Good News for Dog Owners!

Website: BIG I NY

Material Excerpted From: BIG I NY – Lists

Great news for dog owners! A law taking effect in March adds new restrictions to homeowners insurers’ ability to underwrite breeds of dogs residing in a home or apartment. The law, which builds on one that took effect a year ago, effectively requires insurers to provide liability coverage at full policy limits for most dogs regardless of breed.

The New York State Assembly approved the bill last March by a vote of 115 to 32, and the Senate followed in May by a vote of 49 to 13. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed it into law on December 15, 2022.

Previously, insurers were prohibited from:

• Refusing to issue or renew

• Cancelling, or

• Surcharging a rate or premium

Based solely on the breed of a dog in the household.

The amended law, which applies to policies issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on and after March 15, 2023, further prohibits insurers from:

• Excluding

• Limiting

• Restricting, or

• Reducing coverage

Based on dog breed.

The law applies to homeowners and renters insurance policies. It also applies to commercial policies insuring one- to four-family dwellings if the named insured is an actual person and not an organization such as a limited liability company or a corporation.

Be aware that after March 14, your carriers will no longer be able to add exclusions or sub-limits to the liability coverage in any of these types of policies based solely on dog breeds.

We’re here to protect what is yours, call us today for a policy review at 1-800-568-SAVE (7283) or email us at: service@hometowninsurance.com.

We work for you!