Printed from BusinessInsurance.com

Home insurers don’t play with dog breeds

Posted On: Apr. 14, 2021 1:37 PM CST

pit bull

Pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers are the top three dog breeds banned by homeowners insurers, according to a recent analysis of 42 insurers by Forbes Magazine, which wrote that “aside from natural disasters and water, the three things that give home insurance companies agita are dogs, pools and trampolines.”

“Basically anything fun,” the magazine quipped.

According to the analysis, expensive liability claims against the dog owners are a growing concern, as homeowners insurance pays out for dog bites or other dog-related injuries. And the average dog bite claim can cost about $44,760, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

To help manage risks, insurers are increasingly banning certain breeds — cases where the insurer won’t provide coverage if a customer owns the breed.

While the bigger dogs made the top of the list, a surprisingly little dog made the cut: 5% of companies ban Weimaraners.