Do Rottweilers Raise Homeowner's Insurance?

Large canines such as German shepherds, pit bulls, Doberman pinschers, and rottweilers tend to freeze people in their tracks. According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog attack incidents involving certain breeds are rising. In 2010, they accounted for over one-third of all liability claims paid by homeowner's insurance. Call your homeowner's insurance agent before choosing a breeder if you're considering adopting a Rottweiler.

About Rottweilers

Rottweiler care websites and breeders praise the dog's even temperament and family-friendliness, but the Rottie is also tenacious, which is why police, military, and customs agents prefer them to guard and defend. A Rottweiler is socialized and trained as a puppy and typically makes a gentle pet. In contrast, the breed is loyal, and if a Rottweiler perceives its family is in danger, it can be aggressive against strangers.

Insurance Threat

Tim Grant, a writer for the "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette," is knowledgeable about the impact of dog breeds on insurance prices. As an insurance agent, he hears dog bite claims totaling millions of dollars each year. "Each state has its insurance laws, and each insurer has its own underwriting rules," he writes. Even within states, no two businesses are identical. Grant identifies "dangerous dog" terms in insurance plans and discovers that certain insurers blacklist particular breeds. According to Loretta Worters of the Insurance Information Institute, a dog breed is likely to be blacklisted if it results in excessive claims.

Refusal List

Homeowner's insurance underwriters are most likely to deny claims for oversized dogs with larger claims than average. These are pit bulls, rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, and German shepherds; hence, expect a fee increase or denial of coverage if you own one. You also cannot conceal your Rottie. Jeff McCarthy, an insurance agent in Woburn, Massachusetts, explains that insurers inquire about the presence of pets on the firm's blacklist. If a homeowner is uncooperative, the company can legitimately deny a claim or, in extreme situations, terminate the policy.

Coverage

If your homeowner's insurance provider is receptive to Rottweiler families, you may expect to acquire between $100,000 and $300,000 in liability coverage to handle any claims that may emerge from your dog. If a claim exceeds your liability limit, you are responsible for paying damages and legal fees. You may also lose coverage if your Rottweiler is involved in a biting incident. Particular insurers perceive certain dog types similarly to how they view swimming pools: as a liability risk.

Browse Around

Adding a Rottweiler puppy or adult to the family may require you to hunt for a new homeowner's policy if you learn that your current insurer engages in breed discrimination. You may discover that your premium skyrockets after adopting "Buster." According to Bankrate.com, "some insurers have denied homeowners insurance to individuals only because their dog was deemed risky." Therefore, compare policies until you discover one that is both affordable and Rottweiler-friendly.