Do I have to tell my home insurance I have dogs?

Yes, you must tell your homeowners insurance company if you have a dog.

Why You Must Disclose Your Dog

• Coverage Protection: Your personal liability coverage will only pay for third-party injuries or bites if the insurer knows about the pet.
• Claim Denial Risk: If you hide your dog and it bites someone, the company can deny the entire claim or cancel your policy for misrepresentation.
• Breed Rules: Many companies restrict specific breeds like Pit Bulls or Rottweilers, so disclosure ensures you actually have valid coverage.

What Happens Next

• Cost Changes: Adding a pet may increase your annual rate by $50 to $200+ depending on the breed and your location.
• Policy Updates: If you adopt a new animal, you must report the change to avoid gaps in your protection.

Yes, having a dog can cause your homeowners insurance rates to increase, or it can affect your coverage in other ways.

How Dogs Impact Insurance

• Higher Premiums: Adding a dog can raise your annual costs by $50 to $200 or more, depending on the animal and the insurance company.
• Liability Claims: Standard policies cover dog bites under personal liability, but bite claims cost insurers billions of dollars each year.
• Breed Restrictions: Certain breeds are labeled as high-risk by many companies, which can lead to higher rates, policy exclusions, or outright denial of coverage.
• Commonly Restricted Breeds: Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Akitas, and Chow Chows frequently trigger higher rates or restrictions.
• Bite History: If a dog has a recorded history of biting or aggression, insurers may charge more, exclude the dog, or refuse to renew the policy.

You can read more about company policies and risk categories through guides like Progressive or financial overviews on Business Insider.

Certain dog breeds can raise your insurance rates, lead to liability exclusions, or cause a company to deny your homeowners insurance policy.

Commonly Restricted Dog Breeds

Insurance companies often restrict specific breeds due to historical bite claims and liability statistics. Commonly restricted breeds include:

• Pit Bulls and Staffordshire Terriers
• Rottweilers
• Doberman Pinschers
• German Shepherds
• Chow Chows
• Akitas
• Wolf Hybrids
• Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes
• Great Danes and Mastiffs
• Presa Canarios and Cane Corsos

How Breeds Impact Coverage

• Higher Premiums: Insurers may charge more to offset the statistical risk of a bite claim.
• Liability Exclusions: The policy covers your home, but explicitly excludes any damage or injuries caused by your dog.
• Policy Denial: Some companies refuse to issue or renew a policy if a restricted breed lives on the property.

What You Can Do

• Disclose Honestly: Hiding your dog's breed can result in the insurer canceling your policy or denying a future claim.
• Shop Around: Breed-neutral companies like State Farm evaluate dogs based on individual behavior and bite history rather than breed.
• Provide Training Proof: Certifications like the Canine Good Citizen can sometimes help secure coverage.

Avoid guessing, speculating, or admitting any fault when speaking to your homeowners insurance company or adjuster.

When filing a claim or talking with an adjuster, your words can be used to minimize or deny your payout. Protect your claim by avoiding these common statements and habits:

Phrases and Statements to Avoid

• "I think" or "It might have been...": Never guess or speculate about the cause, timeline, or extent of the damage. Stick strictly to proven, observable facts. Guessing introduces doubt that the insurer can use against you.
• "It’s not that bad" or "It's minor": Downplaying the damage can lead the adjuster to write a low initial estimate that does not cover full repairs.
• "I'm sorry" or admitting fault: Never apologize or accept responsibility for an incident. Even a casual apology can be misconstrued as an admission of negligence, which can void coverage.
• "I don't have receipts or an inventory": Admitting right away that you lack records or proof makes it harder to claim high-value items. Take time to gather your documents first.
• Guessing about pre-existing wear: If an adjuster points out older wear and tear, do not immediately agree that it was old damage. State clearly that you rely on a professional inspection to determine the exact cause and scope.

Important Rules for Communication

• Keep it factual: Stick only to what you can visually prove with photos, videos, and professional assessments.
• Don't rush recorded statements: If the insurance company pressures you for a recorded statement immediately after a loss, ask for time to review your policy or consider consulting a professional.
• Get everything in writing: Never rely on verbal promises from an adjuster. Ask for all agreements, settlements, and explanations in writing.

Yes, a homeowners insurance company can drop you or refuse to renew your policy if your dog bites someone.

Why Insurers Drop You After a Bite

• High Risk: A dog bite creates a liability claim, and average claim costs exceed $65,000.
• Repeat Incidents: If your dog has a history of biting or if you file multiple claims, insurers view your home as high-risk.
• Restricted Breeds: Some companies maintain strict lists of banned or restricted breeds (such as Pit Bulls or Rottweilers). If they discover your dog is on that list after an incident, they may cancel coverage.
• Undisclosed Pets: Failing to inform your insurer about your dog when you buy the policy can lead to immediate cancellation or a denied claim.

What Happens Next

• Rate Increases: Even if you are not dropped, your Policygenius rates will likely increase after a dog bite claim.
• Policy Exclusion: Some insurers might offer to keep your policy active only if you sign an exclusion rider stating they will not cover any future incidents involving your dog.