Furry Friends and Frenzies: Home Insurance for Pet Owners 

When you have a dog bounding through the living room or a cat scaling the curtains like it’s training for the Olympics, you know life with pets is anything but boring. But as much joy as your furry (or feathery or scaly) friends bring, they also add an element of chaos to your home. Where does home insurance fit into this picture? Does home insurance cover pet damage, or are you left footing the bill when your pet turns into a tiny wrecking ball? 

Here’s everything you need to know about home insurance for pet owners when you go shopping for your next policy in Seattle — and some of the pitfalls to avoid along the way! 

The Curious Case of Pet-Induced Damage 

Is pet damage covered with home insurance? Can your homeowners insurance really cover Fido’s frenzies? It’s a common question that many pet owners don’t think about until after Fluffy has chewed through the drywall or Fido’s muddy paws have added a Jackson Pollock-style art piece to your carpet. Great. Great. 

Here’s the thing. Most policies explicitly do not cover pet damage to your property. So if your pup or kitty cat decides to chew through the sofa or turns your drapes into a personal jungle gym, you’re on your own. 

But most policies do have a liability protection component to keep you safe in case Fluffy goes after the mailman one day. That can cover things like medical fees and legal expenses, so make sure to understand what home insurance does and doesn’t cover in Washington when talking to your agent! 

Tales of Tails: Real-Life Pet Mishaps 

So, what are some things that can actually go wrong in real life? Here are a few possibilities: 

• The Curious Corgi: Your beloved Corgi gets a little too curious and digs a hole in your wooden deck to bury its favorite chew toy. You can kiss coverage for that goodbye. While your home insurance covers general structural damage (from, say, a falling tree), your deck-destroying Corgi? Not so much. You’ll need to fix that on your own. 

• The Leaping Labrador: A playful Labrador runs circles in your backyard and, in a burst of excitement, crashes into your neighbor’s fancy flowerbed. While your garden might not be protected, that flowerbed — belonging to someone else — could be. With the right policy, your liability coverage might pay for the neighbor’s prized roses. 

• The Daring Dachshund: Picture this: Your Dachshund sneaks out the front door and nips at a delivery person, resulting in a lawsuit. You could be on the hook for serious expenses, but here’s where liability coverage swoops in to save the day, covering legal and medical costs. 

Coverage Options: What to Look for in a Policy 

When you’re talking to an agent about your new policy, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind about how the wording in the contract will apply to your pets, especially when it comes to damage and liability. 

How Home Insurance Typically Protects Your Pets 

So you’re not going to get most property damage covered by your policy (think about it — if Mittens decides to turn your couch into her favorite scratching post, that’s kind of a “you” problem rather than one that needs to be solved by insurance, yeah?). 

But, if your pet is injured due to a covered event, such as a fire or severe storm, some policies may step in to help out with vet bills — although this is rare. That said, there are some other hidden benefits you might not know you have on your policy. It’s definitely something to ask your agent about! 

What You Need to Know About Liability and Your Pets 

The biggest advantage of home insurance for pets is the coverage you get against liability — that is, the things you’re on the hook for because your pet caused someone else to incur injuries or damages. That’s a game changer for your personal finances since personal injury lawsuits can take ages to work their way through Washington courts, and it can leave you in serious financial jeopardy. Some policies even cover damage caused by pets to other people’s property (like your neighbor’s fence), so it’s worth reviewing the fine print of your policy. 

Lions, Tigers, and Bears: Breeds, Risks, and Restrictions 

If you’ve got a Labrador, congratulations! You’re likely in the clear when it comes to insurance breed restrictions. However, if your best buddy is a pit bull, Rottweiler, or another breed often deemed “high-risk,” you might face higher premiums or, worse, outright denial of coverage. Pay very close attention to this and get a list of restricted breeds from your agent when looking through your policy documents. 

Common Restrictions for Certain Dog Breeds 

Some insurance providers restrict coverage based on your dog’s breed. Breeds like Dobermans and German shepherds often fall into this category due to perceived risk, regardless of whether your dog is a well-behaved angel. So, when hunting for dog-friendly home insurance, be prepared to ask about any breed restrictions. 

The specific dog breeds that may be restricted include: 

• Pit bull terriers 

• Rottweilers 

• German shepherds 

• Doberman pinschers 

• Chow chows 

• Akitas 

• Alaskan malamutes 

• Wolf hybrids 

• Siberian huskies 

• Presa Canarios 

• Great Danes 

Addressing the Concerns With High-Risk Animal Coverage 

So, let’s say you do own a dog breed that is on the restricted list. While a lot of insurance companies may not offer you protection, some might. It all depends on what the underwriter is willing to cover and how much risk they can see when it comes to your particular pet. 

Again, a good neighborhood agent can help you sort this out, so don’t hesitate to ask them all your questions. 

Insuring Less Common Pets: Challenges and Solutions 

What if you have a less common pet, such as a Sasquatch? You know, those are pretty common up here in the woods of Washington — and they’re one of those unique challenges for Pacific Northwest insurers. 

Jokes aside, some pets don’t exactly fit into any particular “category” — think ferrets, rabbits, and iguanas. You might be able to get those covered, but anything more exotic (such as the aforementioned Sasquatch) is usually a non-starter for your insurer. 

Pet-Proofing Your Home (and Your Sanity) 

Before your pet turns your home into their personal playground, here are some tips to keep both your home — and your insurance premiums — intact. Hopefully. 

Training and Socialization Tips to Mitigate Risks 

Everything starts with a good pet trainer. So before your fluffy friend decides to turn your living room into a personal Pacific Northwest wonderland playground — here’s what you should do: 

• Chew-proof your home: Invest in durable furniture and pet-friendly material to ward off dog home damage (and cat home damage too, for that matter). 

• Gates are your friends: If your pets have a knack for chaos, limit their access to high-risk areas. 

How To Create a Safe Environment for Your Pet and Visitors 

If you think little Toto is planning to eat your guests (hypothetically speaking, of course), then there are some things you should plan to do before you have anyone over. First, make sure you baby-gate any areas you want to keep your buddy confined to during the time your guests are over. Also make sure that you let your guests know you do have a pet, especially if they have any allergies. Finally, make sure your beloved pet gets plenty of exercise beforehand — that way, you can wear them out before anyone comes by in the first place. 

We Have Your Back When It Comes to Your Furry (or Scaly) Friends 

Whether you’ve got a dog with boundless energy or a cat that rules the house with an iron paw, home insurance for pet owners is essential. While it might not cover every mishap (no, they won’t fix your dog’s hole in the wall), it can provide liability protection and peace of mind. 

Want to make sure your policy is pet-friendly? At Vern Fonk, we can help you find the best coverage to protect you, your home, and your furry friends. Get in touch today to find out how we can tailor your policy to fit your needs. You can get a quote online, give us a 855-883-1810, or visit your local (Big Foot-friendly) office!