Did you know that your dog can affect your home insurance? It’s true, and we’ve outlined the exact reasons why.
We love pets at Youngs Insurance and to celebrate this every year we hold a fundraiser for local SPCA's called #YoungsIceCream4SPCA. If you’re obsessed with your dog, make sure you read, Important Facts You Should Know Before Taking Your Pet For A Drive.
It’s shocking that most people aren’t aware that owning a dog impacts your property and home insurance coverage. We’ve explained why below:
Understanding Your Liability as a Dog Owner
Simply put your dog is your property, which means they expose you to potential liability. Any injuries or damage your dog may cause are your responsibility.
Ontario has an act called the Ontario Dog Owners Liability Act which essentially states that as a dog owner, you are liable for any medical bills, pain, and suffering, loss of income, or property damage the acts of your dog may have caused. Therefore, it’s important to inform your insurance broker so they can ensure the dog is covered.
Why Dog Breed Matters
Home insurance covers many different dog breeds, but not all, making it essential to check with your broker to see if your policy covers the breed of dog you own.
The type of breeds that are covered depends on what Insurance Carrier you’re with. Some Carriers will not cover Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Staffordshire Terriers. If your policy will not cover one of these breeds, our brokers will work with you to try to find a Carrier or options for you.
While you might think it’s not important to advise your insurance broker that you own a dog, think about this…the Humane Society of Canada estimates that someone suffers a dog bite every 60 seconds in Canada. That’s a staggering statistic.
At the end of the day, you purchase insurance for peace of mind, knowing that if something happens, you’re protected and not left paying claims out of your own pocket. As always, if you have any questions regarding whether your dog is covered, or if you want to add your dog to your policy, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Click here for a quick home insurance quote »
SIMILAR POSTS
Five Must Know Tips To Save On Summer Energy Costs »
Understanding Home Renovations & Insurance Before You Regret It »