Homeowners Insurance and the Family Dog

Dogs have become an important part of the American family; considering that 63% of all households have at least one dog. Although dogs bring priceless memories and convenient protection, the costs of owning one are certainly no secret: food, veterinary bills, treats and even kennels. Dogs however, have a classic hidden cost to home owners though; they can affect the cost of a homeowners insurance policy.

Just like adding a swimming pool to your homeowner's policy, owning a dog is a policy underwriting factor that insurance companies take very serious. Carriers aren't concerned that Fido will necessarily flood the house by chewing a garden hose or suddenly break every window in the house without cause, but rather that they will inevitably bite somebody. Simply put: dogs are liability risks to homeowners policies.