Do cats affect homeowners insurance?

Asked by: Sincere Doyle  |  Last update: April 10, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (52 votes)

Not all pets raise the price of your home insurance. A cat or rabbit is highly unlikely to cause any serious damage to a person, so it's very rare for them to have any impact on your home insurance. Many farm animals also don't spike your insurance rates (though horses can raise your prices by a bit).

Does having pets increase home insurance?

Owning a specific breed can raise your homeowners insurance premium. Because certain dog breeds are known to bite and create other liabilities, there's a greater chance that you would need to file an insurance claim. Your insurance company raises your rate to compensate for that potential claim and payout.

Does homeowners insurance cover cat damage?

Similarly, most homeowners insurance policies exclude coverage for damage caused by a pet or domestic animal (as well as insects and rodents) to structures on your property, such as your house or fence.

Why does home insurance ask about pets?

Does breed matter? Yes, the breed of your dog does often matters to your homeowners insurance company. Statistically, certain dog breeds are responsible for a higher number of dog bites and some insurance companies go by the statistics to determine the risk to insure. This is how breed restrictions are created.

Do I really need insurance for my cat?

Every pet owner should consider pet insurance. Even if you believe you have enough money to cover veterinary costs, pet insurance could still save you thousands of dollars if your pet gets sick or injured. Especially if you have multiple pets, your out-of-pocket costs could add up considerably without insurance.

Pets can affect homeowners insurance

42 related questions found

Is it worth getting pet insurance for an indoor cat?

Indoor cats have a higher risk of certain health issues than outdoor cats. The cost of pet care typically increases with age. Indoor cat insurance promotes routine care that can increase longevity in pets.

How much is cat insurance a month?

Average cost of cat insurance

They cost an average of $6 to $38.53 per month, depending on the cat's breed and plan type. Learn more about how to shop for pet insurance and which pet insurance coverage types are best for your needs.

Can the color of your car affect insurance?

You may have heard red cars are more expensive to insure. But, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the color of the car you drive does not affect the price of auto insurance. Here are some of the factors that help determine your auto premium and what to look for when shopping for car insurance.

Does having a pit bull raise your insurance?

Pit bulls are among the dog breeds that some home insurance companies consider high risk due to potential attacks. This may lead to higher policy rates.

Why is homeowners insurance so expensive?

In addition to industry-wide price increases, your home insurance quotes may also be high because of your credit, a home's age and value, construction type, location, and exposure to catastrophes, among other factors.

What is considered pet damage?

Pet damage can include things like excessive pet hair left at the property or urine stains in the carpet or carpet pad. These things are relatively easy to fix, but sometimes hard to spot. At Good Life, we understand that some owners may be hesitant to accept pets due to the potential damage they may cause.

Does renters insurance cover cat pee?

Renters insurance usually doesn't cover pet damage

Renters insurance only offers personal property damage coverage for “covered perils,” like fire or theft. Damages caused by your pets are not considered a covered peril.

Can you claim insurance for pet damage?

Unless you have dedicated pet damage cover, chances are you won't be able to claim on your home insurance if your pet damages your property. Most insurers specifically exclude the most common ways pets can mess up your home.

What is considered a bite history?

What does a bite history mean? When we say an animal has a “bite history” it generally means the animal has bitten a human or another animal and broken skin.

What breed of dogs are not covered by homeowners insurance?

The most common types of dog breeds that are not allowed on most homeowners insurance include Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Akitas, Siberian Huskies, Mastiffs, and more. Insurance companies do not want to risk insuring these breeds as they tend to be aggressive, which would result in more expenses for the company.

Are coyotes in the dog family?

All 34 species in the Canidae family—which includes domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals, and dingoes—use their noses to find food, track one another's whereabouts, and identify competitors, as well as potential predators. A dog's nose is also important for temperature control.

Why are German shepherds on the restricted breed list?

Different jurisdictions have different definitions. German Shepherds are often targeted by these laws because they're commonly used as protection or in military/law enforcement work. In my opinion, this gives many breeds the undeserved reputation of being automatically labeled as aggressive.

Who was the first pet in America to be insured?

In 1982, the first pet insurance policy was sold in the United States, and issued to television's Lassie by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI).

What is the safest car color?

White. We've referenced the safest color car on the road. That color is white. White cars are 12 percent less likely to be involved in an accident than black cars at any time of the day under any conditions.

What car has the highest insurance rate?

What are the most expensive cars to insure in 2021? The most expensive car to insure in 2021 is the Maserati Quattroporte, which costs an average of $419 per month — or a whopping $5,024 annually. That's 239% more than the national average premium for auto insurance.

Does the age of a car affect insurance?

How does age affect my car insurance premiums? Age is one of the more significant factors that insurers look at when they calculate car insurance policies. Generally, younger drivers have less experience at the wheel than older drivers and so are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident.

Does pet insurance increase with age?

The premiums on most policies skyrocket as the pets get older. Rates double by the time a puppy or kitten reaches 4- or 5-years-old and might actually need expensive veterinary care,” Brasler told NBC News BETTER. “Most pet owners will understandably drop coverage once they have to pay more than $200 a month for it.”

How does zip code affect pet insurance?

Zip Code

The more it costs to live in an area, the more money you can expect to spend on pet insurance. The cost of living index uses 100 as the average in U.S. cities. You can use the index to determine how expensive it is to live in your city. For example, the cost of living in New York City is 209.

How do pet insurance know about pre existing conditions?

Medical history reviews are what an insurance company will require before determining what your coverage will cost and whether your dog has any pre-existing conditions that they won't cover. This usually includes an exam by the veterinarian and a review of records of the dog's health.

Why are female cats cheaper insurance?

The sex of your pet can also influence the cost of insurance cover, for example male cats are often more expensive to insure than females as they are more prone to suffering from blocked bladders.