For many Florida homeowners, a dog is more than a pet—it is part of the family. However, when shopping for homeowners insurance, some dog owners are surprised to learn that their dog’s breed can affect which insurance companies are willing to insure their home.
Some homeowners insurance companies maintain lists of dog breeds that are ineligible under their underwriting guidelines. Depending on the carrier, owning one of these breeds could result in an application being declined, a policy being issued with an animal-liability exclusion, or fewer homeowners insurance options being available.
However, dog restrictions vary significantly from one insurance company to another. A dog that makes a homeowner ineligible with one carrier may be perfectly acceptable with another. Some insurance companies do not impose breed-based restrictions at all.
Why Do Homeowners Insurance Companies Ask About Dogs?
A standard homeowners insurance policy normally includes personal liability coverage. This coverage may help protect the homeowner when someone is injured on the insured property or when the homeowner is legally responsible for injuring another person. Dog-related injuries may fall under the this portion of a homeowners insurance policy, but coverage is often subject to a separate animal-liability limit. Even when an insurance company agrees to cover dog-related claims, it may not provide the policy’s full personal liability limit.
Instead, many carriers apply an animal-liability sublimit—commonly $25,000 or $50,000. This means a policy with $300,000 or $500,000 in personal liability coverage may still provide only $25,000 or $50,000 for an injury caused by a dog or other animal.
Depending on the policy’s terms, animal-liability coverage may help pay for:
- Medical expenses
- Legal defense costs
- Settlements or court judgments
- Injuries caused by a dog bite
- Injuries caused when a dog knocks someone down
If the cost of a claim exceeds the animal-liability sublimit, the homeowner could be personally responsible for the remaining expenses. Dog owners should review the policy’s declarations, endorsements and exclusions carefully to confirm whether animal liability is covered and what limit applies.
The potential cost of these claims is significant. According to 2026 information published by the Insurance Information Institute, insurers paid approximately $1.862 billion for 28,450 dog-related injury claims during 2025. The average cost per claim was approximately $65,450.
Because homeowners insurance companies must evaluate the possibility of future liability claims, many carriers ask whether a dog lives in the household before agreeing to provide coverage.
Why Are Certain Dog Breeds Restricted?
Insurance companies use underwriting guidelines to determine which risks they are willing to insure. These guidelines may consider a variety of factors, including:
- The dog’s breed
- The dog’s size or weight
- Whether the dog has previously bitten or injured someone
- Whether the dog has displayed aggressive behavior
- Whether the dog has been designated dangerous or vicious
- The number of dogs in the household
- Whether the dog is used for guarding, protection or business purposes
- Whether the property has appropriate fencing
- Whether the applicant carries sufficient liability coverage
Some carriers believe that certain large or powerful breeds present a greater potential for severe injuries if an incident occurs. As a result, the company may decide not to accept homes containing those breeds, regardless of the individual dog’s temperament or training.
These decisions are generally based on each insurance company’s internal underwriting rules, historical claims experience, reinsurance requirements and overall appetite for liability risk.
It is important to understand that an insurance restriction does not necessarily mean that a particular dog is aggressive or dangerous. It means the dog does not meet that carrier’s current eligibility guidelines.
Dog Breeds Commonly Restricted by Some Insurance Companies
There is no single list used by every homeowners insurance company. However, the following breeds are commonly found on some carriers’ ineligible or restricted-dog lists:
- Akita
- American Bulldog
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Belgian Malinois
- Bull Terrier
- Cane Corso
- Caucasian Mountain Dog
- Chow Chow
- Doberman Pinscher
- Dutch Shepherd
- German Shepherd
- Great Dane
- Mastiffs of all types
- Olde English Bulldogge
- Pit Bull
- Presa Canario
- Rottweiler
- Staffordshire Terrier
- Wolves and wolf hybrids
Carriers may also restrict dogs that are mixed with one of these breeds. For example, a company that does not accept German Shepherds may also decline a dog identified as a German Shepherd mix.
