If you love pit bulls and are planning to adopt one at a dog shelter, you may be wondering if it will make your homeowner’s insurance more expensive? Here, we answer your question.

Unfortunately, even if the pup you want to adopt is tame, pit bulls are considered by the majority of insurance providers to be an aggressive breed of dog. A pit bull attack may carry devastating consequences; and for that reason, most insurance providers exclude liability coverage for pits and additional aggressive dog breeds like Siberian Huskies, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds. In other instances, insurance providers might have pet liability coverage for those breeds, yet at a cost.

It’s circumstances in which working with the agent really can help. The agent may assist you in reviewing your present policy to check if there are any exclusions for specific dog breeds and may assist you in determining how much your rates are going to increase—if at all—in case you do decide to adopt the dog. It may be a great time to allow your agent to shop around to check if you’re able to secure a policy which meets the needs of your coverage at an even better rate. Keep in mind, you have to notify the insurance provider about your dog ownership to ensure that you’re covered for pet liability. Don’t lie about the breed, as it may result not just in an unpaid claim, yet it also can make it difficult for you to obtain coverage down the road.

If you have a desire to keep your current homeowner’s policy; however, it excludes pit liability coverage, there are still options. The agent may assist you in finding and securing a competitively priced dog liability insurance policy. Such a policy is going to include coverage for bites and other pet-associated injuries, medical bills, property damage liability, attorney’s fees, income compensation for injured parties, and vet bills. You also may want to speak to your agent about boosting your liability protection with an umbrella policy.

For details on how Steely and Smith Insurance can help contact us today at (215) 345-9410.