Where can I get homeowners insurance coverage for a German Shepherd?

If you own a German shepherd, certain insurance companies will refuse to offer you homeowners insurance coverage because of your dog’s breed.

Some insurers see German shepherds — and other breeds like Pitbulls, Rottweilers, and Chow Chows — as dangerous dogs and too high risk for liability coverage. So how can you find home insurance coverage for a German shepherd? You may have to research to find a company that will work for you. (For more information, read our “Top Homeowners Insurance Provider That Allows All Breeds of Dogs“).

Where can I get home insurance for a German shepherd?

Depending on where you live, it may be challenging to find an insurance company willing to offer you home insurance for a German shepherd. Unfortunately, many companies refuse to provide coverage for individuals or families that own German shepherds.

It is now illegal for insurance companies to discriminate based on dog breeds in some states, including:

• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Illinois
• Maine 
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Texas
• Virginia

If you live in one of the states listed above, it may be easier to find the best home insurance coverage with a German shepherd. However, companies will still consider your dog when determining whether to offer you coverage.

Anyone living in a state where it is legal for insurance companies to discriminate against specific dog breeds will have to research the best homeowners insurance policy in their area.

The table below shows statistics for dog breed attacks in the U.S.

U.S. Dog Bite Statistics by Breed (1982–2014)

While German shepherds are not at the top of the list for the number of attacks, many insurance companies still consider them problematic.

To get homeowners insurance as a German shepherd owner, ask for quotes from several companies to see which ones are willing to offer coverage at a reasonable price.

Does Allstate home insurance cover German shepherds?

Allstate is a popular name for insurance coverage. From car to home insurance and everything in between, the company is well-known throughout the U.S.

Unfortunately, Allstate has specific breed restrictions in most states. Allstate homeowners insurance refuses to cover dogs that are considered dangerous. For the most part, German shepherds are on Allstate’s list of hazardous dogs.

If you own a German shepherd, you can ask an Allstate agent to see if they can consider your dog an exception. Allstate may automatically cover your pet if you live in a state like California that bans breed discrimination.

Does USAA have dog breed restrictions?

USAA considers dog breeds when choosing whether to offer homeowners insurance coverage to a customer, but USAA homeowners insurance dog breed restrictions are not clear on the company’s website.

If you have a German shepherd, Pitbull, or a breed typically considered dangerous, USAA may deny you coverage. USAA may offer coverage in some cases, but the rates may be too expensive to work with your budget.

Does Erie home insurance cover German shepherds?

Like USAA, Erie considers breeds when issuing homeowners insurance coverage.  

However, Erie Insurance’s dog policy is unclear, so whether the Erie homeowners insurance dog breed restrictions include German shepherds varies based on your location.

Read more: Erie Homeowners Insurance Review

Are there dog breed restrictions for Nationwide’s homeowners insurance?

Nationwide’s company website doesn’t say it discriminates against specific dog breeds, meaning you could get a Nationwide homeowners policy with your German shepherd regardless of where you live.

Many larger insurance companies often consider dogs on a case-by-case basis. So if your German shepherd hasn’t caused any trouble, it may not be difficult to purchase a homeowners insurance policy with the coverage you want and a price that works for you.

Does Liberty Mutual have dog breed restrictions?

Liberty Mutual is similar to Nationwide homeowners insurance dog breed restrictions in that it does not state outright that it discriminates against German shepherds.

To learn more about Liberty Mutual’s home insurance dog policies, you may need to call your local office and speak to an agent. Liberty Mutual may consider some dog breeds more of a risk than others. 

You may find that you can get a homeowners insurance policy with Liberty Mutual if you’ve never filed a homeowners insurance claim due to your German shepherd’s actions. 

What are the Travelers home insurance dog breed restrictions?

Travelers’ website says the company determines risk based on bite history instead of breed. So if your German shepherd has bitten someone, Travelers insurance dog breed restrictions indicate that the company will not offer you homeowners insurance coverage.

However, if your dog has always been friendly and never posed a problem, a homeowners insurance policy with Travelers may be easy to acquire.

Do I have to add my German shepherd to my policy?

You should always ensure your German shepherd has coverage under your homeowners insurance policy. If a company refuses to offer you coverage because you have a German shepherd, continue to shop for coverage with other companies.

