Geico + Dobermans = No Go - Page 7

obiethedobe · 09-12-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natdobe

The whole insurance thing is just a bunch of BS. We use State Farm. If someone breaks into my home I wouldn't give a crap if my dog's bit them. They would just be protecting the property. They let anyone in that we do, and they are nice to our guests. If someone is there that we don't invite in then that's their problem.

That has nothing to do with insurance! It is the legal system saying that a criminal has the right to sue. Do you think the insurance company wants to pay out to a criminal because your dog bit them? No, they will fight it but in the end the legal system says they are entitled to safety.

**DreamDoby** · 09-12-2008, 04:09 PM

I really think that the don't tell theory is a bit misleading. When I bought my first house, I called so many insurances looking around and fully disclosed what type of dogs I had. I didn't want any type of issues down the road or risk losing my insurance at the worse possible time. My sister insured their new house when they bought and their agent sent them a notice two weeks after notifying them of the work that they had to do to the house or they would lose their insurance with them. The only way the agent would of course know this is by going to the house and nosing around. Agents can stop by and snoop anytime. If they came by and saw a dog barking or looking out the window that they blacklist, do you really think they wouldn't think twice to drop you? Honesty is always the best way, especially when they are working for you.

My insurance doesn't blacklist any breed. They look instead at the bite history of every dog regardless of breed. That should be the way it is. That is why I chose them and still use them now with my current house.

Baruch · 09-12-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktlane

Allstate doesn't! But they feel free to jack up your premium every year regardless!!

All of our insurance is through Allstate (Auto, Life, Homeowners)! WOW! I didn't know that. I hope they don't find out I have a killing machine living here with my 2 small kids, Oh and the many neighborhood kids that come over.

natdobe · 09-12-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obiethedobe

That has nothing to do with insurance! It is the legal system saying that a criminal has the right to sue. Do you think the insurance company wants to pay out to a criminal because your dog bit them? No, they will fight it but in the end the legal system says they are entitled to safety.

I know it has nothing to do with insurance. I was just using someone breaking in as an example that may be the one thing that may provoke my dobies to bite someone or become "vicious." I just think it is ridiculous that insurance refuses to cover someone just because of dog breed prejudices. If this is the case then they need to NOT cover anyone with ANY breed of dog, because ANY dog has the potential to bite, no matter how big or small they are. I know someone that was over at a friends house that had to have 5 stitches below her eye because a 14 month old toy poodle bit her and wouldn't let go. It was also unprovoked. I was there and saw it happen. He weighed about four pounds. He growled every time someone got close to his owner. I'm sure it was his owner's fault because of lack of discipline and socialization. Anyway, just clarifying my above post obie.

obiethedobe · 09-12-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natdobe

I know it has nothing to do with insurance. I was just using someone breaking in as an example that may be the one thing that may provoke my dobies to bite someone or become "vicious." I just think it is ridiculous that insurance refuses to cover someone just because of dog breed prejudices. If this is the case then they need to NOT cover anyone with ANY breed of dog, because ANY dog has the potential to bite, no matter how big or small they are. I know someone that was over at a friends house that had to have 5 stitches below her eye because a 14 month old toy poodle bit her and wouldn't let go. It was also unprovoked. I was there and saw it happen. He weighed about four pounds. He growled every time someone got close to his owner. I'm sure it was his owner's fault because of lack of discipline and socialization. Anyway, just clarifying my above post obie.

Oh, yeah I totally agree. I got a serious bite from a cocker and the owners made it out like it was no biggie, saying it was MY fault! ridiculous. There should be no prejudice but there are way more lawsuits from bites from big dogs than little ones and insurers know that. It's riskier for them to insure people who have big dogs because they can do more damage.

**Colorado Dobes** · 09-12-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obiethedobe

Unfortunately there is a lot of mis-information that goes around about insurance companies. I have been in the industry for a while now and am the first to admit that there are companies who will fight claims tooth and nail to try and deny them.

BUT, not all companies are like that. And it is completely ridiculous to say that if there was hail damage to your home, and the adjuster came out and saw your dobe that the company would BACKDATE cancellation. This is absolutely not true.

When you apply for insurance it is the responsibility of the agent/broker to ask all the questions needed. The principle of insurance is "utmost good faith" meaning that both parties are being honest and up front about things that are "material" to the contract. Material facts are what companies use to find the right premium for a policy, or determine if they will write a policy in the first place. Some companies don't rate for dogs, but some do.

If they didn't ask if you had a dog, or if you said you have a dog but they didn't ask what breed they can't touch you. If they found out it was a dobe later on they could cancel you on your renewal date but have to give you notice.

It is up to the agent/broker to ask the right questions, if they didn't ask and should have the company can go after the broker/agent and that is why they have their own errors and omissions insurance for.

I have been on both sides, the underwriter side and broker side and know how serious it is for a broker to ask all the questions needed, or else they are on the hook.

Sorry this is so long-winded. But it bothers me that my industry has such a bad rep. sometimes. Insurance companies have to charge the right premium for the risk it undertakes, and dogs are risky. Especially large dogs.

Obie, I used to be in the insurance business. I like the company I worked for and can say that I don't think they would fight tooth and nail to get out of paying a claim, but I can name you at least 5 others who would. It IS possible that the hail damage situation COULD happen. Yes, the agent has the responsibility of asking questions, but the POLICYHOLDER has the responsibility of knowing what their policy covers. Policyholders are given a copy of their policies at policy instatement and at policy renewal. No agent goes over everything that is/isn't covered at the onset of the claim. So I stand by what I said.

reddobes · 09-12-2008, 10:49 PM

I have Allstate and they do not have a problem w/ the breed - the only question I was asked was if my doberman had bitten anyone. I have been with them for 13 yrs.
Keep in mind that the policies of various companies can really vary from state to state.

I oppose ANY breed specific policies or legislation.

Dobejazz · 09-12-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reddobes

I have Allstate and they do not have a problem w/ the breed - the only question I was asked was if my doberman had bitten anyone. I have been with them for 13 yrs.
Keep in mind that the policies of various companies can really vary from state to state.

I oppose ANY breed specific policies or legislation.

We have Allstate here in Illinois with no problems as well - I know our agent knows we had Jazz and he never mentioned anything

obiethedobe · 09-12-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado Dobes

Obie, I used to be in the insurance business. I like the company I worked for and can say that I don't think they would fight tooth and nail to get out of paying a claim, but I can name you at least 5 others who would. It IS possible that the hail damage situation COULD happen. Yes, the agent has the responsibility of asking questions, but the POLICYHOLDER has the responsibility of knowing what their policy covers. Policyholders are given a copy of their policies at policy instatement and at policy renewal. No agent goes over everything that is/isn't covered at the onset of the claim. So I stand by what I said.

That's fine, but I stand by what I said. It could happen in theory but in real life would it? No.
How many people actually read their policy documents?? A very small percentage.
The broker/agent HAS to go over what is MATERIAL to the contract - some companies will consider owning a doberman to be material and some wont.
So if the broker asked if there was a dobe, the client said no, and there actually was, the insurer could get off risk with 15 days notice.
I would love to see an example where they would actually back-date a cancellation for that.