Until such proposals are law, the following are some suggestions for coping with insurance problems.
1. If you are seeking a homeowner's policy, shop around. Ask your dog-owning friends which company they use and if they had had problems.
2. If one agent for a particular company turns you down, try another agent for that company. Apparently, these exclusions may not be written in stone. They may be the prejudice of an agency and not the insurance company.
3. Find an agent who will work with you to locate an insurance company that does not penalize for dog or breed ownership. Your agent should be working with your best interests in mind and not those of an insurance concern.
4. If all else fails, consider buying a separate liability policy or separate rider to your existing policy that is specifically directed towards your dogs.
5. Every state has a Commissioner of Insurance. You can find the Commissioner's name and address in the blue pages of your phone book under "State Government" or by asking your local state senator or representative. Contact the Commissioner and request a list of all insurance companies doing business in your state. This will give you a large pool of companies to which you may direct your inquiries. If you feel you are being treated unfairly by your insurance company, share your experiences with the Commissioner.
6. Visit or write your state senator or representative. Discuss your insurance problems in a forthright, friendly manner. Ask that a bill be introduced to address the unreasonable underwriting practices of some insurance companies.
The AKC believes that insurance companies should determine coverage of a dog-owning household based on the dog's deeds, not the breed. If a dog is well behaved, there is no reason to deny or cancel coverage or to charge higher premiums. In fact, dogs should be considered an asset, a natural alarm system whose park may deter intruders and prevent potential theft.
The AKC Canine Legislation Department can provide you with free materials to assist you in your efforts. For further information on homeowner's insurance vis-à-vis dog ownership, see the April issue of AKC's Canine Legislative Observer, that can be found at: http://www.akc.org/aprleg.htm