Ask Me Help Desk - Pit Bull Insurance

I just got a pit bull and I know she would be covered under house insurance but that is my problem that house I live in does not have home insurance. Is there an insurance that I can get that just covers my dog. I found one site the other day but I have not been able to find it again and even if I was to I want to be able to compare policies so I can get what is best for me and my dog. Please someone help me if I can not find a coverage I can not keep my dog. :(

Without wanting to start a pit bull issue, no you do not "know" the dog would be covered under the house insurance, many will not cover varioius breeds of dogs, this is one.

What you are needing is liablity insurance, so you need to go down to the various full line insurance agent and priceit.

Now this is another big issue, you don't have any insurance on your home? You need that, do you own if not if you are a renter you need a renters policy which includes liability insurance ( but still may not cover a pit bull)

It sounds like you are a renter Samantha. If so, Fr Chuck is right. You need to find renter's insurance with an umbrella liability policy. The point being that if your dog bites anyone, the landlord does not want to be held liable. The umbrella liability policy is what covers you with that. But, you can't just get liability insurance, you need a basic renter's policy. I would suggest contacting some Insurance brokers in your area and make appointments to speak with them. Look in your regional yellow pages under Insurance. Brokers work with a number of different insurance companies and they will do all the research for you to find the right policy. Don't sign anything until you are comfortable with the explanation of coverage and you have been given price quotes/estimates from a couple of different brokers.

Samantha, I am not sure of your intentions but I think everyone who has answerd is assuming you want liability coverage to pay other's injuries/damages and your legal defense costs if your pit bull were to injure/casue death/or cause a loss to other's of their possessions and NOT actual insurance to cover your dog if, say for example, your dog were stolen or hit by a hit and run vehicle and you lost your monetary investment in the animal ? There are insurance companies that offer "pet insurance" and I usually don't recommend pet insurance 'cause if you can afford the dog in the first place, you don't usually need to be concerned about your financial loss should something happen to your pit bull. So can we assume you want liability insurance and not actual pet insurance on the pit bull itself? If so, you are going to find it very difficult to purchase a renter's policy with liability insurance that covers the liability exposures owning such a dog presents. Even insured's needing much more expensive homeowner's policies even should you have your auto and life insurance with the company, have a difficult time finding insurance. There might be one out there in the vast number of companies but it's going to be a difficult search due to past loss experience of many insurance companies when they accept such liability risks. Godd luck and correct us all if we are incorrectly assuming that you want only liability insurance and not just insurance on your investment in your pet.

Well I live with my mother and we lack house insurance so I am not quite a renter. But yes I am looking for liability insurance you all are right on that part. It is the law in my state. I was just wondering how to go about this. Do I need proof that I rent in order to get renters insurance? I don't know what to do. Thank you all for you input so far.

Samantha, what state are you in? That would help in a search for the insurance.

Richardbondman will probably know the answer to your question better than I, but I don't think you have to show proof of rent to get renters insurance. But, I do have to question why your Mom doesn't have homeowners insurance. That is so important. If there was a fire, or some damage to the house, how would she replace the house or the property in it? If she had homeowners insurance, you could piggyback the liability insurance on that.

How old are you? If you are young enough, I think your mother may be liable. I am sure an insurance agent will know how to sell you a policy whatever the case.

Yes, if you live with your mom in her home, and she is the one that rents or owns the home, she is the one that has to get the insurance for the home.

But it is easy, really open the phone book, there will be 100's, in any major city, and dozens in every small town. State Farm, Farm Bureau, are just two of the bigger ones, but there are 100's of companies, you will have to call and give them the info, and they will give you a est on the rate.

I'm having the same issue with my dog. I live in NJ and its hard to find insurance that covers my pitt. I have to get renters insurance my next week or my boy is gone.

Hi Miss Leo, did you read any of the answers above?

Chuck suggested calling insurance brokers in your phone book and finding a policy that suits you.

Quote:

But it is easy, really open the phone book, there will be 100's, in any major city, and dozens in every small town. State Farm, Farm Bureau, are just two of the bigger ones, but there are 100's of companies, you will have to call and give them the info, and they will give you a est on the rate.

I really hate to say this but... these things should have been looked into before you got the dog, unless it was a quick rescue type of thing.

Most places where you adopt a dog make sure that there are NO complications when you take your baby home. (at least where I'm at)

I hope it was rescue and 'good luck' to you:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardBondMan

Samantha, I am not sure of your intentions but I think everyone who has answerd is assuming you want liability coverage to pay other's injuries/damages and your legal defense costs if your pit bull were to injure/casue death/or cause a loss to other's of their possessions and NOT actual insurance to cover your dog if, say for example, your dog were stolen or hit by a hit and run vehicle and you lost your monetary investment in the animal ? There are insurance companies that offer "pet insurance" and I usually dont recommend pet insurance 'cause if you can afford the dog in the first place, you don't usually need to be concerned about your financial loss should something happen to your pit bull. So can we assume you want liability insurance and not actual pet insurance on the pit bull itself? If so, you are going to find it very difficult to purchase a renter's policy with liability insurance that covers the liability exposures owning such a dog presents. Even insured's needing much more expensive homeowner's policies even should you have your auto and life insurance with the company, have a difficult time finding insurance. There might be one out there in the vast number of companies but it's going to be a difficult search due to past loss experience of many insurance companies when they accept such liability risks. Godd luck and correct us all if we are incorrectly assuming that you want only liability insurance and not just insurance on your investment in your pet.

Got to disagree about pet insurance - my dogs are both insured and it came in very handy when I faced a $2,600 bill for a torn ligament. Being able to afford a dog in the first place and being faced with a $2,600 bill are two different things.

Policies differ, some are better and more user friendly than others but I have found that the insurance is a good investment.

Of course, if your dog is disposable - it gets sick or hurt and you simply have it put down and get another one - then the insurance is not necessary.

In my area only the person who actually rents the property can get renters insurance. A person living with a parent, for example, cannot get her own renters insurance.

Very well may be different in different areas.