Home Owners Insurance and Banned Dog Breeds-There Is HOPE!!

This is not something new, however, it may not be well known and I am here to help!

As an insurance professional and aspiring dog trainer, I know this is an important issue to many dog owners, and should be for insurance agents as well.  If you own one of the breeds that insurance companies feel is high-risk, you may not be able to get a policy from them, have your policy cancelled, non-renewed, or end up paying higher rates.  There are a few that may write you a policy but not cover anything dog related.

The following is a list of breeds that are banned or deemed high-risk by insurance companies:

Akita
Boerboel
Chow
Dobermans
German Shepherds
Mastiff
American Bandogge Mastiff
Neopolitan Mastiff
Pit Bull
American Staffordshire Terrier
English Bull Terrier
Presa Canario
Rottweiler
Wolf Hybrid
Mixes of the above breeds

Unfortunately, these dogs have a bad reputation and, appropriate or not, when one of these dogs makes a mistake, it is a much bigger deal than when someone's nasty little chihuahua bites a child.  Insurance companies pay out big money when this happens and because of this, it becomes a risk they want to avoid. This is where owners say, "Why should I pay the price of having to pay more, or even not be able to find insurance, because of the actions of other peoples' dogs? My dog is one of the most well behaved dogs around!!"

Well, apparently one insurance company heard the dismay of the owners of these dogs and took the time to do something about it.  Allied Insurance is one of the few companies that, in most states, will allow an owner to prove that their dog is a good dog.  By proving that your dog has no previous bite history and having the dog earn their AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificate, your dog  can be considered acceptable and the homeowner can get a great Homeowner's Insurance policy that will not exclude dog bites, should that happen.  Keep in mind that all insurance policies are subject to underwriting and every state regulates insurance independently.  Not all insurance agents may know about this loop hole, so ask them to call their underwriter if they are not sure if it is available in your area.

Find out more about Allied!

So, now you are thinking, "How does my dog get a AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificate, he is not even purebred?"  No papers are needed to earn this certificate!  All mixes, sizes, shapes and colors are eligible to try!! The test is inexpensive at around $25. Dogs need to demonstrate the following 10 skills, per the AKC guidelines:

AKC Training/Testing: CGC Test Items

Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge. We believe that responsible dog ownership is a key part of the CGC concept and by signing the pledge, owners agree to take care of their dog's health needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life. Owners also agree to show responsibility by doing things such as cleaning up after their dogs in public places and never letting dogs infringe on the rights of others.
After signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners and their dogs are ready to take the CGC Test. Items on the Canine Good Citizen Test include:
Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness.
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner's care, concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it, and give encouragement throughout.
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler's movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if desired.
Test 5: Walking through a crowd
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler's commands to sit and down, and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog's leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the handler's commands. The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front or the side.
Test 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.
Test 8: Reaction to another dog
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.
Test 10: Supervised separation
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g, "there, there, it's alright").
(This is from AKC's webpage and more info may be found at: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm)


One can see why being able to pass this test may make a dog a more acceptable risk to an insurance company.  It takes a calm, confident, well trained dog to do this and ANY breed can pass this test with flying colors if the owner takes the time to train their dog.  Don't worry if your dog is not there yet because that can be changed with time and effort.  Find a professional trainer in your area and sign up for classes. Yes, it will cost money but you will save money in the end by paying less on your insurance and having better coverage.  More importantly, you will have a well trained family pet that will be around much longer because they are calm, confident and obedient!

Happy Training!