I am glad to see this board. I was dropped from mine for owning 2 Boxers. I called the company and asked why I was dropped and they said because I "own a breed with aggressive tendencies." I asked who did their study because boxers are not aggressive and AKC does not have them as an aggressive breed. The did not even know who AKC was. I'll find out this company when I get home and post it later (I'm at work now). After a shor argument, the lady forward me to the undertakers, I mean underwriters, and I told them the story. They kinda mumbled and said that they make their list based on the number of claims against a breed, that they must have had x number of claims against boxers. I told them that I'm a police officer and have been bitten by more chiuauas (how ever you spell it), poodles, and cocker spaniels, and why aren't those breeds listed. I've only been bit by one GSD while on duty and that was training with our K9 unit. The underwriter mumbled some more and I just told her she was stupid for having that type of policy and hung up on her. The company called me back about an hour later apologizing and stated they could write me a new policy for $2025 a year. Needless to say, I hung up again. I went to RVOS who basis their policy on an individual basis and evaluates the dog themselves. I also found if you just put mutt or mongrel on the breed line, you can get by. Also if you have pits, use American Stadforshire terrier or one of those terrier breeds that resemble a pit. They usually see "terrier" and say OK...I hope no insurance people read this, but to me, they are about ignorance to dogs as they come. I know my spelling shows mine, but I do know dogs...

In 199 I went to look for as new insurance company since State Farm pissed me off.
I found that Metlife wouldn't insure my home (plus they were expensive as hell).
I ended up with Farmers (my agent is a Tuervuren fan). I have been very pleased with them for all my insurance needs both home and auto.

For all those with military service, USAA insurance rates are exceptionaly fair, they don't discriminate by breed (but if there is a bite claim against you and you own "bad breeds" they might not renew your policy), and since they are not a profit based org. at the end of the year if the premiums they collected were greater than their claims paid out + reserves for future years, they send you a check.

I have USAA and you are right- they are very reasonable. When I got my homeowners they asked if my dog had ever biten someone, I told then that she had, in training, we were doing SchH at the time, he had to clear it with his supervisor but it was okay. People asked me why I said anything and my whole argument was that if, God forbid, my dog ever did bite someone, and then they found out that she had bite work then they may not cover me.

What does everyone else on this board do? Do you tell your company about bite work? Has that affected getting covered?

Breed Discrimination In Home Owners Insurance

This is a subject to pay attention to. I did an extensive series of articles for a Newspaper on the subject of Breed Specific Legislation. As a result of those articles I appeared on several Call In and Talk Television Shows representing First Dogs and second responsible ownership.

Before I go any further here. I want to go on record as being 100% AGAINST BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION.

I am dead against those who are BAD OWNERS. This is a whole different story that I should relate one day as a sub story that evolved out of the research.

But for now,

The topic of breed discrimination in home owners insurance scares the hell out of the traditional Anti BSL trench fighter more so than Government Imposed Breed Bans.

Insurance companies, as my research showed from doing all the media stuff. Will end up being the moving force in regard to Breed Elimination. The Government will not even soil their hands with the issue here in North America or elsewhere. Insurance Companies cover a lot of International ground.

What is even more disturbing to myself in regard to these eventual sanctions that these Insurance Companies will place is that a lot of what most who take part in Dogs will be restricted to what type of Breed or Look a Like cross breeds we want to own.

This in the end will turn out as the Bad Apple spoiling the Whole Basket.

$$$$$$$$$$$ and lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$ will be the order of the day to maintain working protection dogs of any type allowed.

Even worse, those decisions will be in the most part made by those with no experience with dogs in any fashion.

Yes sir, pencil pushers and bean counters will make those decisions.

Jerry Cudahy

Yep, USAA rocks! It is consistently rated the number one car/home insurance by Consumer Report for good reason.
And best of all.....it's unavailable to draft dodgers! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Well, the problem with not answering a question truthfully is that IF your dog ever does bite someone, you may not be covered. So one might just be fooling themselves when they inform the insurance company that their pit bull is really a dalmation mix.

Russell, I understand what you are saying, because EVERY dog will bite under a give situation, but knowing this "dalmation mix", the chances of her biting are extreamly small. She even loves other dogs, although her interaction is limited to other dogs in my family.
Yes, I agree, it can happen, but life is full of chances. Some just not as big as others.

I looked into USAA and State Farm when I was getting dropped from my old policy. The problem I faced then was no one was writing new policies in my area. RVOS was the only one I could find to write a new policy that wasn't $2000 a year!!! What really ticks me off is how liberal judges can be (at least in Austin, TX)!! There are claims where a burglar breaks into the house and gets bit by the dog. He sues the owner and wins!!! Why, I don't know, but he should not have been there in the first place. Owner gets sued, dogs get a strike against if for biting (in my area 3 strikes and dog is out. When we have accidental bites in SchH training, we tell the dr. that another dog did it. Of course we have to go through loop holes to get out of the rabies prevention, but it saves our dogs). You can shoot the burglar and not a bid deal, but heaven forbids if your dog bites him. It's just not fair to the dog!!!