Comments on: Dogs and Homeowners Insurance

By: Ernesto

Ernesto — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:48:06 +0000

Hey Leah, I have a new job for you: You can drive around and stick your leg in front of pitbulls, rottweilers, and dobermans to see if you get bitten.

By: Leah

Leah — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:53:39 +0000

I know that insurers don’t want to loose money but they should ask those questions they use to assess what the dog was like but they should also meet the dog and see if it shows aggression or not, instead of saying that “pitbulls, rotweilers and dobermans aren’t allowed” when u never met the dog. the breed means nothing, its the dog itself’s temperment u need 2 watch for. that way its a win-win situation, and less negativity towards an innocent animal.

By: Ellen Bingham

Ellen Bingham — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:40:03 +0000

People who know (and I mean real knowledge) anything at all about dogs know that in virtually every instance, it’s the owner’s negligence or ignorance and not any particular breed. There are breeds whose temperaments will more likely be aggressive if the owners don’t know enough to socialize them with people, animals, and situations diligently and often. Or if the owners are just too lazy to do it. But pit bulls are not one of the aggressive ones. They have to be forced to be or their energy has to be confined for them to become protective. Most pit bulls don’t “succeed” as fighting dogs, for instance, and instead become bait dogs, because they are too docile. I agree that insurers have to be careful, but the focus is totally in the wrong place. You have to be careful of insuring a dog owner who is not a good dog owner–no matter how nice or how rich they are, if they don’t SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE their dog all the time, their dog probably is a poor risk. Like the only two dogs in my 60 years who bit kids in the face and maimed them were labs who were kept home all the time. I am thankful to my insurance company for insuring me and my pit bull, and they’ll insure any dog who has a clean record, but no dog who doesn’t. But judging ahead of time on breed is just plain stupid business.

By: Myron

Myron — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:04:31 +0000

I’m trying to determine if Cane Corso is a dog considered aggressive. I’ve asked several landlords about them but no one can supply an answer. It is a large dog belonging to the Mastiff class. Please advise if possible. Thanks.

By: P.Mac

P.Mac — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 02:32:40 +0000

I have owned Four Rottweilers. I am a responsbile owner. There are many who own Rottweilers that, when it comes to this breed, have the IQ of an ashtray. I do see the Insurance companies point of View, I also see mine. I have been bitten three times…By small dogs. I think the Insurance companies should insure someone who owns what is listed as a vicious dog, as long as the person has some kind of documentation and then see if the person has ever had a judgement against them for a dog related incident. And then maybe have a rep from the company come out and take a look at who they are issuing the policy to. Rottwilers ARE great dogs, Their Loyalty is second to none!

By: Constance Ross

Constance Ross — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:19:17 +0000

Alright, one has to admit that in this land of “nanny state” this new regulation of the “insurance LIST” is completely absurd. I own a Giant Alaskan Malamute, properly trained, well behaved, never bitten a sole. My insurance company told me that he was a Wolf Hybrid and they were declining my policy. So, all you insurance people out there with all your info and lawyers YOU NEED TO GET SOME VETS working with your companies. My dog is a full bred Alaskan Malamute, not a WOLF. If my dog is a Wolf Hybrid than ALL DOGS are too…. because, they all share the gene.

If your gonna charge more, fine, but get your facts straight and stop the unfair practices. I’m over 40 and I’ve had homeowners for over 20 years with NO claims. That’s a whole lotta $$$ they have gotten from me, only to cut me off at this point. Big Banks, and now Insurance Companies…. its good to be king, right?

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:58:31 +0000

This whole argument is ridiculous about APBTs. I have 2, a father and daughter, they love kids and other people. I have never heard them growl or try to bite anyone. My female is best friends with a pug. Any dog, no matter what breed, will bite. If you look at the American Temperament Test Society website; it shows the breed and the pass rate on there. There is also a site that states this: “Pit Bulls attack more people than any other breed.” Bite statistics are difficult to obtain accurately. Dogs that are referred to as “pit bulls” in statistical reports actually are a variety of breeds and mixes all lumped
together under the “pit bull” heading. Also, many people have a difficult time properly identifying a true Pit Bull, so added to the statistics are those dogs that have been misidentified.” I am not here to argue with anyone; but I think it should be looked at per dog; not the whole breed. I mean if someone was convicted as a murderer, should the whole family serve life in prison?? Thank you.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:35:32 +0000

Don’t blame the insurance companies, blame our judicial system. Person breaks into your house - gets his/her face chewed off by your dog - then turns around and sues you for injuries!? That’s messed up! Until that changes, the ones (insurers) paying the claims should have every right to decide what is and what is not an acceptable risk!

By: Thomas Williams

Thomas Williams — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:47:30 +0000

It is totally ridiculous to blame the breed,and not consider how it is trained, socalized, cared for, etc.

Many, probably most,so called ‘pit bull’ bites are not from pure bred pit bull terriers. They are from mixed breeds mistaken by people who do not know breeds. Stupid people include dogs as ‘pit breeds’ that have never been involved in the cruel sport of dog fighting; an example is the American Staffordshire Terrier.

Stupid is often incurable.

By: JC

JC — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:52:51 +0000

My younger sister owns a Chiwawa which is not on the banded list, but her dog had bit a few people with broken skin(a friend came to the party, and my newphew, etc.) Luckily, nobody filed a claim against her insurance. I hate that freaking dog so much. She barks so much on everybody even on my sister. This breed should be on the banded list.Go figure!!!