Weekend Insurance Tip: Get a "Mutt" to Make Your Insurance Agent Happy
Saturday November 8, 2008
Homeowners with high-risk dog breeds may have a hard time qualifying for a homeowners insurance policy. Current policyholders may be paying more to own a high-risk breed or have to face the risk of possibly being dropped after a liability claim from a dog incidence.
So what is a dog owner to do? Avoid the problem altogether and get a mutt! The local animal shelter has plenty of good dogs to choose from and with a mutt you should not have any problems getting insurance. Find out more ways to deal with a high-risk insurance dog at Dangerous Dog Breed? You May Be Refused for Insurance
Comments
While I’m all about pet adoption, this is not a good way to deal with the “dangerous breed” insurance issue.
First, the animal shelter does not offer “mutts.” Because of the computer programs used by shelters to track animals, shelter workers must categorize incoming dogs as one or two predominant breeds. They typically do this via a visual assessment of the dog (looking at it and guessing). So you do not see “mutts” available at a shelter; you will see “Lab mix” or “Sheltie/Collie mix” or “Terrier mix” and so forth.
Second, what the animal shelter says the dog is may not really be what the dog is. Dog owners can easily change vet records and city registration paperwork if they feel that their mixed-breed dog is some breed other than what the shelter says it is.
Third, pit bulls and other breeds that may be problematic with insurance are extremely common at shelters. If you are suggesting that people avoid adopting these dogs, then you are essentially turning your back on them when they are in desperate need of help. People should be encouraged to adopt a dog that has been individually evaluated and determined to fit into one’s lifestyle.
And fourth, the insurance company really doesn’t care what the animal shelter or vet says your dog is. If an insurance evaluator comes to your house, sees your dog, and thinks it might be one of the prohibited breeds, that’s the end of discussion. It doesn’t matter if you can provide reams of evidence that your dog is a “mutt” or a mixed-breed or whatever. What the insurance agent says, goes.
Fact is, while some insurance companies can be fussy about certain types of dogs, there are lots of insurance companies out there. The best solution is to adopt a dog that suits your family and your lifestyle, then go out and find a different insurance company if need be.
Do you really want to give your hard-earned money to a company that discriminates against people based on the way their dog looks? Not me!
I rescued a pit bull, dumped my discriminatory insurance company, found a company that welcomes all dog owners, and saved a ton of money in the process.