Final signature count: 31,105

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Homeowners across the United States are being targeted by insurance companies solely based on the breed of dog they own¹. Insurance companies label some dog breeds as “dangerous,” resulting in higher premiums, inferior policies, or denial of coverage altogether. This practice needs to stop, and it needs to stop now.

U.S. insurance companies can question homeowners on whether they own a certain breed of dog, and can charge more for a policy or require additional paperwork depending on the answer. This practice, known as “breed profiling²,” is outlawed in some states, like Michigan and Pennsylvania, but in most states the insurance companies can outright preclude policy holders for owning certain dog breeds.

The higher premiums and lower coverage make those breeds less likely to be adopted, leaving them to languish in shelters³. Meanwhile, owners of these dogs are faced with staggering insurance costs that may hold them back from home ownership. In many cases, the roots of these rules can be traced back to racial discrimination, as well⁴.

Policy standards when it comes to dog breeds vary from company to company and differ by state. Some companies simply charge more in premiums for owners of a “dangerous” dog breed, while others deny coverage outright.

Breed bans have been proven to be extremely ineffective, and are not based on scientific data². Dogs should be evaluated based on individual temperament, not only on their breeds. Insurance companies shouldn’t be allowed to discriminate against home owners who have a specific breed of dog. That’s why a nationwide ban on breed profiling needs to be put into effect by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Sign below to stop breed profiling for homeowner’s insurance!