does anyone who owns a doberman pay really high homeowners insurance?
Sunday, June 21st, 2009 at
7:35 pm
doglover24 asked:
I would also like to know if you have had any problems with neighbors being afraid or other people when you take him out where there are lots of people.
I would also like to know if you have had any problems with neighbors being afraid or other people when you take him out where there are lots of people.
Tagged with: Doberman • Insurance • Neighbors
Filed under: Homeowners Insurance
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
I’ve never heard of anyone having to pay higher insurance because of the breed of dog they have, but I have heard of insurance companies that have breed specific bans. A friend of mine will lose her insurance if she gets a pit, wolf hybrid or rottie. I’m not sure how or why those three breeds were singled out. I’m sorry that people are reacting automatically to your dog. I’ve known a couple of dobies in my life and they have been the sweetest dogs.
my friend did and for the first one i Say no but the second one i say yes!!!!But there are an asome and loving dog not worry what other people say.People are scared of my dog too!!!!
Ya know they reckon people take after their dogs. Now dalmations would have to be one of the dumbest breeds I know.
Depends on the local and state laws. Each state is different, but some do require higher insurance coverage (therefore higher rates) if you own a certain kind of dog.
My home owners insurance isn’t higher at all due to owning Dobermans, and I have 8 of them.
Neighbours aren’t afraid and don’t worry, as we have a fenced yard, and they have all been introduced to the dogs and they know that they have great temperaments and are well mannered dogs.
People cross the street sometimes when we walk the dogs in town, but generally we are swamped with people who want to meet the dogs. It’s not a problem, Anyone with 1/2 a brain, knows that a Doberman is a dog, just like any other. Only they are smarter, more easily trained, and aren’t a vicious breed like the ignorant would lead you to believe.
i have a blue doberman and our insurance hasnt budged. my neighbors were a little afraid of him at first because they look like intimidating animals, but we introduced them and insured their safety. he would lick you to death before biting. my neighbors even have other dogs and he gets along fine iwth them. i was afraid of fighting but it never happened, now they all run around together! Never had a problem taking him out in public either, No one was randomly afraid of him. Every one was just fine, wanting topet him and doing the whole “he is so big!”. As long as you raise one right you shouldnt have a problem! They are very needy though, they do need alot of attention! Good luck!
Yep, it can be hard to find decent insurance with Dobermans. Many companies denied us outright and a few others accepted us but was going to charge horrendously high premiums. We finally found one insurance agent through State Farm that got us a decent rate even with the dogs. You just have to keep looking around until you find a good deal.
There is a top ten list for dogs, which includes Dobermans, Rottweilers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, Dalmations, German Shepherds, Cane Corsos, Canary Dogs, Preso Canarios, Akitas, Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Chow Chows, wolf hybrids or a dog mixed with any of the above. (It used to be ten but has expanded). Because of the bad rap the media has so generously bestowed upon these breeds coupled with irresponsible ownership homeowner’s insurance will either drop you from their policy, charge you ridiculous rates, or make you do really over the top things to cover them, such as put up an 8′ tall fence and the dog has to be on a lead within the fencing.
Because of the Media’s portrayal of Doberman’s being vicious attack dogs (mostly in the 90s) irresponsible owners compounded the problem and most people don’t realize what nice dogs Dobermans can actually be.
If your homeowner’s is ridiculous because of your dog please call State Farm. They are the ONLY insurance company that restricts on a dog by dog basis, not by breed. The adjuster will go to your house and meet your dog. If you have a nasty Chihuahua you will be penalized but not if you have a nice Amstaff.
I would also suggest some positive PR. Go talk to your neighbors, tell them your dog’s name and a little bit about him. Getting a Canine Good Citizens certificate through the AKC or an American Temperment Test is an added bonus.
When you walk your dog and he is well behaved and quiet your neighbors and other will see he is a nice dog. Stop and have your dog sit and as you chat with people you see on the street. I had a very ferocious looking Amstaff and when I walked him people got this look of shock on their faces “what a nice dog! He’s so well behaved!” Some people are actually ignorant enough to expect the dog to be lunging at the end of the leash trying to kill everything and everyone in sight!