Some applications use broader descriptions such as “bully breed,” “guard dog,” “attack-trained dog,” “aggressive breed” or “any mix containing an ineligible breed.” Because the wording can differ, homeowners should answer all application questions completely and accurately.
Not All Insurance Companies Have the Same Dog Restrictions
One of the most important things for dog owners to understand is that homeowners insurance companies do not all follow the same rules.
A particular carrier may refuse to insure a home with a Rottweiler, German Shepherd or Cane Corso. Another carrier may accept the same dog after confirming that it has no bite history. A third company may not have any breed restrictions but may still review the dog’s individual behavior and loss history.
Some carriers may:
- Decline the entire homeowners insurance application
- Accept the home but exclude animal liability coverage
- Accept the dog only if it has no history of biting or aggression
- Require personal liability coverage to be excluded
- Require proof of professional training
- Require a fenced yard or other safety measures
- Restrict only certain breeds or breed mixes
- Evaluate every dog individually rather than using a breed list
- Have no dog-breed restrictions at all
Carrier underwriting rules can also change. A company that accepts a particular breed today could revise its guidelines in the future, while another carrier may expand its eligibility requirements.
This is one reason working with an independent Florida insurance agency can be helpful. An independent agent may have access to multiple homeowners insurance companies and can identify carriers whose underwriting guidelines are a better fit for the household.
Does Breed Always Predict Whether a Dog Will Bite?
No. Breed alone does not determine an individual dog’s behavior.
The American Veterinary Medical Association states that it is inappropriate to predict a particular dog’s tendency toward aggressive behavior based solely on breed. The organization emphasizes that any dog can bite and that an individual dog’s history, behavior, training, socialization and environment are important considerations.
Nevertheless, homeowners insurance underwriting and public-policy decisions are not always based on the same standards. An insurance company may still use breed as one factor when deciding which risks it is willing to accept.
Homeowners can disagree with breed-based underwriting while still recognizing that insurers are permitted to establish eligibility requirements within applicable insurance laws and regulations.
What Happens if Your Dog Has a Bite History?
A previous bite, attack or animal-liability claim can be more difficult to insure than the dog’s breed alone.
Even carriers without a restricted-breed list may decline a home when a dog has:
- Bitten or attacked a person
- Injured another animal
- Caused a previous homeowners insurance claim
- Been declared dangerous or vicious by a government authority
- Demonstrated aggressive or threatening behavior
- Received specialized protection or attack training
Florida law generally imposes liability on dog owners when their dogs bite someone in a public place or while the person is lawfully on private property, including the dog owner’s property. The circumstances of an incident can affect how responsibility is allocated, but dog owners may face substantial financial exposure following an injury.
When requesting homeowners insurance quotes, applicants should disclose any known bite history or animal-related claims. Concealing the dog or providing inaccurate information could create serious problems later, including denial of a claim, cancellation or nonrenewal of the policy, depending on the circumstances and policy terms.
Can You Get Homeowners Insurance With a Restricted Dog Breed?
Possibly. Owning a commonly restricted dog breed does not automatically mean that homeowners insurance is unavailable.
Several potential options may exist.
Shop Multiple Homeowners Insurance Companies
Because carriers use different underwriting requirements, an independent insurance agent may be able to compare several companies instead of relying on the guidelines of only one insurer.
Look for a Carrier Without Breed Restrictions
Some homeowners insurance companies do not maintain a prohibited-breed list. They may instead evaluate the individual dog’s bite history, behavior and other household characteristics.
Consider a Policy With an Animal-Liability Exclusion
A carrier may agree to insure the home while excluding liability arising from dogs or other animals. This can provide protection for the home itself, but it leaves the homeowner responsible for excluded animal-related injuries.
