Disclaimer: I did a board search within the past year and although I found some good information on homeowner's insurance with the breeds of dogs we have a tendency to own here, my question wasn't answered.

I --may-- be adding a one-year-old rescue Staffordshire Bull Terrier to my household within the next couple of weeks. We are currently insured with a company that will not take on NEW CLIENTS with "pit bulls", GSDs, Rotts, etc. -- and Yorkies, I kid you not, Yorkies are on the no-insure list. EXISTING clients who get these breeds are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

I'm just curious as to what is the best way to convince the company that my Staffie will not eat small children, terrorize the neighbors, etc. I want to use my current dog as an example... although she's not a "big scary maneater uninsurable" breed, she passed her Temperament Test with a 96/100, has her CGC, passed the TDI test with flying colors, and has several agility titles. I intend to do all of the same with this new dog including the Temperament Test and CGC test within the next six months.

(This is all -if- we adopt the dog, but I have the distinct feeling that this homeowner's insurance crap might end up being a pretty big stick in the mud.)

I am insured by Commerce Insurance Company; they are local only to MA and NH.

Katherine, did the insurance company elaborate on what they are looking for in those "case by cases basises" (I don't know the plural for basis :blush? Do they have some sort of evaluation by a qualified behaviorist, or are they looking specifically for things like titles and passing temperment tests?

I'd say, as far as personal history goes, you've proved yourself a responsible handler/owner with your first dog (even though she is not a "threatening" breed, most pet owners don't go to the trouble of training and testing their animals to such an extent) and that should stand you in pretty good stead when it comes down to case by case.

That said, if they have a written rule and actual breed list regarding coverage exclusion for "dangerous" dogs, and you get one of those dogs, you're really at their mercy for negotiation... unfortunately.

Has the dog been temperment tested at all already? Is there anything working in the dog's favor (or against), in addition to you obviously being a proven responsible owner?

~Natalya

Sent you a PM, Katherine.

I'd just get a different insurance company and tell them that is why I'm switching. Of course that's just me - I tend to be an obnoxious advocate.

Good for you taking this dog. I'd be interested in hearing its story if you feel like PMing me ; )

We switched when we adopted our staffie x. I didnt see a reason to support a company that discriminated based on breed.

As far as case by case, I thought it was liberty mutual who we talked to who said they would cover us as long as he had a CGC, so that might be a good place to start. Or cant you just call them and ask?

Well, I'd switch on principle, but I'm obnoxious .

How about telling them that your dog is NOT a Pit Bull, as it is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, not an American Pit Bull Terrier? "Pit Bull" is not a slang term like so many would like to use it as.... It's a shortened name for ONE breed-the APBT. I guess telling the insurance company this may still fall under obnoxious , but it's true.

This BSL and discrimination has gotten ridiculous. I read one requirement for occupancy of a sundivision that prohibited any dog with a "scissor bite" or "a thin tail that appears to be similar to that of any pitbull-type dog." Until we stand up and tell these companies/agencies (by not using them!) that we won't tolerate it, it'll get worse and worse until we are nearly uninsurable. I wouldn't even validate their ridiculousness by trying to convince them that your dog is not a concern; I'd simply tell them to accept the dog or kindly cancel your policy. I know, I know, easier said than done, but if we don't all start doing that, these laws/policies are just going to get worse.

I'll be damned if an insurance company is going to tell me which dogs I may or not share my home with.

I have State Farm, but they haven't even asked me about dogs in 2 years. I believe they go on a claims/bites policy anyhow, which is fair.

I know you do not have total control on this, but I would switch as quickly as I could, and then post/tell/e-mail everywhere I could. Shout it from the roof tops. It's the only way we can fight back against this discrimination.

Well, I think their CGC policy is actually totally reasonable -- I just wish it included ALL breeds! If everyone took the time to teach their dog some basic obedience, we wouldn't have many of the issues we do now...

i've had all types of dogs. Some looked ferocious but actually were teddy bears. I say leave the dog breeds alone and ban the bad dog owners. Sure there are some dogs that are not stable but someone made them that way. I hate when the masses suffer due to the actions of a few.