I think you already know that you are representing the entire breed and other responsible owners of dominant dogs and you will take the proper steps to help overturn the biased opinions of people in your area.
Yup, some insurance companies charge higher rates for just having a dog, some charge by the breed type and some do refuse coverage if you have certain breeds.
I have a Lab/Pointer/Pitt mix and I had to shop around for an insurance company that wouldn’t charge extra for him being on the property. i’d say that you should call various comapnies and shop around. Also, check to see if you can get multi policy discounts. I got a great deal insuring my cars and home with the same company despite the dog.
Yup, some people are automatically afraid of certain breeds. It doesn’t matter as long as you aren’t afraid. I have had a lot of people show fear of my dog when I take him out walking and the funny thing is that he looks just like a chocolate lab!
You can check your state insurance law which should be available to you on-line. I live in NY and I did this. It is not an insurance law in NY State to deny insurance or to pay higher premiums for specific dog breeds. Find an insurance company that does not discriminate. I use State Farm.
The only time they can increase your insurance according to State Farm Insurance, is if you have a trained guard dog or police dog that is designed to attack.
Insurance companies don’t have a reason to descriminate against the breeds they choose, – no data to back it up . They don’t cover dobes, akitas, pits and rotties. It is the little breed dog that bites most often like the cocker spaniels, chis and poms. Because a few pits that used to belong to drug dealers got on TV as malling and killing people, they decided this could have a serious impact financially for their company? NO WRONG!. They are just finding another way to rip off the consumer. We have people that are protesting against this unfounded law here in NY.
Support the insurance company that does right by the consumer. Check State Farm if you have it near you.
my parents had a doberman and they either has to get rid of the dog or their insurance was going to be canceled.
personally i had a bull terrier and i was told the same thing.
insurance people look at certain breeds because of their bad rep. its not the dogs fault that people are stupid and train their dogs to be aggressive and attack.
as for the people in your neighbor hood – they probably heard that dobies are mean and can attack. if your dog is calm and does act aggressively towards people and other dogs you shouldnt have a problem
Doberman’s are wonderful dogs, great family pets and marvelous protectors. The problem is that they have a bad reputation, largely owing to the movies, so people are afraid.
Several years ago, my veterinarian told me that a Doberman was perfect for our family at the time, given where and how we lived, etc. I did not get a Dobe though because I was concerned that none of the kids’ friends would ever be allowed to visit again.
My neighbors got a red Doberman that was beautifully trained. Twice the police were called (long, ridiculous story) by people who felt the dog was menacing them by barking through the fence as they tormented him as they did day after day.
What matters is your willingness to train the dog within an inch of its life and make a constant, lifelong (the dog’s life) effort to show people that he is a nice boy. It works wonders if you don’t clip his ears (which is cruel and unnecessary). That way people aren’t always sure of the breed because it looks like a lovable hound but you get the best the breed has to offer (and the dog will be eternally grateful to you for not maiming and torturing it).
Homeowners insurance is not calculated based on a dog in the home. Were there to be an incident and a claim (or lawsuit), it is likely that the insurance rates would skyrocket or that the policy would be cancelled.
I live in Arizona, I asked my homeowner’s Ins company about my 5 year old Dobie and was told no extra charge. I also had a house in Las Vegas and there was a charge for dog’s (only certain breeds), I guesss it depends on where you live. I would also check with different Ins, company’s
Lou
We have a 90lb male dobie. Our insurance is not high, but frankly, I don’t know if our insurance singles out dogs. We had a new neighbor move in who was initially a bit fearful of our dobe, but she changed her mind rather quickly once she saw what a lover he is and how good he is with her five young children. I made sure early on to get my guy out and exposed to as many people and situations as possible. Because of positive socialization early on, my dobie has lovely manners in public. Once in a while someone will cross the street (literally) to avoid us, but more often than not my dobie provokes a positive response from strangers who want to pat him and ask questions about the breed. Wonderful way to educate the public one or two people at a time.