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SALT LAKE CITY— Some insurance companies say certain breeds of dog pose too high a risk to insure, while owners of those dogs say it's not fair.
In 2011, the insurance industry saw more than $478 million in dog bite claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The average cost for a dog bite claim rose 50 percent in just ten years.
Craig Densley is in charge of underwriting at Bear River Mutual Insurance. Because their bite is much, much worse than their bark, Densley said there are certain breeds of dogs his firm will not cover in a homeowner's insurance policy.
Breeds not covered include pit bulls, Presa Canarios, mastiff breeds, Rottweilers and Dobermans.
"There's a history of those dogs on that list being more aggressive," Densley said.
Bear River is far from being the only insurer with a list of aggressive dogs it will not cover. American Family, Nationwide and Farm Bureau Insurance — to name a few — all have similar lists.
"Companies that do discriminate against dog breeds are literally tearing families apart," said Temma Martin of the Best Friends Animal Society.
Martin said dogs tagged as being from a dangerous breed often end up in animal shelters because their owners fear they'll lose their liability coverage.
Companies that do discriminate against dog breeds are literally tearing families apart,
–Temma Martin, Best Friends Animal Society
"They're difficult to adopt out for the reason that people feel like they're going to have a hard time in getting home owner's insurance," Martin said.
State Farm Insurance Agent Bonita Vanderkooi said her agency gladly covers dogs deemed as risky, but there are two questions they will ask first. They want to know if the dog has ever bitten anyone, and if so, they want to details. Then they also ask if the dogs have been trained for guard or attack purposes.
Vanderkooi said her agency firmly believes it's not the breed, but the training and temperament that matter.
"It's not a specific dog we're concerned with," Vaderkooi said. "We're concerned with the owner, absolutely."
If there's one thing all sides on the issue of insuring dogs can agree on, it is that any dog has the potential to bite.
"We have documented a case where one of our field adjusters was attacked by a Chihuahua when he opened the door to visit one of our insureds," Densley said. "Even Chihuahuas can become aggressive."
There are insurance companies who do cover pit bulls, Dobermans and other breeds deemed dangerous, but the premiums may spike to cover a dog.
