Massachusetts insurance companies have the legal right to deny coverage or increase premiums for pit bull owners.
Homeowner's insurance offers policyholders a variety of protections---one being financial protection in the event their dog bites or injures someone in another way. Like other types of insurance, companies can specify what they will and will not cover. When it comes to dogs, insurance carriers might outright deny coverage for pit bulls and other breeds deemed aggressive and dangerous. In Massachusetts, insurance companies have a lot of leeway in deciding whether they will write a policy that covers pit bulls.
State Law
Massachusetts state government does not have laws regarding homeowner's insurance and the coverage of pit bulls. According to the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, while people can challenge the constitutionality of laws regarding ownership of certain breeds and similar laws, insurance companies are private, non-governmental entities. This makes it difficult to require them to insure pit bulls and other breeds they view as high-risk.
Individual Carrier Policies
In Massachusetts, each insurance company can set its own policies regarding certain breeds of dogs. Therefore, they have the legal right to deny coverage altogether or require the policyholder to pay a higher premium if he owns a pit bull.
Some insurers might not reject a policy but require the policyholder to submit documentation attesting to the dog's demeanor such as a letter from a veterinarian or proof of obedience training. The company might also arrange for a home visit by an agent.
Some carriers might offer a policy but exclude the dog from coverage. Anyone who has a policy and then acquires a pit bull should check with his insurance provider to determine if it will offer coverage for the dog.
Options for the Uninsurable
If a homeowner does not qualify for a policy because she owns a pit bull or for any other reason, the state administers the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) plan. Anyone with questions about this plan can call the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriters Association, the organization that runs the plan, at (617) 723-3800 or (800) 392-6108
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