Will Your Dog Influence Your Eligibility for New Hampshire Homeowners Insurance?
Dogs may be man’s best friend, but in terms of liability, they can also become a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Accounting for more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims, dog bites cost homeowners $413 million in 2010, the Insurance Information Institute reports.
From loyalty to companionship, there are many benefits of owning a dog, but before you add a four-legged friend to your family, you should familiarize yourself with the different dog breeds and how they can influence your eligibility for NH homeowners insurance, as well as your rates.
The most recent relevant study, a September 2000 Vet Med Today Special Report, found that more than 300 dog-bite related fatalities occurred over the 20-year period between 1979 and 1998. Among the 238 incidents in which breed information was available, the top types of dogs responsible included:
- Pit-bull type (76 bites)
- Rottweiler (44 bites)
- German Shepherd Dog (27 bites)
- Husky-type (21 bites)
- Malamute (15 bites)
Although every insurance company’s guidelines differ, two of these five dog breeds are commonly found on most prohibited dog lists: Pit bull and Rottweiler. In addition, Akita, and Chow Chow also frequently appear on the lists.
Need NH Homeowners Insurance that Will Cover Your Dog(s)? Get a Free Quote Today!
Like other important family decisions, adopting a dog requires a significant amount of research beforehand. It’s never a bad idea to call your insurance agent before adopting a pet, to determine whether it will influence your coverage. At Eaton & Berube, we are independent insurance agents representing a variety of reputable insurance companies, and can accommodate homeowners with many different dog breeds. In addition to Nashua where our office is located, we are also pleased to provide homeowners insurance in Hudson, Hollis, Brookline, Litchfield, Amherst, Milford, Merrimack, Bedford, Manchester, Concord, Goffstown, Derry, Salem, Londonderry, Windham, Wilton, Mont Vernon, and all of New Hampshire.
For more information about NH homeowners insurance and dog breeds, and to find out if your dog, or a potential dog you’d like to add to your family, will influence your eligibility for coverage, call us today at 603-882-2766 or click here to submit our online quote form.
