Why You Might Want to Check With Your Insurance Agent Before Getting A Puppy as a Christmas Gift
With the holiday season in full swing, many families will wake up on Christmas morning to a new member of the family. But do you know what can be even better than puppy breath and puppy snuggles? A prepared pet owner that has done their homework before bringing the new addition home!
Many people do not realize that animal liability is not an automatic coverage on most homeowner’s polices, nor do they realize that they could jeopardize their current policy if they purchase a certain breed on the do not insure list. While it is never planned that our new furry family member will ever harm someone, it is a very unfortunate possibility. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Florida ranked in the top 3 states for having the highest amount of dog liability claims. The injury may not be from a dog bite, but could also be a result of knocking a person down or causing injuries by scratching them. Even the sweetest dogs can be excited and rambunctious and can cause injury to guests by accident making the homeowner responsible.
It is important to have a conversation with your agent or insurance carrier to find out the following:
1) Is animal liability available and what is the cost?
2) What breeds are not acceptable?
3) What if I have a breed that is on the do not insure list?
4) Can I be cancelled for having a certain breed?
The most common (but not all) excluded or difficult to insure breeds are:
Pit Bull Terriers
Staffordshire Terriers
Rottweilers
German Shepards
Chow Chow
Doberman Pinchers
Akitas
Wolf Hybrids
Mastiffs
Cane Corsos
Great Danes
Alaskan Malamutes
Siberian Huskies
One carrier recently added Boxers to their list which was surprising. Upon inquiring why they were added the response was because they are strong and they jump. Despite having a very friendly 2 year old and 3 year old boxer at home, this is a fact that cannot be disputed. Every company has different guidelines but it’s important to think about while deciding what puppy and what breed to get before bringing a dog into your home.
For more information about animal liability, please contact us today, and have a Merry Christmas!!