Will Your Insurance Company Drop You Because of Your Dog- Even If Your Dog Hasn't Done Anything Wrong?

Under existing rules in New York State, insurance companies are permitted to drop current customers, or deny insurance to prospective customers, based only on the breed of dog they own. Even if there is no history of any problem behavior, even if the dog is a conformation champion, a certified therapy dog, a service dog, or simply a treasured pet owned by the family for years.

(PRWEB) May 8, 2005 -- Often people are amazed to learn that their dogs are on the hot list" of more than 20 breeds. Underwriting policies vary from company to company, but the growing list includes Siberian Huskies, Great Danes, German Shepherds, Akitas, Malamutes, Saint Bernards, American Pit Bull Terriers, Dobermans, Bull Terriers, Mastiffs, Dalmatians, and many other breeds and mixes.

Dog owners across the country are pressuring their state legislatures for protection from such unreasonable, unfair practices. In Michigan, Virginia and Pennsylvania breed profiling tactics are illegal. Recently many state legislatures have considered proposals designed to protect good dogs and good dog owners from discrimination, including nearby New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine.

The American Dog Owners Association commends lawmakers on proposals to end this discrimination.

In New York, where breed specific legislation has been prohibited for years, State Senator Dean Skelos of Rockville Center and Assemblymember Anthony Seminerio of Queens are pushing for deeds not breeds" protection for homeowners insurance customers.    New Yorkers recently collected thousands of petition signatures to forward to the Chairs of the State Assembly and Senate Standing Committees on Insurance.

In addition to ADOA, such legislative proposals carry the support of other national organizations such as the American Kennel Club, and New York State groups like the Long Island Coalition of Dog Fanciers, the Responsible Dog Owners Association of New York, and many others.

ADOA asks all New York dog owners to voice their approval of legislation to prohibit discriminatory insurance practices by contacting their own legislators today and asking them to vote in favor of A4897/S2889.

Founded in 1970, ADOA is a member-based not-for-profit organization and the nation's leading advocate working to preserve the rights of responsible dog owners. www.adoa.org

Further information:    Mahlon Goer, Regional Legislative Coordinator

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