Table of Contents
Introduction
What dog breeds do insurance companies not cover has become an increasingly important question for pet owners looking to get insurance for their furry friends. While most major pet insurance providers offer coverage for dogs of any breed, some companies do exclude certain breeds from their policies or charge higher premiums. Understanding which dogs may face coverage challenges can help owners find the right provider and policy for their needs.
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Why Insurance Companies Exclude Some Breeds
Pet insurance works similarly to other forms of insurance – companies calculate actuarial risk to determine pricing and coverage. With dog breeds, insurers look at factors like:
- Claim history – Frequency and cost of claims for each breed based on policy data. Certain breeds are more prone to medical issues.
- Injuries/incidents – Some breeds are associated with more bites or accidental injuries, raising risk profiles.
- Lifespan – Shorter-lived breeds like Bulldogs incur more claims over their lifespan compared to healthy breeds like mutts that live longer.
- Pre-existing conditions – Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs are prone to breathing issues that owners may seek coverage for.
Using this risk assessment, insurers create pricing and coverage rules to control potential costs. By excluding high-risk breeds from policies or charging premiums to match anticipated claim costs, pet insurers seek to control financial exposure.
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Most Excluded Dog Breeds in Insurance Company
While specific exclusions vary by insurer, below are some of the dog breeds frequently excluded from coverage or charged higher premiums:
- Pit Bulls
- Rottweilers
- Doberman Pinschers
- Chow Chows
- Presa Canarios
- Akitas
- Wolf Hybrids
- Belgian Malinois
- German Shepherds
- Siberian Huskies
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Great Danes
- Mastiffs
- Bulldogs
- Dalmatians
- Beagles
what dog breeds do insurance companies not cover like Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are often excluded due to higher incidence of bites and injuries involving these breeds. Brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs see higher claims for common health issues. And large dogs are more prone to costly joint, bone and mobility issues.
Are All Dogs Insurable?
While some breeds face clear challenges getting coverage, individuals dogs within an excluded breed may still be insurable depending on their health and history. Most insurers conduct an underwriting process looking at:
- Current health issues
- Age
- Weight
- Previous medical claims
- Temperament and training
So while Pit Bulls as a breed may be uninsurable, a healthy, trained 3-year-old Pit Bull with no incidents may receive an offer. But premiums will likely be quite high compared to a Labrador Retriever.
Some insurers also exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions in dogs. So breeds prone to issues like cherry eye or hip dysplasia may not be able to get reimbursements for those problems.
Finding Coverage for Excluded Breeds
For owners of what dog breeds do insurance companies not cover, all hope for coverage is not lost. Here are some options to explore:
- Shop multiple insurers – Coverage and restrictions vary, so check with multiple providers. Some exclude fewer breeds or have breed exceptions.
- Consider a pet health savings account – Self-insure by putting money aside monthly to cover future health costs for your pet. This requires budgeting and discipline.
- Look into speciality insurers – A few niche pet insurers cater to excluded dogs. But premiums are very high.
- Insure when young and healthy – Insuring the dog prior to any pre-existing conditions or incidents can help lock-in eligibility.
- Demonstrate responsible ownership – Factors like temperament training, medical records, proper containment, etc. may open doors for an excluded dog.
- Get creative with alternatives – Some home insurance policies help cover dog-related liability. Care credit can assist with medical bills. Rescue groups sometimes help cover medical care.
While no options provide complete coverage like a typical policy, exploring all avenues can help offset future costs for higher-risk excluded breeds. Working with experienced insurance agents and animal professionals can help owners find the right fit.
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Major Insurance Providers and Excluded Breeds
Below is a summary of major pet insurers and their general stance on covering higher-risk dog breeds:
| Insurance Provider | High-Risk Breed Coverage |
| PetPlan | Excludes Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Wolf Hybrids, and breeds mixed with them |
| ASPCA | Excludes Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Wolf Hybrids, and other high-risk breeds |
| PetFirst | Excludes Wolf Hybrids but provides limited coverage for Pit Bulls and Rottweilers |
| Embrace | Excludes Wolf Hybrids but provides restricted coverage for other high-risk breeds |
| Healthy Paws | Excludes Wolf Hybrids but provides coverage options for other breeds |
| PetsBest | Excludes Wolf Hybrids but provides limited coverage for high-risk breeds |
| Trupanion | Excludes Wolf Hybrids but provides coverage options for other breeds |
| Nationwide | Excludes Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Wolf Hybrids, and other high-risk breeds |
| Figo | Excludes Wolf Hybrids but provides coverage options for other breeds |
As evident above, Wolf Hybrids see almost universal exclusion due to high incidents of bites and uncontrolled breeding. Other risky breeds like Pit Bulls and Rottweilers also face hurdles at most major insurers. But some remain open to covering dogs individually based on health and history.
The Bottom Line
what dog breeds do insurance companies not cover remains a complex issue with many grey areas. But understanding breed risk factors, shopping multiple insurers, looking into alternatives, and emphasizing responsible ownership of higher-risk dogs can help open up options. Working with experienced insurance and animal professionals makes finding suitable coverage easier. While no solution is perfect, creative thinking and persistence can uncover workable solutions for even uninsurable breeds.
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Here are the references used in this Article:
- https://www.certapet.com/dog-insurance-bsl/
- https://www.caninejournal.com/dogs-insurance-doesnt-cover/
- https://www.k9ofmine.com/expensive-dog-breeds/
- https://www.homeguide.com/costs/pet-insurance-by-breed
- https://www.pettable.com/blog/qa/banned-dog-breeds
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