Tuesday, May 10, 2016
How your dog can have a pretty hairy effect on your homeowners insurance in San Antonio, TX.
Your dog is a member of your family, and you shower it with unconditional love (sometimes too much of it), but that’s your job as a pet owner. Your home insurance company does not see your puppy as kindly as you. It’s their job to look at any and every possible factor that poses a risk to your home. Even the best-trained dog can be unpredictable, and your insurance agent knows that. There’s a chance that your rates increase, need more liability coverage, or, sometimes, even be denied coverage altogether. Learn how having a dog can affect your homeowners insurance and how you can overcome any challenges that are proposed to you.
Does breed matter?
Yes. Breed is actually one of the key factors in determining how your home insurance will be affected. The CDC reports that there are about 4.5 million people suffer dog bites each year, with approximately 900,000 requiring medical treatment. The good news is that dog bites are covered by liability insurance and any impending medical bills.
There are some muscular canines which can inflict some major damage with just one bite, like rottweilers or pit bulls. Owners will not receive coverage because of their dog’s—reputation. But it all depends on what info your carrier has.
Tips to prevent dog bites
The best way to offset the added insurance cost that comes with owning a dog is by showing your insurer not to judge a book by its cover. Here are some things you can do to show that your pal is a good dog:
- Take it to dog training school
- Socialize your dog early by introducing it to other humans and pups
- Keep your dog on-leash when it’s in the yard
- Get it vaccinated for rabies
- Train your dog to “drop” toys so no one has to reach in its mouth
- Be ready to remove your dog from tense situations or when it’s nervous
- Never leave children alone with your dog
- Have visitors respect the dog’s space, especially when it’s sleeping, eating, and drinking
- Limit tug-of-war games and don’t let them get too heated
Your dog might have some effect on your homeowners insurance policy, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel the full effect. Following these dog tips in San Antonio, TX, and will not only help to keep your home safe, but it can also help you save on your home insurance coverage. To learn more about how homeowners insurance in San Antonio, TX can help you to protect your biggest asset, contact Jerry R. Carnahan Insurance.
Disclaimer: While we hope these tips help you make sure to talk with your insurance agent about how your dog can affect your homeowners insurance.
About Jerry Carnahan, LUTCF, CWCS
Jerry Carnahan is the owner of Carnahan Insurance agency, and co-author of the Texas edition of Stop Being Frustrated & Overcharged, a book about reducing Workers’ Compensation costs. Jerry is also the brains behind SmartGuard(R), a proprietary process to identify and prioritize businesses’ unique risks. SmartGuard(R) was granted a registered trademark by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office! Gerry is available to speak to business, networking, benevolent and association groups on the topic: What Every Business Needs to Know About Lowering Insurance Premiums: 2016. Carnahan Insurance is a proud member of the Insurance One Agency family.