What Pit Bull Owners Need to Know About Home and Renters Insurance
Some insurers refuse to provide renters or homeowners insurance for owners of pit bulls and other restricted breeds.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Updated · 2 min read
Written by
Senior Writer & Content Strategist 
Edited by
Editor & Content Strategist You know your pit bull wouldn’t hurt a fly. After all, it cowers before the neighbor’s cat. But your renters or homeowners insurance company may be tougher to convince.
“Pit bull” is an umbrella term for various breeds such as the American Staffordshire terrier and American pit bull terrier. Many insurers consider these dogs too dangerous to cover. However, certain carriers are willing to provide home or renters insurance for pit bull owners, especially if the dog has no history of aggression. If all else fails, you can also consider a canine liability policy.
Get home insurance quotes in minutes
Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you. Why won’t home and renters insurers cover pit bulls?
There’s no question that dogs can cause expensive problems. There were more than 28,000 dog bite insurance claims in 2025, and the average cost per claim was more than $65,000, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
The personal liability portion of your homeowners or renters policy can pay these claims, including medical bills and legal fees. However, in some cases, you may have to add animal liability coverage as an endorsement.
Did you know...
An endorsement is an add-on that changes the terms of your insurance policy. Opponents of dog-breed discrimination point to the fact that any dog is capable of biting if threatened, regardless of breed. But many insurers try to lower their risk of claims by refusing to cover larger, stronger breeds that can cause costly injuries. Besides pit bulls, other commonly excluded breeds include:
- Akitas.
- Doberman pinschers.
- German shepherds.
- Great Danes.
- Mastiffs.
- Presa Canarios.
- Rottweilers.
- Siberian huskies.
- Wolves or wolf hybrids.
How insurance companies restrict pit bull coverage
Certain companies won’t sell you coverage if you report owning a pit bull. In some cases, insurers will sell you a policy but refuse to cover claims involving your dog.
Others may be willing to insure homes with pit bulls but at a higher cost. The exact price increase is hard to pinpoint because every company has its own approach to selling insurance to dog owners.
Many of these restrictions depend on where you live. In certain states such as Illinois, Nevada and New York, insurers can’t deny or cancel liability coverage solely based on breed. However, they may be able to refuse coverage if your dog has a history of aggression.
How to find insurance with a pit bull
If your current home or renters insurer won’t allow pit bulls, look for coverage elsewhere. Some insurers, such as State Farm, USAA, Openly and NJM, make coverage decisions based on a dog’s individual behavior rather than its breed.
You can ask an independent insurance agent or fellow pit bull owners for help finding other options in your area. It’s risky to go uninsured, as you could face thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs if your pet lashes out.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Never try to hide your dog from your insurer or lie about its breed. If the company finds false information on your application, it can drop your policy. If you can’t find a willing home or renters insurer, look into a canine liability policy. This type of insurance offers stand-alone coverage geared toward “bully” breeds that other companies won’t touch.
Agencies like Dog Bite Insurance, Xinsurance and the Einhorn Insurance Agency may be able to help you find insurance for your pit bull. You can pair a canine liability policy with a standard homeowners or renters policy that doesn’t cover your dog. (You may need to work with an agent to help you coordinate the coverage.)
Note that canine liability agencies may work with companies known as “excess and surplus lines,” which accept risks that standard insurance companies won't.
If a standard insurance company goes out of business and can’t pay its policyholders’ claims, your state's guaranty association will pay on its behalf. But you don’t have the same protection for excess and surplus policies. For this reason, it’s a good idea to research the insurer offering your policy before buying it.
Learn more about pet liability insurance.
How to prevent dog bites
Once your dog has a documented bite, it gets even harder to find insurance, so your best bet is preventing these incidents in the first place. Here are a few tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Socialize your dog, especially as a puppy, by exposing it to new people, animals and situations.
Supervise kids. Never leave young children alone with a dog. The AVMA says you might want to put off adopting a dog until your kids are at least 5 years old.
Train your dog. Teaching basic commands like “sit” and “come” can build a bond with your pet.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
The AKC offers a Canine Good Citizen program that teaches skills such as accepting touch from a stranger and reacting calmly to other dogs. Monitor your dog. Keep your pet on a leash in public. When it’s interacting with other people or animals, watch its body language. Yawning, a tucked tail and pinned-back ears can be signs of uneasiness. Consider taking the dog out of the situation before it can escalate.
Work with your vet. Dogs may be more likely to snap if they’re in pain, so keeping them healthy is important. Your vet can also help with behavioral issues and advise on whether spaying or neutering is appropriate.
Want help with vet expenses? See our list of the best pet insurance companies.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
- 1. Insurance Information Institute. Spotlight on: Dog Bite Liability. Accessed Apr 15, 2026.
- 2. American Veterinary Medical Association. Dog Bite Prevention. Accessed Apr 15, 2026.
More like this
Related articles
