Insurance vendors justified in refusing coverage to homes of vicious dogs

The Province

Thursday, June 10, 2004

Cutting through the emotionally charged rhetoric that has long plagued the ownership of vicious dog breeds, several B.C. insurance companies are opting to refuse insurance to homeowners with these potentially killer animals.

What civic bylaws and provincial legislation have failed to do -- that is, discourage ownership of dogs bred for their aggressive proclivities -- insurance companies could succeed in doing.

The decision to refuse coverage to the keepers of vicious dogs is not based on an arbitrary breed bias, nor the circular logic that allots blame for the violent misdeeds of dogs on irresponsible owners. It is based on solid evidence that pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans and German shepherds are bad for business, especially if it's selling insurance.

Karen Hopkins-Lee, underwriter for New Westminster-based Canadian Direct Insurance, categorizes purpose-bred dogs such as pit bulls and Rottweilers as specialized risk demanding specialized insurance, which her company is no longer prepared to offer.

She points to recent dog-attack data from the U.S. Center for Disease Control: There are 4.7 million dog bites annually in the U.S. and they account for 33 per cent of all homeowner liability claims and up to US $1 billion in payouts. The most frequently reported dog breeds involved in fatal attacks are, you guessed it; pit bulls, Rottweilers and German shepherds.

In addition to Canadian Direct's new policy, Allstate Insurance of Canada has imposed its own nationwide home insurance policy denying coverage to owners of these dogs. The B.C. Automobile Association isn't far behind. It demands owners impose strict safety measures before insuring.

David Keen, chairman of the Insurance Brokers Association of B.C., says things could get worse. Homeowners who keep vicious dogs can expect a difficult time finding affordable home insurance as the industry tightens its standards. Courts, meanwhile, have nixed any industry attempt to exempt specific liability issues such as dog bites from a policy.

While restricted coverage or no coverage at all may seem harsh and a hardship to some, it may knock some sense into those who insist on harbouring killer canines.

What do you think? Leave a brief comment, name and town at: 604-605-2029, fax: 604-605-2099 or e-mail: provletters@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Province 2004