Dog-Friendly Homeowners Insurance - Policygenius

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Table of contents

1.

Does homeowners insurance cover dogs?

2.

What dog breeds are considered high risk?

3.

Is it legal for an insurance company to deny or cancel my homeowners policy because I own a certain dog breed?

4.

Dog-friendly home insurance companies

5.

Deep dive into the best dog-friendly home insurance companies

6.

Cheapest home insurance companies for dog owners by state

Table of contents

1.

Does homeowners insurance cover dogs?

2.

What dog breeds are considered high risk?

3.

Is it legal for an insurance company to deny or cancel my homeowners policy because I own a certain dog breed?

4.

Dog-friendly home insurance companies

5.

Deep dive into the best dog-friendly home insurance companies

6.

Cheapest home insurance companies for dog owners by state

Back to top

Because dogs are responsible for so many personal liability claims, many home insurance companies won't cover your dog if they're categorized as a so-called dangerous breed or have a history of biting. [1] Others might refuse to extend you coverage altogether. But you're not totally out of luck if you live with a four-legged friend. We rounded up some of the best home insurance companies for dog owners, including the cheapest companies by state.

Compare rates from dog-friendly home insurance companies

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Your data security is our priority.

Key takeaways

• A dog-friendly insurance company is one that extends coverage to high-risk dog breeds and dogs with a history of biting.

• Some dog-friendly insurance companies include Allstate, State Farm, and USAA.

• Comparing quotes from at least three home insurance companies through an insurance marketplace like Policygenius can ensure you find the best coverage for the lowest price.

Does homeowners insurance cover dogs?

A standard homeowners insurance policy includes two types of coverage to protect you from expensive bills caused by your dog:

• Personal liability coverage: Covers legal fees, medical bills, and damages if your dog hurts someone or damages their belongings while at your home and you're found legally responsible.

• Medical payments to others coverage: Covers the costs of any injuries caused by your dog — regardless of who's at fault.

Just keep in mind that some home insurance companies won't extend coverage to your dog if they're deemed a dangerous dog breed, while others might refuse to write you a policy altogether. And if your dog has a history of biting or if a liability claim has been filed against you in the past, you may also have a difficult time securing homeowners insurance coverage.

➞ Learn more about homeowners insurance and dogs

What dog breeds are considered high risk?

Certain dog breeds are responsible for a majority of home insurance claims, causing some home insurance companies to exclude those breeds from standard home insurance coverage.

If you own one of the following breeds, you may need to look into a dog-friendly home insurance company to cover bodily injury and property damage you’re liable for as their owner:

• Akita

• Alaskan Malamute

• Any wolf breeds

• Chow chow

• Doberman pinscher

• German shepherd

• Great Dane

• Pit bull terrier

• Presa Canario

• Rottweiler

• Siberian husky

• Staffordshire terrier

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Is it legal for an insurance company to deny or cancel my homeowners policy because I own a certain dog breed?

Unless you live in Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New York, or Pennsylvania, it is legal for home insurance companies to deny or cancel your policy if you own a “dangerous” dog breed.

In 2005, Michigan’s Insurance Department passed a law stating that insurers can “deny coverage or not renew a policy” after a dog bite, dog attack, or any paid claim for your dog under a policy. A law passed in Pennsylvania that same year also states that a dog’s breed “does not justify canceling or not renewing a policy” unless it’s proven to be dangerous.

And dog groups in Illinois, Nevada, and New York have successfully lobbied state legislators to ban insurers from refusing coverage based on your dog's breed.

Dog-friendly home insurance companies

Here’s a look at how the top dog-friendly homeowners insurance companies compare according to their Policygenius rating. Our Policygenius ratings take into consideration each company’s financial stability, home insurance rates, consumer confidence, customer satisfaction ratings, and coverage options. See our full homeowners insurance ratings methodology.

Insurance company	Policygenius rating	A.M. Best rating	Average annual cost
USAA	4.9 out of 5 stars	A+ (Superior)	$1,479
State Farm	4.8 out of 5 stars	A+ (Superior)	$2,039
American Family	4.5 out of 5 stars	A (Excellent)	$1,568
Allstate	4.4 out of 5 stars	A+ (Superior)	$1,650
Chubb	4.4 out of 5 stars	A+ (Superior)	N/A
Plymouth Rock	4.3 out of 5 stars	A (Excellent)	$1,022
AIG	4.3 out of 5 stars	A (Excellent)	N/A

Collapse table

What can I do if an insurance company denies or cancels my homeowners coverage because of my dog?

