when you know you have a good dog.

Judy

[Karyn]

I have Allstate and I have a rotti, GSD and beagle. They don't care as long as there is no bite history. My car is insured with Liberty Mutual but they would not write my homeowners. A friend with a Rotti has Colonial.

[royalarrival]

I am aware of homeowner insurances dropping or raising the price to those owners that owner Rotti's, Pitt Bulls and Dovermin's. I chose not to tell my homeowner insurance company. What they don't know won't hurt them..lol. I understand were they come up with this discriminating rule. It's no news that when someone is into dog fighting what breed of choice they use. Most of the times you hear about dog attacks on the news it is one of those breeds. Therefore the insurance company feels owning these breeds are at high risk. When I walk down the street with my Rotti the common responce I get from strangers is "look at that killer". This upsets me deeply. Rotti's are truely a sweet family dog. I have a 3yr old and a 1 1/2yr old Daughters. My Rotti's love them and would never hurt them. They are friendly to everyone. But, God help that one person that tries to hurt the girls or myself. I truely think they would do something about it. I never saw them act in an aggressive way, but the bond is extremely close with and understanding between us. They can tell when something is seriously wrong.

Diane Conner

[rottweiler_fancier]

We just got our (state farm) insurance today. They asked about pets - what breed of dog - if there was a bite history - and if either were trained attack dogs. She hesitated a bit at the mention of a German Shepherd - so we'll probably just "forget" to mention when we got a Rottweiler. If they have questions about my dogs - they can come over and see. We've already seen my GSD's protection capabilities....Bark Bark Bark - then wag wag wag of the tail. She's usually enjoying a belly rub from the people who visit before their even in our home 20 minutes. Which is fine because she doesn't need any stronger of a temperament.

[Troy]

I have State Farm also. No problems. I'd confront your agent. Go over his head if you can...or try another State Farm Agent.

[Tamalam]

I just switched to State Farm from Metropolitan because we have rotties. Dale is right, they are one of the better ones, and one of very few in NY who will write a policy with rotties.
Best of luck....

[cj7jeep81]

I am purchasing a home and I called around about insurance. I am planning on getting a rottweiler in the future, and state farm said it was no problem unless it bit someone.

[Heaven]

I just wrote about this under a different post. This whole thing infruiates me! I was fortunate enough to find a place to share rent with a woman who said it would be OK for me and my baby girl to move in. Then she found out about the insurance BS. Luckily, she's got State Farm, and they told her it was OK for her to get a roommate with a rottie. AND, as if GOD were interceding, the woman she spoke with at State Farm just happended to be a rottie owner who had nothing but praises to say about her rottie. Praise the LORD for such wonderful folks!

If there were anything that could be done to terminate such prejudice about rotties and legislation, I'd be on the front lines. I will be if I ever get the chance.