Home Insurance Companies

[ewashkow]

Ok, I've just about had it with my current home owners insurance company. They keep adding to the list of dog breeds that will cancel my policy if I get them. It may just be the person/office I am using since I have State Farm and they are supposedly non breed biased. Any suggestions?

 

[tes218]

Ok, I've just about had it with my current home owners insurance company. They keep adding to the list of dog breeds that will cancel my policy if I get them. It may just be the person/office I am using since I have State Farm and they are supposedly non breed biased. Any suggestions?

I've had to deal with this also for my Chow. Check out this link, scroll down to read about MD. Dog Friendly Insurance Companies
I contacted Nationwide once to ask them and at first they said certain dogs were restricted. When pressed as to how they could do that based on the fact that breed discrimination is illegal in MD they first became quiet and then said they would call me back. The next day I received a call that they spoke with their underwriter and were told they had to follow the state law and they would give me coverage. This occurred about 1 year ago so don't know if things have changed. Hope this helps.

 

[SoMDGirl42]

I've had to deal with this also for my Chow. Check out this link, scroll down to read about MD. Dog Friendly Insurance Companies
I contacted Nationwide once to ask them and at first they said certain dogs were restricted. When pressed as to how they could do that based on the fact that breed discrimination is illegal in MD they first became quiet and then said they would call me back. The next day I received a call that they spoke with their underwriter and were told they had to follow the state law and they would give me coverage. This occurred about 1 year ago so don't know if things have changed. Hope this helps.

Interesting. I've taken the liberty of copying that information to put here so they don't have to follow the link. I have State Farm. I was told that if I have so much as one claim against my dogs, I will be dropped. Period. It still blows my mind that if someone breaks into my house and my dog attacks protecting me, I am liable for damages. That's just insane. I can't even push the piece of shiat down the stairs, if he falls and breaks his neck, I pay. Laws need to be changed to protect the homeowers.

Pet Friendly Insurance Companies
Below is a list of insurance companies that are reported to not discriminate against homeowners based upon the breed of dog that they own:


Allstate
Chubb Group
Erie
Farmers Insurance Group
Fireman's Fund
Kemper
Liberty Mutual
Safeco Corp
State Farm
Travelers
United Services Automobile Association
The Lester Kalmanson Agency Inc. (407-645-5000) specializes in animal-related liability policies.

The Maryland Insurance Department went to Court to strike down dog breed-specific insurance restrictions. Some Maryland insurance companies still try to enforce such restrictions on their Homeowners and Liability policies. Those restrictions are directed at the owners of breeds such as Rottweilers, “pit bulls” and “shepherds”. Any Maryland homeowner receiving a cancellation letter from their insurance company that would exclude insurance coverage based solely on the breed of dog that they own, and if their dog has not bitten anyone, or a claim been filed against their policy, the homeowner should contact the Maryland Insurance Administration immediately at 410-468-2000 or 1-800-492-6116 and file a written protest. Breed discrimination against policy holders by insurance companies is illegal in Maryland.

 

[ewashkow]

So, if I'm reading this right, I just need to call State Farm and question why they ban certatin breeds since that is an illegal practice in MD. That might be enough to get them to drop all the breed bans they have in place currently on my policy.

Thanks!

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Any suggestions?

Don't tell them you have a dog.

 

[krazd_kat]

So, if I'm reading this right, I just need to call State Farm and question why they ban certatin breeds since that is an illegal practice in MD. That might be enough to get them to drop all the breed bans they have in place currently on my policy.

Thanks!

State Farm isn't supposed to have any breed bans regardless of what state, but that "some" agents may refuse to cover certain breeds. My sister sells for State Farm in Oklahoma and the only thing they are supposed to ask is "has the dog ever bit" in which case, even if it's a toothless chihuahua they will deny coverage.

I would call a different State Farm agent and talk to them about how they deal with it and then transfer your account to a different agent.

I also did talk to the insurance commission last summer and they can't find any proof that it is illegal or any proof that it's NOT illegal to do breed bans, but what's amazing is suddenly almost every insurance company we talk to now only says they ban or drop anyone that has a biting dog regardless of breed, and many have stated to us that it's illegal to breed ban on their policies.

I think it's your agent....

 

[SoMDGirl42]

Don't tell them you have a dog.

I think that's one of the questions they ask and you risk getting hammered for fraud if you sign it saying you don't have a dog. But I understand the point Give the dog away to a family member for awhile, and when it doesn't work out, readopt your dog.

 

[QueenB]

Hmm... I also have state farm insurance and all they asked me about my dogs is have they ever bitten anyone, and are they aggressive. And I got coverage. Ive got a Husky, and a Husky/Shephard mix. But who knows maybe it is just the representative you are using...