How Dogs Affect Home Insurance (and the Breeds That Raise It)

Quick answer: Owning a dog usually doesn't change the part of your home insurance that covers the building — but it can affect the liability portion, which pays out if your dog bites someone or causes an injury. Most households see little or no change. But if you own a breed an insurer considers high-risk, you may pay more, be asked to exclude the dog from coverage, or be denied a policy altogether. Here's exactly how it works and what to do about it.

Dog-related injuries are one of the biggest sources of homeowners liability claims in the U.S., so insurers pay close attention to the dog living in the home. The good news: with the right insurer and a few precautions, almost every responsible owner can stay fully covered.

Does owning a dog affect your home insurance?

Your homeowners (or renters) policy has two main parts:

• Property coverage — repairs to your home and belongings. A dog rarely affects this.
• Personal liability coverage — pays if you're legally responsible for someone else's injury or property damage. This is where dogs matter. If your dog bites a guest, a delivery driver, or a neighbor, your liability coverage is what responds.

Because a bite claim can run into the tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills and legal costs, insurers price and screen for that risk. Simply owning a friendly dog with no history usually has no meaningful effect on your premium. The picture changes when the insurer views the specific dog — usually its breed or its bite history — as elevated risk.

Use our dog insurance cost calculator to sanity-check the numbers a provider quotes you.

How much does a dog add to home insurance?

For most owners, the honest answer is little to nothing. When a dog does move the needle, the effect typically shows up in one of three ways:

What happens	Typical impact
No effect	The most common outcome for low-risk breeds with no bite history
Higher premium	Roughly $50–$200+ per year more, depending on breed, insurer, and state
Liability exclusion	The insurer covers your home but excludes dog-bite claims — you're personally on the hook for a bite
Denial / non-renewal	Some insurers won't write a policy at all for certain breeds or a dog with a bite history

These ranges are directional, not guarantees — pricing varies widely by insurer, state law, and the individual dog. Two neighbors with the same breed can get very different answers from two different companies, which is exactly why shopping around matters (more on that below).

Dog breeds that can raise — or block — your home insurance

Many insurers keep an internal list of "restricted" or "excluded" breeds they consider higher-risk. Lists differ by company and change over time, but the breeds that appear most often include:

• Pit Bull–type dogs (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier)
• Rottweiler
• German Shepherd
• Doberman Pinscher
• Akita
• Chow Chow
• Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute
• Great Dane and Mastiff-type breeds
• Presa Canario, Cane Corso, and other large guardian breeds
• Wolf hybrids

A breed appearing on a list doesn't mean every insurer restricts it — it means you're more likely to hit friction and should shop deliberately. Many of these are wonderful family dogs; the list reflects claims statistics and legal exposure, not the temperament of your individual dog.

Why does breed matter to insurers?

Insurers price risk from data, not personality. A few factors drive the breed lists:

• Bite severity, not just frequency. Larger, stronger breeds can cause costlier injuries per incident, which raises the average payout.
• Legal exposure. In many states an owner is strictly liable for a dog bite regardless of the dog's history, so insurers carry the full downside.
• Past claims. Companies lean on their own loss history for each breed.

It's worth knowing that breed-based underwriting is controversial — several states have moved to limit or ban it, and some major insurers have shifted to judging the individual dog rather than the breed. That trend is slowly working in owners' favor.

How to get home insurance with a "restricted" breed

If your dog is on a list, you have more options than most people realize:

1. Shop breed-neutral insurers. A growing number of companies judge the dog's history rather than its breed. An independent agent can point you to carriers friendly to your breed in your state.
2. Add a standalone canine liability or umbrella policy. If your home insurer excludes the dog, a separate dog-liability policy (or a personal umbrella policy) can cover bite claims. This is often the cleanest fix.
3. Document good behavior. A Canine Good Citizen certificate, obedience training records, and a clean history can move an insurer from "no" to "yes."
4. Be honest on the application. Hiding a dog or its breed can void a claim later — far more expensive than a higher premium. Always disclose.
5. Manage the risk at home. Secure fencing, "dog on premises" signage, and supervising interactions with visitors reduce both claims and premiums over time.

For families still choosing a dog, our best dog breeds for families guide flags temperament and size up front — useful if easy insurability is one of your priorities.

Renters — does this apply to you?

Yes. Renters insurance also includes personal liability, and the same breed restrictions often apply. If your dog bites someone — even at a park — your renters liability coverage is what responds. Many landlords also require proof of liability coverage (and may have their own breed rules in the lease), so check both your policy and your lease.

Frequently asked questions

Does every dog raise your home insurance? No. Most dogs have no effect. Premium changes, exclusions, or denials are usually tied to a specific breed an insurer restricts or to a dog with a prior bite.

How much does a dog add to home insurance per year? When there's any effect at all, it's commonly in the $50–$200+ per year range, but it varies widely by insurer and state. Many owners pay nothing extra.

Can I be denied home insurance because of my dog's breed? Yes, some insurers won't cover certain breeds — but others will. If you're denied, shop breed-neutral carriers or add a standalone dog-liability or umbrella policy.

Should I tell my insurer I have a dog? Yes. Always disclose your dog and its breed. Non-disclosure can void a claim, which is far costlier than any premium increase.

Do mixed breeds count? Insurers may still classify a mix by its dominant or apparent breed. If a restricted breed is part of the mix, expect the same questions.

Keep reading

• Does renters insurance cover dog bites? — how liability coverage works for renters, and the big exceptions.
• Dog liability insurance: what it costs and how to get it — standalone coverage for when your home policy excludes your dog.

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This guide is general information, not insurance advice. Rules, prices, and breed lists vary by insurer, state, and year — always confirm the specifics with your own provider before making a decision.