Table of Contents

Canine Liability Exclusion: What It is, How it Works

By

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Jason Fernando

Updated August 12, 2023

Reviewed by Eric Estevez

Fact checked by

Katrina Munichiello

What Is a Canine Liability Exclusion?

A canine liability exclusion is a type of clause that is often included in homeowners insurance contracts. Its purpose is to release the insurer from any liability relating to inj♛uries or property damage caused by dogs.

Canine liability exclusions are just one of many types oܫf exclusions that can be included in an insurance policy, either in the original document or in the form of a follow-up amendment.

Key Takeaways

A canine liability exclusion is a component of homeowners insurance policies.
An exclusion indemnifies the insurance company against damages caused by the policyholder’s dogs.
Policyholders may be able to specifically purchase insurance for their dogs separately, but this can be expensive, especially if the dog has a history of biting people or causing property damage.

How Canine Liability Exclusions Work

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Homeowners insurance is a popular type of insurance policy that covers claims related to private homes. These types of policies insure against many typical risks faced by homeowners, such as theft or damage due 🥃to water, fire, or vandalism. Some policies only specify certain risks that are covered, but others cover all risks except ꦰthose that are specifically excluded.

The types of risks that might be excluded from coverage under a homeowners insurance policy include large catastrophes such as earthquakes or wars or acts that could be attributed to the owner’s 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:negligence. But other ris🐷ks may also b🦩e excluded, such as exclusions for canine liability.

The need for a canine liability exclusion arose because many insurers felt reluctant to insure homeowners who owned certain breeds of dogs that are considered aggressive. Dogs have the potential to cause property damage or physical injury that could result in lawsuits and substantial liabilities.

Fast Fact

A policyholder who wants to be sure that they're covered for this risk will have to purchase a separate policy or an add-on that provides this coverage. But this would increase their total 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:insurance premiums and꧑ may even require that they o𝐆btain a separate policy from another insurer.

Breeds Excluded From Coverage

Insurance companﷺies have two primaღry options when determining the scope of a canine liability exclusion. In some cases, the insurance company will determine which breeds of dogs are excluded from coverage or it may exclude all dogs by default. In other cases, the insurance company may follow state statutes when determining which breeds are ineligible for coverage.

Some canine breeds such as German shepherds, pit bulls, and Rottweilers are generally considered to be more aggressive and thus riskier. It may be prohibitively e💧xpensive for owners of these breeds to insure their dogs and some insurers may even refuse to insure them altogether. This is especially true if the dog in question has a history of having bitten people or having caused other forms of damage.

What Dogs Are Most Likely to Be Excluded From Coverage Just Because of Their Breed?

Dogs that are commonly tagged under a canine liability exclusion include Labrador retrievers, pit bulls, Dobermans, German shepherds, and Rottweilers.

What Insurers Are Willing to Make Case-by-Case Decisions Rather Than Just Exclude Certain Breeds?

MSPCA-Angell lists State Farm, Liberty Mutual, Chubb, Amica, Nationwide, and USAA as insurers that are willing to determine insurability based on a homeowner's personal circumstances and their pets.

What Are Some Other Pets That Are Commonly Excluded?

Progressive cites exotic animals like snakes as well as farm and "saddle" animals such as horses as often being excluded from coverages related to them. Some insurers will refuse to even issue a separate policy or add-on for these types of animals.

The Bottom Line

Dogs are referred to as man's best friend for good reason. Being denied insurance coverage due to your beloved pup living in your home can be horrifying, but you don't have to face the heartbreak of putting your pet up for adoption. Your best bet in this case is to shop around for a policy that best suits your needs and those of your canine family member. Insurers are out there who are willing to come to your rescue.

Article Sources

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