House Insurance Question

[Gus_Handsome]

House Insurance Question

I've had house insurance since I became a home owner 10 years ago. (Structure and contents)

At the time we got the original policy we had 2 dogs, now we have 6.

Last month I phoned a online broker that shops around in order to get you a better rate.
Since we've never shopped around or got a quote from someone else, I thought it might be worth a try.

We've never had a claim.

After the rep asked me all the standard questions, she then asked me about pets, what kind, and how many.

When I told her we had 6 dogs, she put me on hold for a few minutes, then when she returned stated "Sorry sir, we won't insure anyone with 6 dogs, the liability is too high, thank you for calling"
~ Click ~

This is something very new to me, and now I'm not sure what to do.
When we first became insured, we were never asked about pets, it never came up.

It's apparent that the insurance companies don't want the liability of dog bites and potential lawsuits.

Am I stuck with the same company for life now?
it seems to me if I shop around, I will always be asked these questions, and answering truthfully will not get me insurance.

Should I inform the current policy holder and tell them just in case there is some small print in the policy I overlooked?
Am I legally obliged to do so?

We're a couple of honest, hardworking folks who live in the country, and have rescued 4 dogs in addition to the 2 we already owned.
A large section of our property is fenced off as the designated dog run, and in no way do we pose a threat to anyone around us by keeping our pets.
5 are Bichon Frise, and one is a Yorkie, none are aggressive.

We have 200 acres of privately owned forest surrounding us with no immediate neighbours.

These new questions posed by the insurance companies are making us feel like criminals, and I've always been honest when answering questions, but now I'm not really sure what to do.

Any thoughts?

Thanks Gus

[Philster]

Keep shopping. Each company can decide what they consider reasonable risks. A better company will look at the whole picture or adjust your rate accordingly.

Don't be offended by one company policy.

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by Gus_Handsome

...
5 are Bichon Frise, and one is a Yorkie, none are aggressive.

...

Did you get a chance to tell them this? If not they probably envisioned 6 snarling 100 pound Rottweiler-Pit Bulls with bad attitudes. I think a bunch of potential ankle-biters would be less intimidating.

[iwakura43]

Everyone's going to say their dog is non-aggressive... the tricky part is proving it.

[Burton]

You are the policy holder. You are not obligated to inform your insurer you have six dogs although if they ask, if you don't answer truthfully and you have a liability claim for a dog bite you risk rescindment of your policy for material misrepresentation.

I would not volunteer to tell them either, chances are good they will cancel your policy. You can keep looking there may be some insurers who'll take the risk but my guess is they'll want additional premium.

[Spoons]

Originally Posted by Gus_Handsome

After the rep asked me all the standard questions, she then asked me about pets, what kind, and how many.

When I told her we had 6 dogs, she put me on hold for a few minutes, then when she returned stated "Sorry sir, we won't insure anyone with 6 dogs, the liability is too high, thank you for calling"

This is what I find curious--I'm not seeing why a broker would be saying "we won't insure"; all the broker does is shop around and if he or she encounters an insurer who says, "we won't insure," then the broker keeps looking. But in my experience, the "we won't insure" decision is not the broker's to make. That's an underwriting decision, made by the insurer. Are you sure you were talking with a broker, and not the agent of one insurer?

My advice will go against all the cool 21st-century technology we've come to know and love, but I'd suggest forgetting the Internet on this one. Open your Yellow Pages and locate a nearby independent insurance broker who knows the people, properties, and conditions in your area. He or she can plead your case to the insurer if necessary: "This is a rural area and it's not unusual for folks to have more than three dogs in this area and besides my prospect's dogs are all little lap dogs"; and will keep trying until he or she finds an insurer who is willing to cover. The independent broker is working for you at this stage, and gets paid only if he or she finds a policy you're willing to buy, so it's in the broker's best interest to do what he or she can to help you.

Hope this is useful. Good luck!