I just happened to be reading over our
"Rotten Guest Book"
entries and happened across a recent posting that really has
become a serious issue in this country targeting the Rottweiler
owner, as well as some other breeds, Breed Racism with
Homeowner's Insurance companies! We get reports from viewers all
the time about how they were giving the ultimatum to give up
their rotten canine child, or loose their homeowner's insurance.
Many Rotty owners don't realize that if their insurance company
found out that they owned a Rottweiler, they would drop tem like
a bad habit! This is a particularly disturbing trend given the
fact that the Rottweiler is currently one of the most popular
breeds according the American Kennel Club, and been so for many
years.
We at RottenRotty are insured with
State Farm
mainly because of their customer service record, but also who as luck would
have it, are one of the very few companies these days who will
insure the responsible rottweiller owner, at least in Virginia.
This brings to mind an interesting question my wife and I have
been asking ourselves, and that is; "I wonder what percentage of
the insurance companies within the U.S. actually will insure the
rotty owner?"
I often wonder if anyone has actually stood up to their
insurance company and fought them for the legal right to own a
Rottweiler? If you know of anyone who has challenged theirs,
please email us and
let me so that we can post the out come here. I know of many
owners who were forced to give up their Rott or Rotts to a
shelter, condemned to an uncertain future due to the unfair and
what I believe to be "Unconstitutional" treatment of the
Rottweiler owner in this country. If the law requires a
homeowner to have homeowner's insurance then how come folks in
California can pay a premium for earthquake insurance, but will
be dropped unless they get rid of their Rottweiler. Am I the
only one that thinks that this is absolutely ludicrous?
Don't get me wrong, I understand that general public perception of the
breed is still very different then that of the responsible rott
owner. But give me a break! I also understand that the insurance
companies are in this to make money, after all, it is a
business. To wrap up this rant, I just want to say that I
will be building a page where you can tell us weather or not you
or someone you know has been threatened by the legal organized
crime syndicate known as the Insurance Companies of America.
This page will allow you to see what companies in what state
will not allow you to own a Rottweiler.
And finally, this is also another reason we need to help the
breed by reporting and helping to shut down the irresponsible
breeders as well as owners out there. As long as the demand for the breed is high
because of Fad Status, or the implied image that the Rottweiler
is a cold blooded killer, we will continue to be restricted by
the ignorant. Take a stand for the breed, report the
puppy mills and
backyard breeders to your local Humane Society! If they're
breeding multiple breeds, chances are, they're a puppy mill. If
they breed a bitch more then once per year, chances are, they're
a puppy mill.
If you need a good insurance at a reasonable rate and
you want to keep your Rottweiler Click below.
Thank you State Farm, for being so sensible!!!
Our endorsement is in NO WAY paid for, or
sponsored by State Farm Insurance Company
01/08/04
UPDATE
to the above story:
Just moments after posting this story we received the following
comments via our "contact us" email form;
My name is: Samara
My email address is: snjg@gci.net
Country I live in is: U.S.
State I live in?: AK
Number of Rotts I own is: 3
My Brand of Dog Food is:
Have I considered rescuing a Rott? YES
Do I Spay or Neuter? YES
Do I show my dogs? NO
I've owned Rotts for this many years: 1-3 yrs
Have your Rott/s been obedience trained? YES
My Comments to you are:
I just wanted to let you know (I'm not bragging, I swear),
but I work for State Farm in Anchorage, AK and and as you had
said, State Farm does not discriminate against owning a
Rottweiler, in any state. I don't know of any other
insurance company that can say that. Just wanted to share that
fact, as I own three, I don't think I could work for State Farm
if they said "No rotties, No Homeowners policies".
Thank you so much Samara for
emailing us with the confirmation!!!
01/13/04
UPDATE to the above story:
The following is the email response I received from
American Family Insurance with regards to an email inquiry on
their stance on Homeowner's Insurance denial based on the breed
of dog you own. This is yet another reason why if you can't spend the
time required with the Rottweiler breed, DON'T' OWN ONE!!!
Dan McNally is correct in his research data from the CDC,
view
the CDC report on dog bites and attack fatalities; Click
Here
Mr. Payne,
Thank you for your e-mail and concerns.
Our company has studied the issue of dog bites extensively for several years, and we have seen a steady increase in claims involving serious injury and even death. According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog attacks have been the largest single cause of homeowner liability claims since the mid-1990s. American Family Mutual Insurance paid out $4.3 million in dog-bite claims in 2001.
Many insurance companies have general or special guidelines concerning specific breeds. Our policy to exclude certain breeds of dogs has been in place for several years. It is based on claims experience and statistical information from several sources.
A study of our own claims data indicates that Rottweilers have been involved in almost 7% of our dog bite losses, where the breed of dog is known, since 1998, even though they are on our ineligible list and are not suppose to be in an insureds household.
A report from the Centers for Disease Control that studied dog bite incidents and types of dogs most likely to bite, includes the Rottweiler along with other breeds such as pit bull, Akita, and chows.
American Family insures many homes that have dogs. However, we also have an obligation to all our policyholders, to make sound underwriting decisions to exclude certain breeds of dogs, so the insurance rates they pay remain affordable.
Dan McNally
Product Design Specialist
MY REPLY:
Dear Mr. McNally,
Thank you for your clear and concise explanation on this topic. This reinforces our position as Rottweiler enthusiasts and advocates. We take the position that if you are going to own a Rottweiler, you MUST be prepared to spend a great deal of time in socializing and training your pet. I have spoken to other insurance companies and
most take the NO ROTTS ALLOWED stance, but a few do allow the breed but only after proof of training and a letter from your Vet stating that in his or her opinion, this dog is not a high risk animal for biting. Some also require a CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certification be obtained.
So far, the only insurance company that we have been able to confirm that does not discriminate between breeds is State Farm. As luck would have it, that is the company we use for our insurance. We own 2 Rottweilers and last year, our large male "Legend" scared off an intruder from my 89 year old neighbor's house by simply barking and alerting us of the intruder while she was out of town late one night. I wonder if her insurance company would have preferred the break in? She now feeds both of our Rotts Milk Bones over the fence in appreciation.
We understand and can appreciate you companies policy against certain breeds, but as I like to say, "It's the irresponsible owner that does the damage, not the dog!"
Thank you again for your time sir.
Warmest Regards,
Mark Payne
Webmaster@RottenRotty.Com
