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.
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:
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
4.9 out of 5 stars | A+ (Superior) | $1,479 | |
4.8 out of 5 stars | A+ (Superior) | $2,039 | |
4.5 out of 5 stars | A (Excellent) | $1,568 | |
4.4 out of 5 stars | A+ (Superior) | $1,650 | |
4.4 out of 5 stars | A+ (Superior) | N/A | |
4.3 out of 5 stars | A (Excellent) | $1,022 | |
4.3 out of 5 stars | A (Excellent) | N/A |
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:
2023 Policygenius award winner
USAA
4.9
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
All 50 states
Smart home discounts
Offers earthquake insurance
Offers flood insurance
Why 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
2023 Policygenius award winner
State Farm
4.8
All 50 states
Bundle home & auto
Offers flood insurance
Offers earthquake insurance
Offers extended replacement cost
Why 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
2023 Policygenius award winner
American Family
4.5
Offers flood insurance
Bundle home & auto
New homebuyer discount
Smart home discounts
Mobile app
Why 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
2023 Policygenius award winner
Allstate
4.4
All 50 states
Bundle home & auto
Offers flood insurance
New homebuyer discount
Smart home discounts
Why 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
Chubb
4.3
All 50 states
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Why 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
Plymouth Rock
4.3
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Offers flood insurance
Why 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
AIG
4.2
Offers extended replacement cost
Smart home discounts
Why 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
Offers higher coverage limits for high-value homes
Guaranteed & extended replacement cost coverage available
Complimentary wildfire and hurricane mitigation services
Cons
Can’t purchase a stand-alone home insurance policy
Only insures homes valued at $750,000+
Can’t file claims online
More details
Average rate for dog owners: N/A
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 |
|---|---|---|
USAA | $1,038 | |
Western National | $1,040 | |
USAA | $863 | |
Farmers | $2,293 | |
Mercury | $934 | |
American Family | $2,186 | |
USAA | $1,259 | |
Nationwide | $739 | |
Tower Hill | $1,189 | |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,289 | |
DB Insurance | $286 | |
USAA | $1,149 | |
Allstate | $1,059 | |
Allstate | $861 | |
American Family | $1,209 | |
American Family | $2,577 | |
State Auto | $1,285 | |
UPC Insurance | $1,195 | |
Vermont Mutual Insurance | $517 | |
State Farm | $1,311 | |
MAPFRE Insurance | $1,179 | |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $241 | |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,159 | |
Allstate | $1,372 | |
USAA | $1,719 | |
USAA | $1,650 | |
American Family | $1,926 | |
USAA | $961 | |
Vermont Mutual Insurance | $657 | |
NJM | $791 | |
Farmers | $1,581 | |
National General | $965 | |
State Farm | $904 | |
Agraria Insurance | $1,477 | |
Erie | $1,031 | |
Allstate | $3,264 | |
American Family | $782 | |
Allstate | $771 | |
Narragansett Bay | $774 | |
USAA | $726 | |
Farmers | $1,761 | |
Allstate | $1,613 | |
Farmers | $484 | |
American Family | $630 | |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $515 | |
State Farm | $1,330 | |
Allstate | $586 | |
Chubb | $890 | |
Erie | $1,232 | |
Allstate | $1,055 | |
USAA | $711 |
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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does my homeowners insurance policy increase if I have a pit bull?
Some companies require you to carry a certain amount of liability coverage if you own a “dangerous” dog breed, such as a pit bull. According to the Insurance Information Institute, you may also be charged more for insurance if you own a pit bull, but your exact rates will vary based on your home insurance company, your coverage limits, and where you live.
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.
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.
