The Washington State Legislature is weighing a bill that would prevent insurers from denying applications for homeowner insurance policies, or canceling, refusing to renew, or modifying existing policies, on the basis that applicants or insureds own specific breeds of dog.
The American Insurance Association is urging Washington lawmakers not to pass the legislation, saying that it would limit insurers' ability to underwrite homeowner insurance. "Insurers must have the tools necessary to appropriately rate risks," said Steve Suchil, AIA assistant vice president, western region. "If consideration of dog breed is not allowed in underwriting, insurers will not be able to calculate fully how much risk they are assuming."
Suchil cited Center for Disease Control and Prevention statistics showing that 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year, resulting in 800,000 injuries that require medical attention.
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