An exclusion should be reviewed carefully. Saving money or obtaining coverage for the dwelling may not outweigh the financial risk of having no insurance protection for a serious dog-related claim.
Purchase Separate Canine-Liability Coverage
Specialty canine-liability or animal-liability insurance may be available in some situations. This type of policy may provide protection when a homeowners insurer excludes the dog, although eligibility, limits and exclusions vary.
Provide Additional Information About the Dog
When permitted by the carrier, supporting documentation may help demonstrate responsible ownership. This could include:
- Obedience-training certificates
- Canine Good Citizen certification
- Veterinary records
- Proof that the dog is spayed or neutered
- Documentation showing no prior bite history
- Photographs of secure fencing
- A professional behavioral evaluation
Providing these items does not guarantee approval, but some carriers may consider additional information when evaluating the risk.
Never Hide a Dog From the Insurance Company
Homeowners may be tempted to leave a dog off an insurance application because they are concerned about being declined. That can create a much larger problem.
Homeowners insurance applications commonly ask whether animals live at the property and may request the breed, age, weight and bite history of each dog. These questions should be answered truthfully.
Failing to disclose a dog could potentially result in:
- An animal-liability claim being denied
- Cancellation or nonrenewal of the policy
- Allegations of material misrepresentation
- The homeowner becoming personally responsible for legal and medical expenses
- Difficulty obtaining insurance from another carrier
A better approach is to disclose the dog and work with an agent who can search for an appropriate insurance company.
What Should Dog Owners Ask Before Buying Homeowners Insurance?
Before selecting a policy, dog owners should ask:
- Does this insurance company have dog-breed restrictions?
- Is my dog’s breed or breed mix eligible?
- Does the policy cover dog bites and other animal-related injuries?
- Does the policy contain an animal-liability exclusion?
- Is there a separate limit for animal-liability claims?
- Does the company consider previous bites or aggression?
- Will the dog also be covered away from the insured property?
- Would an umbrella policy provide additional coverage?
- Will adopting another dog affect my policy?
- Do I need to report a new dog to the insurance company?
The answers should be confirmed by reviewing the policy, endorsements and exclusions—not merely by assuming that every homeowners policy provides the same protection.
How Can Dog Owners Reduce Their Liability Risk?
Regardless of breed, responsible dog ownership can reduce the likelihood of an injury.
Homeowners should consider:
- Socializing dogs from an early age
- Completing professional obedience training
- Supervising dogs around children and visitors
- Using secure fencing and gates
- Keeping dogs leashed in public
- Separating dogs from delivery workers and contractors
- Posting appropriate warning signs
- Avoiding situations that make the dog fearful or defensive
- Maintaining adequate personal liability coverage
- Discussing umbrella insurance with an insurance professional
- Immediately reporting a bite or injury to the insurance company
The AVMA recommends training dogs to remain calm around strangers and securing them in a separate room, crate or fenced area when deliveries are expected.
Find Homeowners Insurance That Fits Your Household
Owning an Akita, German Shepherd, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Cane Corso or another commonly restricted dog breed may limit the number of homeowners insurance companies available to you—but it does not necessarily eliminate all options.
Every insurance company establishes its own underwriting guidelines. Some carriers restrict many breeds, some restrict only dogs with a bite history, and others do not have dog-breed restrictions.
At Evolve Insurance Agency, we work with multiple insurance companies and can help Florida homeowners explore available coverage based on their home, dog and individual insurance needs.
The most important step is to be honest about every dog in the household and compare coverage carefully. The lowest-priced policy may not be the best option if it excludes one of the household’s largest potential liability exposures.
Contact Evolve Insurance Agency to request a Florida homeowners insurance quote and learn which available carriers may be able to accommodate your dog.
Insurance eligibility, coverage, exclusions and underwriting requirements vary by company and may change. This article is for general informational purposes and does not modify or guarantee coverage under any insurance policy. Review the applicable policy and endorsements for complete terms, conditions and exclusions.
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