"Don't Bark Don't Tell":
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A dirty little secret...
Very few people would expect that getting a dog would put their homeowners insurance in jeopardy, but in Massachusetts, that very often is the case. What many insurers would prefer you didn't know is this:
What breeds are affected?
The following breeds are on one or more "restricted" lists for ten of the top MA insurers:
Akita - Alaskan Malamute - American Bull Dog - American Pit Bull Terrier - American Staffordshire Terrier - Beauceron - Bull Mastiff - Cane Corso - Caucasian Ovcharka (Mountain Dog) - Chow Chow - Dalmatian - Doberman Pinscher - Eskimo Spitz - German Shepherd - Giant Schnauzer - Golden Retriever - Great Dane - Husky - Korean Jindo - Pit Bull - Portuguese Fila - Presa Canario - Rhodesian Ridgeback - Rottweiler - Saint Bernard - Shiba Inu - Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Thai Ridgeback - Wolf or Wolf Hybrid...
"or any dog containing or resembling any of these breeds".
"Any dog containing or resembling any of these breeds". So beautifully, purposefully vague.
Through a Freedom of Information Act request I obtained the registered dog list for my hometown. 37% of the dogs were on one or more restricted breed lists. (This included mixed breed dogs but did not include "named" mixed breeds such as Labradoodles and Puggles.)
It is not in the financial best interest of insurance agents to ask or know about your "restricted" dog.
As soon as an agent knows you have a "restricted" dog, the options they have for selling you a policy become limited or non-existent. So to make the sale (and therefore their commission), some agents neglect to ask or suggest that you lie in order to get coverage, without fully explaining what liability that opens you up to.
What is being done?
There are bills currently before the MA Financial Services Committee to amend the law so that this kind of discrimination will no longer be legal. These bills are supported by the Humane Society of the United States , MSPCA Animal Action Team, Animal Rescue League of Boston, ASPCA, and Best Friends Animal Society among others. Learn more about the bills here.
Very few people would expect that getting a dog would put their homeowners insurance in jeopardy, but in Massachusetts, that very often is the case. What many insurers would prefer you didn't know is this:
- Most MA insurers have a "restricted breed list". Having a dog on the list including "any dog containing or resembling any of these breeds" can be reason for denial of coverage, cancellation or lack of renewal.
- There is no standardized list: different carriers restrict different breeds. Some restrict just a few, others as many as 22 breeds (and again, any dog containing or resembling any of these breeds).
- If your dog's breed is on the list and you do not disclose the dog's breed, in the event of claim it will likely not be honored, but if you do disclose it, you will probably lose coverage. Catch 22.
- It is in the insurance companies' best interest not to know so they can play both sides to their own advantage.
What breeds are affected?
The following breeds are on one or more "restricted" lists for ten of the top MA insurers:
Akita - Alaskan Malamute - American Bull Dog - American Pit Bull Terrier - American Staffordshire Terrier - Beauceron - Bull Mastiff - Cane Corso - Caucasian Ovcharka (Mountain Dog) - Chow Chow - Dalmatian - Doberman Pinscher - Eskimo Spitz - German Shepherd - Giant Schnauzer - Golden Retriever - Great Dane - Husky - Korean Jindo - Pit Bull - Portuguese Fila - Presa Canario - Rhodesian Ridgeback - Rottweiler - Saint Bernard - Shiba Inu - Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Thai Ridgeback - Wolf or Wolf Hybrid...
"or any dog containing or resembling any of these breeds".
"Any dog containing or resembling any of these breeds". So beautifully, purposefully vague.
Through a Freedom of Information Act request I obtained the registered dog list for my hometown. 37% of the dogs were on one or more restricted breed lists. (This included mixed breed dogs but did not include "named" mixed breeds such as Labradoodles and Puggles.)
It is not in the financial best interest of insurance agents to ask or know about your "restricted" dog.
As soon as an agent knows you have a "restricted" dog, the options they have for selling you a policy become limited or non-existent. So to make the sale (and therefore their commission), some agents neglect to ask or suggest that you lie in order to get coverage, without fully explaining what liability that opens you up to.
What is being done?
There are bills currently before the MA Financial Services Committee to amend the law so that this kind of discrimination will no longer be legal. These bills are supported by the Humane Society of the United States , MSPCA Animal Action Team, Animal Rescue League of Boston, ASPCA, and Best Friends Animal Society among others. Learn more about the bills here.
So what are my options as a dog owner with a "restricted" dog?
While we wait for the laws to change, here are the options for Massachusetts homeowners based on my experience obtaining homeowners insurance for myself and my mixed breed "pit bull" type dogs:
While we wait for the laws to change, here are the options for Massachusetts homeowners based on my experience obtaining homeowners insurance for myself and my mixed breed "pit bull" type dogs:
- Insurance companies that do not discriminate by breed:
- Swyfft Insurance
I have personally verified by phone, email and by reading the actual policy that Swyfft has no breed-specific limitations on coverage. This is the only private carrier from whom I have been able to obtain written proof that they will cover any breed of dog - The Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association
This is the high-risk pool where you can likely obtain coverage regardless of breed. Rates for the "FAIR Plan" are often much higher than rates provided by other companies.
- Swyfft Insurance
- Insurance companies that may have some ability to write for "restricted" dogs:
- Liberty Mutual
After speaking to a call center rep where I asked if they would knowingly insure my "pit bull type dogs", they would not issue me a policy but said that their local branch managers may have more flexibility, especially if I were to transfer my auto coverage to them in addition to my homeowners policy. - Amica
The person I spoke to at their main office said Amica would not knowingly insure my "pit bull" type dogs. I have heard that others with pit bulls have obtained coverage but my experience gives me cause for concern. - Vermont Mutual
The person at their main office told me she didn't know and didn't know how to find out other than by calling a local agent. I called a local agent (who then called Vermont Mutual). I received a call back saying they would not knowingly insure my "pit bull" type dogs. I have heard that others with pit bulls have obtained coverage but my experience gives me cause for concern.
- Liberty Mutual
- Insurance companies that do discriminate by breed and will not insure you if they know you have a "restricted" dog
- Pretty much all other insurance carriers
- Pretty much all other insurance carriers
- Worth mentioning: State Farm does not discriminate by breed but they also do not write homeowners insurance in Massachusetts. Maybe someday they will but for now we're out of luck here.
I am not an insurance agent. I have nothing to gain by pointing anyone in any particular direction when it comes to coverage, except for this: if enough people leave the carriers that discriminate for the carriers that don't, the industry will begin to change through the power of the free market.
Note: If you have had different experiences regarding coverage of your restricted dog, please let be know. I will be happy to edit or modify this article (especially the insurance providers section), but only based on proof. Too many people are being lied to or purposely being under-informed, and often their most valuable asset, their home, is what is at risk as a consequence.
