| If you are a home owner with a pit bull dog, or are | | | | from company to company. So whether you already |
| considering getting a pit bull, you may be aware that | | | | own a pit bull, or are planning on getting one, you |
| your pet could affect your home insurance. Here are | | | | should get some comparison home insurance quotes. |
| some things to consider. | | | | The Insurance Information Institute recommends |
| American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire | | | | getting at least three different quotes. |
| Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are some of | | | | This is easy to do online by requesting quotes from |
| the more popular breeds commonly referred to as pit | | | | different company Web sites. Or you may want to |
| bulls. Many home insurance companies consider these | | | | use an insurance comparison site. These sites don't |
| dogs as a potential liability risk because their owners | | | | represent one company. Instead, you only need to fill |
| are often held accountable by law if the dog injures a | | | | out one online quote form, then you get several |
| person. When you purchase a homeowners insurance | | | | different quotes back. These sites often use |
| policy, you receive a certain amount of liability | | | | independent agents who will work to find you the |
| coverage to help pay for lawsuits filed against you. | | | | lowest quotes. |
| According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog | | | | To further lower your homeowner insurance costs, |
| bites cost the property and casualty insurance | | | | consider raising your deductible as well as taking |
| industry about $317.2 million in 2005. Because insurers | | | | advantage of any available discounts. |
| consider certain breeds of dog as a higher risk for a | | | | And finally, the Insurance Information Institute |
| claim, they will often charge higher home insurance | | | | recommends being proactive in reducing your |
| rates for pit bull owners. | | | | chances of dog bite liability. They recommend spaying |
| However, the thing to realize is that each insurance | | | | or neutering your pet, learning how to maintain |
| company determines their rates and underwriting | | | | control of your dog and properly socializing him or her |
| guidelines based on several factors that may be | | | | so they know how to act around other people and |
| unique to that company. Thus rates -- as well as | | | | animals. Also, talk to a vet about ways to reduce |
| tolerance for accepting dogs -- can vary quite a bit | | | | aggressive behavior. |