Home insurance
Getting a home insurance quote can feel like answering a million questions. One that often catches people off guard is, “Do you have a dog?” It might seem like an odd question at first, but there’s actually a good reason behind it. In this article, you’ll learn why insurance providers ask if you have a dog, whether home insurance covers dog-related incidents, and how owning a dog can affect the cost of your policy.
Key takeaways
Insurance companies ask if you have a dog to better understand the risk you pose as a customer, and how likely you are to make liability claims from dog bites or injuries. While home and tenant insurance in Canada usually covers dog-related incidents under personal liability, owning a dog can affect your premiums or coverage, especially depending on the breed.
Why does insurance ask if you have a dog?
Every question you’re asked when getting a quote for insurance is for one purpose: to find out the risk you pose as a customer. Essentially, they’re trying to learn how likely you are to file a claim.
To calculate your premium, insurers assess dog-related risks alongside dozens of other factors, such as whether you have a pool or live in a flood-prone area. For example, when getting an insurance quote, homeowners are asked whether they have a pool on their property, as pools increase the likelihood of injuries or property damage, meaning a higher risk (and higher premiums).
The same idea applies to dogs. Insurance providers ask about pets because they introduce specific risks, including:
- Liability risks: Dog bites can lead to lawsuits or medical claims.
- Property risks: Dogs can damage your property, its fixtures, and your belongings.
These risks are also becoming more relevant for insurers. For example, reported dog attacks in Ottawa increased by 50% since the start of the pandemic, primarily due to new pet ownership and inexperienced owners. This spike has been a growing concern for insurance providers because more dog-related incidents can lead to increased liability claims.
Even if your dog is well-behaved, insurers still need to know about them because accidents can happen. As personal injury lawyer, Nainesh Kotak explains, “Dog owners should have home or tenant insurance and ensure their company is aware of the size and breed of their pet. Make sure your home insurance knows you have a dog, so you’ll be covered if your dog bites somebody and you’re sued.”
Failing to be upfront about your dog can result in denied claims if an incident occurs, policy cancellation, or even difficulty getting insurance in the future. Transparency protects both you and your insurer, ensuring you’re covered when you need it most.
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Does home insurance cover dogs?
Yes, home insurance in Canada typically covers dog-related incidents, such as injuries your dog causes to others or damage to someone else’s property. This is covered under personal liability coverage. It typically includes:
- Medical bills for injuries to others
- Legal expenses, including attorney fees and court costs
- Property repair or replacement costs for damage you cause
- Lost wages for injured parties
- Rehabilitation costs for injured parties
- Settlements or judgments in a lawsuit
Essentially, if your dog’s actions result in someone else being hurt or their belongings being damaged, insurance for your home, condo, or rental unit can help cover the costs. That said, home insurance typically does not cover damage your dog causes to your own property, such as chewing furniture, scratching the floors, or knocking over a TV.
Does having a dog lower the cost of home insurance?
Generally, owning a dog does not lower the cost of home insurance. In fact, it may increase your premium as it poses a higher risk of a personal liability claim. If someone is bitten or injured, your insurer may have to cover significant medical, legal, and compensation costs, which can be among the most expensive claims insurance companies deal with.
For example, one Toronto personal injury lawyer noted that “Compensation amounts vary greatly based on the damages sustained–on average, between $3,000 and $10,000. But if the injuries are severe, the amount can jump to hundreds of thousands, even $1 million.”
What dog breeds affect home insurance?
It is common for home insurance providers in Canada to have a list of “excluded” or “high-risk” dog breeds, which may include:
- Pit Bull Terriers
- Staffordshire Terriers
- Rottweilers
- German Shepherds
- Presa Canarios
- Chow Chows
- Doberman Pinschers
- Akitas
- Wolf-hybrids
- Mastiffs
- Cane Corsos
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Siberian Huskies
That said, every insurer sets its own rules. One company may permit a breed that another doesn’t. Some might even take your dog’s history, such as past bites or aggressive behaviour, as well as your experience and living situation, into account.
Also, bear in mind that the list of “restricted” dog breeds isn’t universally or legally mandated, since each insurer bases its policies on its own underwriting experience and claims data.
At the end of the day, it all depends on your insurer. To avoid surprises, be upfront about your dog’s breed and check with your provider about their specific policies.
