You may find it difficult to find adequate liability insurance if you have a breed of dog as a pet that insurance companies consider difficult, aggressive, or prone to biting. You will want to check with your homeowners insurance company to ensure that you have the proper liability coverage and that you are not exempt from coverage because you own a breed of dog that is disallowed by your insurance company’s policies. Depending on what breed of dog you own, where you live and your insurance company, it could be difficult to buy home insurance that includes liability for your dog.

According to The Humane Society, approximately 39% of Americans own at least one dog. The CDC estimates that more than one million people are bitten by dogs every year and almost one million require medical care as a result of their bites. Insurance companies in the United States estimate that they continue to lose more than $400 million each year to claims resulting from dog bites, and the number continues to rise each year faster than the rate of inflation.

Dog biting lawsuits are one of the largest threats that homeowners face. Each year, dog bites account for at least 33% of the claims that homeowners file with their insurance companies. Because of that threat, many home insurance companies have become increasingly restrictive on the policies they write and the types of dog breeds they will accept liability for. Some of the breeds that insurance companies often deem as dangerous include pit bulls, rottweilers, huskies, pinschers, boxers, and several others.

Some insurance companies can void your homeowners insurance or deny a claim if you own a specific breed. It is important to know exactly which breeds are off limits and expressly forbidden by your homeowners insurance company. You can request a copy of the company policy, or it may be specifically listed in your homeowners insurance policy. Some states have passed laws making it illegal for insurance companies do deny coverage based solely on the type of dog that you own. Most insurance companies ask homeowners about their pets when first issuing an insurance policy. It is important to let your insurance company know if things change with your household such as the addition of a new dog. Letting your insurance company know that you added a pet to your home will help you to know if you are still provided with your current liability coverage under your traditional homeowners policy. You do not want to find out after an incident that you are not covered. You may be asked about your dog’s history of biting by your insurance company. They use your answers to help determine how much they will charge you for your premium or whether they can insure you for that specific liability.