Protect Pet Owners Against Insurance Discrimination
- by: Anita Solomon
- recipient: Tom Gallagher, CFO, State of Florida Financial Services
Please note, this petition, when originally published, was for the benefit of Floridians a few years ago. I think it's important enough to re-open it for ALL states. If you wish to print this petition for your area, please feel free to do so, HOWEVER, no portion of this petition can be edited other than the STATE in which petition is being presented to. I cannot possibly print it out for every state, so I'm urging all of YOU to take action in your own area. This COULD happen to any one of you.
Did you know that in most states, if you own a dog, it is legal for insurance companies to charge homeowners higher premiums, while many now refuse a new policy or to renew a policy based solely on the owner's breed of dog?
More and more dog owners are being told they will be dropped by their insurance carrier if they refuse to give up their dog, even if they are long-time clients and their dog has NO history of aggression in any form.
Did you know that in most states, if you own a dog, it is legal for insurance companies to charge homeowners higher premiums, while many now refuse a new policy or to renew a policy based solely on the owner's breed of dog?
More and more dog owners are being told they will be dropped by their insurance carrier if they refuse to give up their dog, even if they are long-time clients and their dog has NO history of aggression in any form.
Such is the case with Travelers Insurance and a family in Florida that has been insured with them since 1968! Their story below signatures.
Florida, among other states needs to pass Legislation to prohibit insurance discrimination against homeowners based on the breed of dog they own.
We the undersigned propose the following legislation for Homeowners Policy Underwriting Prohibitions for the State of (YOUR STATE):
Florida, among other states needs to pass Legislation to prohibit insurance discrimination against homeowners based on the breed of dog they own.
We the undersigned propose the following legislation for Homeowners Policy Underwriting Prohibitions for the State of (YOUR STATE):
No Insurance Denial Based on Breed of Dog Owned
(a) Prohibits insurers from refusing to issue or renew cancel or charge or impose an increased premium for homeowners' insurance policies based on the breed of a dog owned.
(b) Prohibits insurers issuing policies insuring personal injury and property damage arising out of home ownership or lease from canceling or refusing to issue or renew such a policy or charging increased premiums based upon the harboring of a specific breed of dog on the premises.
Optional Revision:
(1) Prohibits insurers from refusing to issue or renew cancel or impose an increased premium for homeowners' insurance policies if the dog completes an approved obedience course, or is a certified working dog. An insurer may consider a dog owned by an applicant or insured without an approved obedience course, but excluding certified working dogs, when setting rates for a policy if the rate charged is supported by actuarial data regarding the risk of loss posed.
Sanction for Insurer:
Permits insurer to deny homeowners' or renters' insurance coverage, regardless of breed, to deny or cancel coverage, or increase rate, based upon verifiable history of violence by a specific dog owned by the potential insured or insured.
Many of these dogs end up in KILL shelters and are put to death because there just aren't enough homes available. These are members of families who are being ripped away, forced out of the home to be killed because of heartless policymakers on a power trip.
(b) Prohibits insurers issuing policies insuring personal injury and property damage arising out of home ownership or lease from canceling or refusing to issue or renew such a policy or charging increased premiums based upon the harboring of a specific breed of dog on the premises.
Optional Revision:
(1) Prohibits insurers from refusing to issue or renew cancel or impose an increased premium for homeowners' insurance policies if the dog completes an approved obedience course, or is a certified working dog. An insurer may consider a dog owned by an applicant or insured without an approved obedience course, but excluding certified working dogs, when setting rates for a policy if the rate charged is supported by actuarial data regarding the risk of loss posed.
Sanction for Insurer:
Permits insurer to deny homeowners' or renters' insurance coverage, regardless of breed, to deny or cancel coverage, or increase rate, based upon verifiable history of violence by a specific dog owned by the potential insured or insured.
Many of these dogs end up in KILL shelters and are put to death because there just aren't enough homes available. These are members of families who are being ripped away, forced out of the home to be killed because of heartless policymakers on a power trip.
SENIOR DOG DUMPED BY INSURANCE COMPANY
Shadow has been a loyal pet to her family for 10 years, since she was 6 weeks old. And her family has been loyal to her - and they would like to continue to be loyal to her.
But Shadow's family has received a letter from First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Traveler's Insurance. The letter reads in part, quote:
"We have reviewed our files for the renewal of your Homeowner's policy to determine if you continue to meet the eligibility guidelines. Unfortunately, based on the information below, you no longer meet our guidelines. We were recently advised that you own a German Shepherd. Certain breeds of dogs are known to exhibit aggressive behavior and possess the ability to inflict a serious or fatal attack. This represents a higher liability exposure than we can assume under this policy."
"We have reviewed our files for the renewal of your Homeowner's policy to determine if you continue to meet the eligibility guidelines. Unfortunately, based on the information below, you no longer meet our guidelines. We were recently advised that you own a German Shepherd. Certain breeds of dogs are known to exhibit aggressive behavior and possess the ability to inflict a serious or fatal attack. This represents a higher liability exposure than we can assume under this policy."
So Shadow's owners are faced with the option of giving up their loyal companion, or losing their homeowner's insurance. And Shadow, a 10 year old dog, will be homeless, torn from the family she loves.
Now, mind you, Shadow has lived in this house for 10 years, under the same insurance policy, which has been in effect since 1968. The owners, in fact, had a German Shepherd Dog when they got the policy.
Shadow has never bitten anybody. There has never been a complaint about her. There has never been any incident.
Coincidentally, these folks made a claim with their homeowner's insurance last year due to damage from a hurricane.
It is ironic that this tragedy comes to pass at a time when we remember the lives lost on 9/11, and the bravery of those who worked to save lives. Many of the dogs that worked so hard during that disaster were German Shepherd Dogs.
This injustice is happening in Florida. Could it happen to you?
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