If a home insurance company denies your application, you can shop around for coverage with more dog-friendly companies and compare quotes. Even if you’re happy with your existing insurer, you should still regularly compare rates at multiple companies since you might find better coverage for a lower price with a different provider.

Deep dive into the best dog-friendly home insurance companies

Here's a more in-depth look at some of the best dog-friendly home insurance companies:

2025 Policygenius award winner

USAA

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

4.9

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

Offers extended replacement cost

All 50 states

Smart home discounts

Offers earthquake insurance

Offers flood insurance

Get quotesWhy we chose it

USAA cares about your dogs' bite history and if they've displayed any signs of aggression in the past — not their breed — when determining whether you qualify for home insurance.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Affordable rates

• Over a dozen additional coverage options

• Industry-best customer service and claims satisfaction ratings

Cons

• Limited to people affiliated with the U.S. military

More details

Average rate for dog owners: $1,479 per year

Read our full review of USAA homeowners insurance

2025 Policygenius award winner

State Farm

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

4.8

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

All 50 states

Bundle home & auto

Offers flood insurance

Offers earthquake insurance

Offers extended replacement cost

Get quotesWhy we chose it

State Farm considers each dog an individual, meaning they won't ask what breed of dog you own when writing your home insurance policy. They've also partnered with Trupanion to offer pet health insurance to ensure your furry friends are fully protected.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Save up to $1,127 per year when you bundle your home and auto insurance

• Excellent line-up of policy add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage

Cons

• No longer sells home insurance policies in California

• 20% more complaints filed with the NAIC than other companies of its size

More details

Average rate for dog owners: $2,039 per year

Read our full review of State Farm homeowners insurance

2025 Policygenius award winner

American Family

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

4.5

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Offers flood insurance

Bundle home & auto

New homebuyer discount

Smart home discounts

Mobile app

Get quotesWhy we chose it

American Family’s standard homeowners insurance policy will cover any dogs not considered a dangerous breed with coverage that includes expenses related to lawsuits, accidental bodily injury, and damage to someone else’s property.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Affordable rates and 11 available discounts

• Ranked #2 in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Home Insurance Study

• Diminishing deductible feature to lower out-of-pocket claim costs

Cons

• Only available in 19 states

• Offers online quotes, but requires talking to an agent to complete the process

More details

Average rate for dog owners: $1,568 per year

Read our full review of American Family homeowners insurance

2025 Policygenius award winner

Allstate

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

4.4

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A+

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

All 50 states

Bundle home & auto

Offers flood insurance

New homebuyer discount

Smart home discounts

Get quotesWhy we chose it

Like many of the insurers on our list, Allstate writes home insurance policies based on your specific dog's demeanor and bite history — not its breed. And bonus: You can also add on pet insurance to ensure your pup is fully protected.

Pros and cons

Pros

• High-quality and flexible policy options

• Numerous discounts and features that help you save

• Below-average customer complaints

Cons

• No longer sells home insurance policies in California

• Below-average digital experience rating with J.D. Power

More details

Average rate for dog owners: $1,650 per year

Read our full review of Allstate home insurance

Chubb

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

4.3

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

All 50 states

Bundle home & auto

Smart home discounts

Offers extended replacement cost

Offers flood insurance

Get quotesWhy we chose it

Ideal for dog owners with high-value homes, Chubb's masterpiece home insurance policy only considers a dog's biting history — not their breed — when deciding if you qualify for coverage.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Extended replacement cost coverage

• Cash-out claim settlements

• Complimentary wildfire and hurricane mitigation services

Cons

• Only insures high-value homes

• Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings

More details

Average rate for dog owners: N/A

Read our full review of Chubb homeowners insurance

Plymouth Rock

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

4.3

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A-

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

Smart home discounts

Offers flood insurance

Get quotesWhy we chose it

Plymouth Rock’s liability provision covers dog bites and other dog-inflicted damage and injuries.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Cheap rates that are around 60% lower than the national average

