New York no longer has a “aggressive dog” list for homeowners!
The New York State legislature has now done away with the “hot” breed dog list. The question of dogs still remains on the standard (Acord) application for homeowners insurance but any insurance company cannot refuse coverage due to an aggressive dog. If the dog in question has a previous bite history, then it becomes a part of an underwriters decision. But to flat out deny coverage for having a dog, like a pit bull, does not allow the insurance company to reject an application.
Now having said this, we currently have 3 dog bite cases in out office and 2 relate to aggressive dog breeds.I happen to think this is a step in the right direction and every dog needs to be judged on it’s own disposition, not breed. But once your dog bites someone, unless you get rid of that dog, good luck finding a replacement homeowner policy. No homeowner insurance company wants to write a policy for a house that has a dog that already bite someone.
New York no longer has a “aggressive dog” list for homeowners!