Just venting!

[samanthac]

Let me clarify something. Travelers Insurance does have a hit list
for dogs. They did not change their policies as indicated by SamanthaC. I would suggest for people in PA that you contact other companies to see who would be willing to insure a house with your dog. I cannot speak for all companies just the ones I represent. Also, I would suggest we promote the different Rotty clubs(USRC,ARV,AKC, ECT...) out there so membership grows and with growth comes more power. I know we below to 4 or 5 different clubs all offering valuable info to the rotty owner. If you do not below to these clubs, shame on you!!

[pbach]

In my own opinion - I am a little confused about the following statements.

Originally posted by samanthac
Also, stevenc forgot to add that we live in the state of PA. It is illegal in PA to deny insurance based solely on breed of dog owned. The insurance companies must abide by the state law or risk losing their license in the state.

Samanthac said "It is illegal in PA to deny insurance based solely on breed of dog owned."

Originally posted by stevenc
…I own an insurance agency and hate when I have to tell someone I cannot write your insurance because of the type of dog you own….

Stevenc said "hate when I have to tell someone I cannot write your insurance because of the type of dog you own". Do you write policies for persons living in PA, or do you write policies for persons who live outside the state of PA?

Originally posted by samanthac
The insurance compnaies set the policies, not the agents. Trust me, Steven would not deny people if he was not bound to by his contracts. It serves no one, neither him or the
insured to be dishonest and skirt the issue. He could lose his license and the insured could lose their coverage if there is a bite and a subsequent claim.

You said "The insurance companies must abide by the state law or risk losing their license in the state." In the first quote "It is illegal in PA to deny insurance based solely on breed of dog owned." So if you’re not denying insurance based on the breed of the dog – what do you deny them on? and I'm only talking about pets here!

I am not trying to be argumentative – but the statements made are conflicting. I am very fortunate in that the Insurance Company that carries my homeowners insurance does not have a breed hit list. Our Agent is very much aware of the type of dogs we have. Our homeowners Insurance has just been renewed and there was no question about it. We're some of the lucky ones and I agree with your statements that getting the word out and educating people on the breed is the only way we can make things change.

[Burnsway]

pbach

I'm not sure but I think her husband posted under her name by accident. If using the same computer he may have forgot to log out and relog back in with his own nick.

Hasn't that happen to you and your spouse before.......:D

(Edited to say oh never mind thats not what you were confused about.....:o)

[pbach]

Originally posted by Burnsway
pbach
Hasn't that happen to you and your spouse before.......:D

Yeap that happened once before and boy did I ever hear about it.:p He told me that my opinions weren't necessary his opinions and that I needed to make sure I posted correctly:o

[samanthac]

Patty,

I know this sounds convoluted and it is, believe me. So I'll try to explain it again the best I can.

There are 4 solid legal facts that we know:

1. In PA there is a state law in PA in the PA State Dog Law that specifically says that insurance companies cannot deny insurance based solely on breed of dog that you own.

2. According to the PA State Insurance Commission insurance companies risk losing their licensure if they do not abide by state laws.

3. If you buy/obtain your dog after your policy is in place, it is illegal for them to drop you because of the dog.

Now, we will get to the reality of the situation...

1. Insurance companies still have breed policies

2. Their applications force the agents to ask despite the state law and turn down applicants if they have any of these dogs

3. Insurance companies will try to drop you if they find out you have these dogs either knowingly or after the fact.

The legal recourse:

1. If your insurance company tries to drop you because of your dog, youc an go to the PA State Insurance Commission and present your case for arbitration. 99% of time insureds win their cases because it is illegal on 2 counts. Most people do not know this

2. If the insurance company tries to deny you based on your breed of dog int he state of PA, again go to the State Insurance Commissioner and report them. IT is important that the Commissioner's office gets the reports of denied insurance so that they can see that these companies are regurlarly breaking the law.

3. Report these companies to the ADOA and the AKC.

I am sure that Stevenc can chime in with more detail or clarify any points I may have inadvertantly mis-stated.

Also, Stevenc is right. WE the dog owners are allowing this to happen. Although we dog owners represent BILLIONS of dollars of revenue for these companies, we allow them to push us around and dictate to us what dogs we can and cannot own. We need to stand up and support our Rottweiler clubs and encourage them to stand up as well. We need to get together petitions objecting to the insurance companies mass genocide of certain dog breeds. We need to join forces with other breeds who are having the same dilemma. We need to join the ADOA and encourage them to fight for us. We need to petition the AKC to enact a mass fight...they have the money, the resources and the lobby! We need a lobby!

This is what we need to do. Pardon my french, but we need to get off our collective @sses and do something about this now and not wait until it happens to us. If we do not, we literally will not be able to own this breed within the next 10 years.

[samanthac]

Originally posted by Burnsway
I'm not sure but I think her husband posted under her name by accident. If using the same computer he may have forgot to log out and relog back in with his own nick.

Yep, that is exactly what happened!

[MaxiesMom]

I think it is crappy that they have this bad rep b/c of some irresponsible ownership. We are moving to FL in 6-9 months, and can't find any rentals b/c of breed restrictions. The ones that were available have changes their rules in the last few months. Now I will have to commute an hour to work and live with friends, till we buy a home. But it will be worth it, since my baby girl will be with me.However, any person can get an apartment. My rott is the sweetest girls, so well behaved. I think it unfair!! I vote for million "rott" march!!

[Rob75]

Samantha, I posted what I was told by the Travelers agency here in Allentown. I know from talking to your hubby last week, it seems like individual agents, despite company's not having a hit list, are acting on there own to reduce their risk. I must say, your husband was very informative on the phone. As for these Rottie clubs, how does one go about joining them?

[Barb and Raven]

I was researching about homeowners insurance and came across this one. I can see many posts here about Travelers. I received a renewal denial today concerning my policy with them.
I have started a new thread concerning this in the BSL section. You may want to read it.