Home insurance for a German shepherd is essential if your dog bites, attacks, or otherwise harms someone on your property.

There are plenty of dog-friendly home insurance companies that offer dog-friendly homeowners insurance regardless of your breed.

If you rent a home, it’s just as important to find a German shepherd-friendly renters insurance policy that works for you. Though you may believe it’s unlikely that your dog would hurt anyone, it’s better to have the coverage and not need it than not to have it if something happens.

Should I get pet insurance for my German shepherd?

Pet insurance is a broad term that most people associate with medical bills for their pets. However, some pet insurance companies also offer pet insurance options including canine liability policies.

If you have difficulty finding homeowners insurance to cover your German shepherd, consider purchasing a homeowners insurance policy that excludes your dog. In this instance, you could get an additional pet insurance policy to cover your German shepherd.

If you get German shepherd insurance, ensure the liability coverage is enough to cover a severe incident. You may also be able to purchase a German shepherd umbrella policy offering acceptable liability coverage through a separate insurance company.

How much is home insurance for a German shepherd?

It’s impossible to know how much you would pay for homeowners insurance with a German shepherd until you compare quotes from different companies. As you shop for insurance coverage, take note of the companies that either refuse to offer coverage or only provide coverage at a higher price.

Homeowners insurance companies consider many factors when developing home insurance rates, so you may find that your rates are lower or higher than you initially expected. If you have questions about your coverage options or rates, call the company and speak to an agent or representative for more information.

Case Studies: Homeowners Insurance Coverage for German Shepherds

Case Study 1: John and Sarah’s Experience

John and Sarah recently purchased their dream home, but they were worried about finding insurance coverage because they owned a German Shepherd named Max. They contacted several insurance companies, and most of them either declined to provide coverage or excluded liability coverage related to Max.

However, after thorough research and persistence, they found an insurance provider that specializes in insuring homeowners with pets, including German Shepherds. This company offered them a comprehensive homeowners insurance policy that covered both property damage and liability claims associated with Max.

Case Study 2: Lisa’s Success Story

Lisa, a proud owner of a German Shepherd named Luna, faced similar challenges when searching for homeowners insurance coverage. After being turned down by several insurance companies, she decided to consult with a local insurance agent who had experience in insuring homes with certain dog breeds.

The agent was able to connect Lisa with an insurance carrier that had a more lenient breed policy. This insurance company required Lisa to provide proof of Luna’s training and a positive behavioral assessment. Once these requirements were met, Lisa secured homeowners insurance coverage that fully protected her property and included liability coverage for Luna.

Case Study 3: Mark and Emily’s Tailored Solution

Mark and Emily were determined to find a homeowners insurance policy that would not only cover their German Shepherd, Rocky but also offer additional protection for potential dog-related incidents. They contacted multiple insurance providers and discovered that some offered dog liability insurance as an add-on to their standard homeowners policies.

By selecting this option, Mark and Emily were able to customize their coverage specifically to address any potential issues related to Rocky. They felt confident in their insurance coverage and had peace of mind knowing that both their property and their dog were protected.

Case Study 4: Michael’s Multifaceted Approach

Michael faced challenges in securing homeowners insurance for his German Shepherd, Rex. To address the issue, he took a multi-pronged approach. First, he contacted local German Shepherd clubs and organizations for insurance suggestions. Through these connections, Michael found an insurance company with a proven history of insuring homeowners with German Shepherds.

Additionally, he enhanced his chances of approval by providing documentation of Rex’s training and obedience certifications. This proactive approach helped Michael secure a homeowners insurance policy that covered both his property and Rex’s potential liability.

Home Insurance for a German Shepherd: The Bottom Line

Finding homeowners insurance for a German shepherd dog can be difficult. If your dog has a history of biting or hurting people, you may have to purchase homeowners insurance without including your dog. If you do this, you will need to find a pet insurance policy or an umbrella policy that offers liability coverage for your German shepherd.

If your German shepherd is well-behaved and has never caused any problems, finding insurance coverage may be easier than you expect. The easiest way to find homeowners insurance coverage that includes your German shepherd is to shop around to compare quotes and coverage options from multiple companies