Home Insurance: Home owner insurance restrictions for dogs owners.


In recent years, many homeowners have found themselves unable to
get homeowner insurance.

Some have had their insurance cancelled,
based solely on the breed of a dog.
The fact is that since the mid-1990s the growing popularity of
aggressive breeds has resulted in a drastic increase in incidents.
Dog attacks have become the biggest single cause of
home policy claims, with costs
running to more than $300 million a year.
Consequently home insurance company policies have become
increasingly restrictive about insuring households with
dogs.


If you are a dog owner here are a few tips on how to improve
your chances of getting and keeping your homeowner insurance:
- Enroll your dog in obedience classes and work on helping the
dog earn a diploma. Consider taking your dog to obtain Canine Good
Citizen certification.
- Neuter male dogs: this step can significantly
reduce dominance problems and some other types of aggression.
- Make sure your dog gets lots of appropriate
exercise.


Dogs with predatory or herding
instincts need to channel those inherent tendencies in socially
acceptable ways.
- Keep dogs on leash or in a fully,
physically fenced area when outside. That will keep
dogs from running after animals and
people.
- Never leave young
children alone with your
dog.


- Be watchful or how your guests behave around animals. There
are a few basic safeguards to follow. For example, don't disturb
dogs while sleeping or eating.
Don't bother mother dogs who are with their puppies.


Don't tease or yell around dogs. Stay away from chained
dogs. By the way, chaining tends to
aggravate and frustrate dogs, increasing the chances of aggressive
behavior.
- Be aware of the signals that you yourself send to your dog.


For example, if you are nervous, that can make your dog nervous. If
you are not confident around strangers, do not walk your dog near
strangers.
Dog owners should be aware that an insurance company could
potentially find a way to impose a dog exclusion or cancel a
policy, depending on the municipality's vicious dog laws (invoked
if a dog has bitten) or any breed bans in place. For example, an
insurance company could cite exclusions in a homeowner's policy
about not covering damage or injury caused by a dog who was not
supposed to be in the county.


When contemplating the purchase of a new home be also aware that
a few homeowners associations have enacted or attempted to enact
rules and regulations that discriminate against certain dog
breeds.
Mark Van Neem
Catalogue: Finance | Insurance
Title: Home Insurance: Home owner insurance restrictions for dogs
owners. By: Mark Van Neem

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