The hardest dogs to get home insurance coverage for:
- Pit bull–type (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier)
- Rottweiler
- Doberman Pinscher
- German shepherd
- Chow chow
- Akita
- Wolf or wolf-dog hybrids
- Cane Corso
- Presa Canario
- Great Dane
Owning a dog can materially affect your homeowners insurance because dog-related injuries are a major driver of personal liability claims. Industry data from the Insurance Information Institute show insurers handled 19,062 dog-related injury claims in 2023, paying about $1.12 billion in total with an average cost per claim of $58,545; Triple‑I also reports these claims account for more than one‑third of homeowners liability claim dollars. Worker exposure remains significant — more than 5,800 USPS employees were attacked by dogs in the most recent year reported. Personal liability on a homeowners policy can cover dog‑bite injuries on or off your property (subject to any exclusions or endorsements; see The Hartford’s explanation). For background and safety tips, see CDC resources (more than 4 million), but insurers primarily underwrite using actual claim experience such as the Triple‑I figures above. The average cost and total payouts continue to keep animal liability on carriers’ risk dashboards.
Some carriers publicly state they do not underwrite based on breed (for example, State Farm focuses on bite history and responsible ownership). Many others still ask about breed where allowed, maintain internal “breed lists,” or apply animal‑liability exclusions or sublimits during quoting. In states that restrict breed‑based decisions — such as New York (see the Department of Financial Services’ circular letter: NY DFS), Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. §38a‑322c), Illinois (215 ILCS 5/143.10e), and Colorado (HB23‑1280) — carriers are expected to underwrite based on an individual dog’s documented behavior (e.g., prior bite) rather than breed alone. Where breed is considered, some companies will insure the home but attach a dog‑liability exclusion or cap coverage with a separate animal‑liability sublimit (often in the $25,000–$50,000 range) instead of providing full personal liability limits (consumer/industry summaries). Earlier reporting also noted that some insurers historically labeled certain breeds as higher risk (told).
Reviews.com doesn’t ascribe to the belief that certain dog breeds are inherently dangerous, but insurer practices do vary by state and carrier. Independent research finds that most large homeowners insurers still use breed lists where permitted, while a smaller set rely on behavior‑based underwriting (Consumer Federation of America; NAIC consumer guidance). “Pit bull–type” commonly refers to American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Exact lists differ by carrier and state filing; the examples below reflect breeds most frequently cited across insurer and market guidance.
- Pit bull–type (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier)
- Rottweiler
- Doberman Pinscher
- German shepherd
- Chow chow
- Akita
- Wolf or wolf-dog hybrids
- Cane Corso
- Presa Canario
- Great Dane
Insurer caution around dog risk has been discussed for decades. For historical context, the American Veterinary Medical Association published a study of fatal dog attacks (1979–1998) noting that pit bull–type dogs and Rottweilers were involved in more than half of those deaths, while also cautioning against breed‑specific restrictions. Today, underwriting is more directly influenced by recent claim trends and state insurance rules — for example, Triple‑I’s dog‑bite liability data and New York’s prohibition on breed‑only decisions have shifted many carriers toward behavior‑based screening.
Owning one of these breeds doesn’t automatically mean a homeowners insurer will deny you. Outcomes depend on state law, the dog’s history, and the carrier. Where allowed, some insurers may surcharge, apply an animal‑liability sublimit (commonly $25,000–$50,000), require specific controls, or attach a dog‑liability exclusion; others will offer full personal liability limits if there is no bite history (source). Some jurisdictions also mandate insurance for designated “dangerous” dogs — for example, Florida requires at least $100,000 in liability coverage for owners of dogs officially classified as dangerous (Florida Statutes §767.12). Another breed not listed above, the Presa Canario, is also likely to be deemed too risky by some insurance providers thanks to the highly publicized death of a San Francisco woman who was attacked by two Presa Canarios in 2001.
Some providers are more lenient than others when it comes to dogs. As noted above, State Farm says it does not use breed as a factor. You may also find behavior‑based underwriting with Amica and high‑net‑worth carriers like Chubb (reporting). By contrast, several big brands — including Allstate, Farmers, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Travelers, and Progressive/ASI — are reported to use breed lists, sublimits, or exclusions in at least some states where such practices are permitted (source). In states that prohibit breed‑based underwriting (e.g., NY, CT, IL, CO), carriers should focus on individual behavior (e.g., prior bites) rather than breed. A national model adopted by NCOIL also encourages behavior‑based assessments.
If an insurance provider denies coverage because you own a commonly restricted dog breed, there are a few things you can try.
- Ask your agent if they’ll grant an exception for a dog with a Canine Good Citizen certification from the American Kennel Club (your dog will need to pass a 10-step test in front of a professional evaluator). Acceptance varies by carrier and state; CGC is a credible positive signal but not a guaranteed discount or approval (AKC).
- Ask if you can exclude your dog from your home insurance policy completely. That means the insurance provider won’t be liable for any medical or legal costs if your dog bites a visitor. If you exclude your dog from your home insurance, definitely consider alternate coverage for dog bites, like a “canine liability” or “dog liability” policy from a specialty provider, or even a broad “umbrella liability” policy that will cover a variety of things a standard policy doesn’t. Note that many umbrellas follow form and may not respond if the underlying policy excludes animal liability; some carriers instead offer an animal‑liability endorsement or sublimit on the base policy (The Hartford; Triple‑I). Where the law requires coverage for designated “dangerous” dogs, minimums can apply (e.g., $100,000 in Florida, which some owners meet via specialty markets: §767.12). If your primary policy lacks any liability (for instance, the California FAIR Plan), you’ll need separate solutions (California FAIR Plan FAQs).
Note: Home insurance liability coverage (the part that covers dog bites) generally applies to third parties who are injured by your dog on or off your property, subject to policy terms and any animal-liability endorsements or exclusions (source; see also Triple‑I). It doesn’t cover damage to your property by your own dog, like scratching up your walls or chewing up your furniture. In fact, even the best pet insurance won’t cover a pet’s damage to your own home. For that, you’ll need one of those “dog liability” policies and a detailed, up-to-date home inventory.
What’s Next?
- See our picks for the best insurance companies and see what questions they ask about your dog during the quote process. Ask specifically whether the carrier uses breed lists in your state, whether animal‑liability endorsements or sublimits apply, and how state rules (e.g., NY/CT/IL/CO breed‑neutral laws) affect quoting.
- Don’t forget about best pet insurance — it can save you tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses.
- For other home insurance questions, see our extensive homeowners insurance buyer’s guide.
