When and how does homeowners insurance cover pets?
You’re only covered for liability-related claims under your homeowners insurance when it comes to your pets. There are two main areas where pets may cause liability issues that result in lawsuits against you. We’ll break down each for a better understanding.
Though pets are technically considered to be personal property, it’s nearly impossible for an insurance company to accurately assign them a monetary value. That’s why coverage for pets is so limited under homeowners insurance. However, liability claims are typically the most expensive issues that can arise from pets anyway, so it’s good to know that homeowners insurance does provide you with pet-related liability protection.
What dog breeds are not covered by homeowners insurance?
Certain dog breeds are responsible for an overwhelmingly high number of dog bite claims. As a way to minimize what they view as a high-risk and expensive liability issue, some insurers exclude coverage for certain dog breeds or refuse to cover your home altogether.
Many insurers have restrictions against the following breeds:
In certain states, dog breed discrimination may be banned
Dog groups have been lobbying state legislators to ban insurers from refusing coverage due to dog breed. So far, three states have implemented legislation to limit breed discrimination:
How Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Dogs?
As mentioned above, homeowners insurance covers dogs and pets in relatively the same way. If your dog damages your personal property, that is unlikely to be covered by your homeowners insurance.
However, if your dog damages a person or their property in your home, that’s typically when your coverage will kick in to help with medical and legal fees.