Baby Squirrel Care

Having a canine companion is for many people a wonderful experience but for some insurance companies, it is a reason why they might want to take an extra bite out of your finances or even refuse cover altogether.

If you own a dog, you might get charged a higher rate or if you own a specific breed they will not offer cover at all, so here is a look at why they sometimes balk at providing cover and what you can do about it.

Bite is bigger than the bark

The Insurance Information Institute compiled information for the New York area in 2008 for example, that showed dog bites account for about one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims and totalled $387 million, an increase of nearly 9 percent on the previous 12 months. When you see these facts and figures, you begin to understand why insurers might be accused of profiling owners and trying to restrict insurance terms, but is that fair to discriminate when you consider the number of dog owners there are in the United States?

Dog ownership figures

Figures released by the Humane Society of the United States show that one in three households in the U.S owns a dog, which is about 39 percent or about 77.5 million in actual numbers. Out of this 77.5 million, there were an estimated 4.7 million bites attributed to canines and about 800,000 people who needed emergency room treatment. The insurance companies categorize certain breeds as being more dangerous than others, suggesting breeds such as the Pit Bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd or Doberman Pinscher might be more culpable than others, but there are no official figures to determine which breed might bite more than any other.

The insurers view

To understand how you can get a fair deal and a good price for your home insurance as a dog lover and owner, you need to understand how the insurers put together their risk profile. Homeowners insurance companies seem to view dog owners as about as risky as teenage drivers and having a swimming pool in your backyard, working on the basis that if you dont have a dog it cant bite, being older than a teenager means you will drive safer and not having a swimming pool means you wont have the chance to drown.

Different standards

The point to make about this approach is that within each category there will be differing standards that need to be taken into account. The vast majority of dog owners take their ownership responsibilities very seriously and not every teenage driver is out to cause trouble, so the insurers should look at each case on its merits and reward good behavior over a period of time with lower premiums if there are no claims made.

Shop around

If you are a dog owner, you need to shop around for the best home insurance discounts that recognizes your responsible attitude and are prepared to reward you with a lower premium than some other insurers might offer if they just relied on standard criteria. If you take you dog to obedience school or join an owners group, tell your insurer about it as it could save you money.

Owning a dog is great fun and a way of life, so show your insurance company you care and you should be able to get ED-Mediamenten a good deal on your home insurance.

You should not kiss your dog. Dog kisses are cute, in theory, but understand a dog’s mouth is typically very dirty. Have you ever wanted to get a dog? Do you already have a dog? If you answer yes, this is the article for you. There are techniques here that’ll help with your dog ownership for many years.

Be sure to have your pet spayed or neutered. Your pet stands to enjoy a significantly better (and longer) life.
It costs a lot of money to own a dog. Not only do you have to buy food, but you have to pay their vet bills and purchase other items that they need. You could spend as much as a thousand dollars in one year on your pet! A sick dog could cost you tens of thousands! Look into doggie health insurance!

It’s a great idea to keep a snap-shot of your dog handy (a digital pic on your phone is ideal) whenever you’re traveling with him. By doing this, in case your dog gets lost, you can provide others with a picture and easily put up flyers, which will assist in finding your dog.
Make sure your house is free of doggy danger. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into. Hide medications and chemicals, cover your trash, and put food where he can’t get to it. Certain plants are toxic, and it’s best to move them, too.

Don’t give in to the urge to feed your dog food meant for humans. You will spoil him and his appetite and set up begging behavior.
It is fine to hug your dog, but avoid those wet kisses. Dog kissing may be adorable, but dogs have awfully dirty mouths. You don’t know where your dog’s tongue has been, and you’re better off not knowing. It is an old wives’ tale that dogs have cleaner months than humans. It simply is not true.

Take a photo of your dog when you plan to take him on vacation. This allows you to have a photo of him if he gets lost.

TIP! Your dog deserves to have quality dog food. The brands that are cheaper have preservatives, additives, as well as other things that aren’t good for your dog. You shouldn’t allow your pet off your property if it’s not wearing a leash, even if he is extremely well-behaved. Dogs are easily distracted by other animals, cars, and kids, so always make sure to keep your dog on a leash for his own safety. Ultimately, you’re the one who’s responsible for your dog’s safety, as well as its actions.

TIP! Correct your dog’s bad behavior immediately. If you ignore it, it will be hard to contain it later.
Did you understand the above tips? If you did not, consider rereading a few of the tips. They will provide you with a great amount of stress relief when a problem does come up, since you will have some great solutions in hand. Utilize this advice, and you and your dog will have a wonderful relationship.

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