• Guaranteed replacement cost coverage for your home available

• Offer private flood insurance with up to $2 million in coverage through its partnership with Neptune Flood

Cons

• Doesn’t offer replacement value coverage for your personal belongings

• Only available in six states throughout the Northeast

More details

Average rate for dog owners: $1,022 per year

Read our full review of Plymouth Rock home insurance

AIG

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

4.6

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Offers extended replacement cost

Smart home discounts

Get quotesWhy we chose it

AIG's standard home insurance policy includes coverage for damage caused by your pup or any other domestic pet.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Industry-best customer and claims satisfaction ratings with J.D. Power

• Guaranteed & extended replacement cost coverage available

• Complimentary wildfire and hurricane mitigation services

Cons

• Doesn't allow you to purchase standalone home insurance

More details

Average rate for dog owners: N/A

Read our full review of AIG homeowners insurance

Cheapest home insurance companies for dog owners by state

Allstate, USAA, American Family, and State Farm make repeat appearances on our list of the cheapest home insurance companies for dog owners by state.

State	Cheapest company for dog owners	Average annual rate
Alabama	USAA	$1,038
Alaska	Western National	$1,040
Arizona	USAA	$863
Arkansas	Farmers	$2,293
California	Mercury	$934
Colorado	American Family	$2,186
Connecticut	USAA	$1,259
Delaware	Nationwide	$739
Florida	Tower Hill	$1,189
Georgia	Auto-Owners Insurance	$1,289
Hawaii	DB Insurance	$286
Idaho	USAA	$1,149
Illinois	Allstate	$1,059
Indiana	Allstate	$861
Iowa	American Family	$1,209
Kansas	American Family	$2,577
Kentucky	State Auto	$1,285
Louisiana	UPC Insurance	$1,195
Maine	Vermont Mutual Insurance	$517
Maryland	State Farm	$1,311
Massachusetts	MAPFRE Insurance	$1,179
Michigan	Auto-Owners Insurance	$241
Minnesota	Auto-Owners Insurance	$1,159
Mississippi	Allstate	$1,372
Missouri	USAA	$1,719
Montana	USAA	$1,650
Nebraska	American Family	$1,926
Nevada	USAA	$961
New Hampshire	Vermont Mutual Insurance	$657
New Jersey	NJM	$791
New Mexico	Farmers	$1,581
New York	National General	$965
North Carolina	State Farm	$904
North Dakota	Agraria Insurance	$1,477
Ohio	Erie	$1,031
Oklahoma	Allstate	$3,264
Oregon	American Family	$782
Pennsylvania	Allstate	$771
Rhode Island	Narragansett Bay	$774
South Carolina	USAA	$726
South Dakota	Farmers	$1,761
Tennessee	Allstate	$1,613
Texas	Farmers	$484
Utah	American Family	$630
Vermont	Auto-Owners Insurance	$515
Virginia	State Farm	$1,330
Washington	Allstate	$586
Washington, D.C.	Chubb	$890
West Virginia	Erie	$1,232
Wisconsin	Allstate	$1,055
Wyoming	USAA	$711

Collapse table Methodology: Why you can trust our rates for the cheapest home insurance companies for dog owners

Policygenius has analyzed 128 companies to find the cheapest home insurance companies for dog owners in each state. Rates are provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, owns a high-risk dog, and the following coverage limits:

• Dwelling: $300,000

• Other structures: $30,000

• Personal property: $150,000

• Loss of use: $60,000

• Liability: $300,000

• Medical: $1,000

All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Policygenius prides itself on providing transparent, unbiased reviews of home insurance companies. Though we make money when you purchase a policy through our site, this does not affect our editorial independence and rigorous editorial standards.

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Your data security is our priority.

References

Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.

1. Insurance Information Institute

   . "

   Spotlight on: Dog bite liability

   ." Accessed May 25, 2022.

Author

Jennifer Gimbel

Senior Managing Editor & Home Insurance Expert

Jennifer Gimbel is a senior managing editor at Policygenius, where she oversees all of our insurance coverage. Previously, she was the managing editor at Finder.com and a content strategist at Babble.com.

Expert reviewer

Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®

Certified Financial Planner

Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

Questions about this page? Email us at [email protected].