The Dogs Your Homeowners Insurance Provider Refuses To Accept

Most experts agree that it's none of your homeowners insurance provider's business what kind of pet you happen to own as long as they don't tear your house apart at the seams. Unfortunately, most homeowners insurance companies don't see it that way. If you talk to just about any insurance provider they'll tell you that your dog's breed and their history of bad behavior have a tremendous impact on the amount of money you're going to be paying every year for your homeowners insurance.

In fact, your dog just may be the straw that stops you from getting insurance at all.

If you look at it from your insurer's point of view it makes sense. Your homeowners insurance does a lot more than protect your house from cooking accidents and acts of God (although those are important too). It also serves to help protect your bank account from legal and medical claims resulting from accidents on your property or resulting from-yes, you guessed it-an attack by your dog.

Studies show that liability claims, including those resulting from dog bites, make up approximately five percent of all homeowners insurance claims filed every year. Studies also show that in 2007 (which doesn't take into account the inflation of recent years) a single dog bite claim averaged $24,511 a pop. That's $24,000+ out of your insurer's pocket. When you consider the thousands of American homes that happily boast their own canine resident it's easy to understand why they're taking the potential for disaster into account when determining your homeowners insurance rates.

It's sad but true that there are certain breeds of dog that tend to get a bad rap when you're talking about bringing them home as pets. Statistically speaking, the dog breeds listed below are more likely to attack when provoked, leave injuries that require medical treatment and cost your homeowners insurance provider money out of pocket that they really don't want to spend. As a result, these dogs are going to cost you more to insure on an annual basis and may even be considered grounds for outright refusing your requests for coverage.

These "high risk" dog breeds include (but are not limited to):

1)The Akita
2)The Alaskan Malamute
3)The Chow Chow
4)The Doberman Pinscher
5)The German Sheperd
6)The Pit Bull
7)The Presa Canario
8)The Rottweiler
9)The Siberian Husky
10)The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
11)Any type of "Wolfdog", or wolf hybrid. (These dogs are illegal in many states and require a permit in others, so if you're considering purchasing a wolfdog of your own make sure you know your state's laws first).

Just because these dogs are almost guaranteed to cost you extra money to insure regardless there are still steps you can take to keep your homeowners insurance premiums reasonable. Enroll your dog in an obedience school or doggy boot camp as soon as they are old enough, and take them back for frequent refresher courses. Fence in your backyard to provide your pet with a safe place to run, and be sure to socialize your pet at a young age.

With care and consideration you should be able to keep your canine companion without having your monthly homeowners insurance payment leave you weak in the knees.