I have some rental properties and the renters has bulldogs does it cover it or do I need special insurance

You really need to check with your insurance company because not only do some insurance companies refuse to cover what they call dangerous breeds some states even have a ban on them.

If you have insurance covering your properties, it may or may not cover such things. Only your agent can tell you for sure.

You can require that the tenants have renters insurance.

What are you wanting your insurance company to protect you from, dog bites to people or dog damage to the home. A big different between a bull dog and a pitbull. Bull dogs are not particularly dangerous.

Here is an article I found on getting home owner insurance and having a dog.
Dogs and Homeowners Insurance Is Fido Causing Your Premium to Increase? (http://www.tidbitsandstuff.com/articles/insurance/dogs_homeowner_premiums.shtml)
You really need to ask your landlord and take it from there.

Well most bull dogs are lovable, and I don't believe are on any banned list.

But policies vary greatly, so you will have to ask your agent and review your policy. Many may not cover, animals, pools and other items. That is why many landlords do not allow animals, and pools.

Here is some of what the link says

Did you know that your pooch could affect your homeowners insurance rate? You may have the most loveable dog in the world whose attack method of choice is to lick someone to death, however, your insurance company looks at Fido differently. Homeowner insurance companies are not very enthusiastic about insuring certain breeds of dogs and as a result, you may pay more for your policy.

Contact the insurance department of your state. They will provide you with a listing of all insurance companies licensed to provide homeowners insurance in your state. Once you have the list, you can contact each (or as many as you deem necessary) to find out their stance on dog ownership. If you find the insurance company's stance too harsh on the topic of dogs, you may contact the insurance department to confirm and/or report the insurance company's stance and to make sure it is not in violation of the law.

If it is not against the law and you find it unfair, contact your state representative. If your state is not one of those with pending legislation, chances are you may need to champion the cause for homeowners and dogs.

Obedience: If your dog has completed obedience training and is certified, submit that information to your insurance company. It may server to loosen the tight grip of the rate.


***bull dogs aren't listed on the site as the more aggressive breeds

As a landlord, you can require that they have renter's insurance; not just because of the dogs but because in general it's good practice to require the tenants carry their own insurance.

You also have the right to refuse to allow dogs on the property or certain breeds even. Bulldogs are not a particularly aggressive breed but truth is, any dog can pose a bite risk because that is their innate nature. Basically, dogs are wild animals that have been domesticated over time.

In general, a policy for a rental dwelling covers you for liability. So if negligence on your part resulted in damages/injuries, the victim could potentially sue you. In today's society we have to cover ourselves from all angles so that's why I'd recommend requiring renter's insurance and possibly restricting them from having dogs.

Yep most landlords say tenant is responsible for any damages.
Where I live it is really really hard to find rental places that allow animals other than birds and fish.

Flair, you have 8 responses and you have not returned to add more info. Areyou asking about insurance to cover damages or liability insurance?

Check your insurance contract & discuss with your agent.

I recommend that your renter's contract include a "Hold Harmless" clause that deflects liability away from you to the renters for their acts, unless you are negligent or personally responsible for the actions on your rental property that result in a law suit directed at you.

Also, I recommend a rental agreement that requires renters to purchase and keep renter's insurance in force during the term of their contract. This insurance should list you as an "Additional Insured" and your contract should require proof that you are an Additional Insured by having the agent or insurer issue to you a Certificate of Insurance that notes this. This will ensure that if you are brought into a law suit because of actions of your renters that their insurer will step in and defend you and them, at the insurer's expense.

These 2 measures should cover you, but the law and juries are crazy sometimes. Best to make preventive measures.