Tag Archives: Insurance

New York bill to prohibit insurance discrimination ordered to third reading

Posted on January 17, 2014 by | 2 comments

Last year a bill was introduced in the New York state legislature that would address breed discrimination in insurance practices.

The bill, A3952, would prohibit insurance companies that conduct business in New York state from canceling or refusing to issue a policy based solely on the breed of the clients dogs.  The bill died in the Senate during the 2013 session because the session ended.

Not only would this bill prevent companies from refusing to issue or canceling coverage, this bill would also prevent differential pricing based on the breed of dog of the insured.

The direct language of the bill states that,

NO INSURER SHALL REFUSE TO ISSUE OR
    6  RENEW, CANCEL, OR CHARGE OR IMPOSE AN INCREASED PREMIUM OR RATE FOR SUCH
    7  POLICY OR CONTRACT BASED SOLELY UPON HARBORING OR OWNING ANY  DOG  OF  A
    8  SPECIFIC BREED OR MIXTURE OF BREEDS.

The bill does not prevent insurers from canceling or refusing coverage to dogs who have been declared dangerous or have a bite history or history of aggressive behavior specific to that dog.

On January 8th the bill was reintroduced to the New York legislature.   The Senate returned the bill to assembly.    The bill was then ordered to its third reading.

A3952 is on the calendar for  Wednesday, January 22nd 2014.

This bill would help so many people in the community.

It would help renters by eliminating discriminatory policies for those who own property, making it easier for landlords who would be open to renting to some one with a targeted dog to do so.  This increases housing options and as a result, owner retention in situations where people have to move.

They also help to compensate victims of dog bites by increasing the pool of covered owners.

They also help a lot of dog owners.  Insurance companies can restrict any breed of dog they wish.  There are currently quite a few breeds and mixes that cannot get coverage.  This is NOT just a “pit bull” issue.  It effects the owners of German Shepherds, Chow Chows, Rottweilers, Akita, Husky, Malamute, every dog that is on one insurance list or another.

NEW YORK RESIDENTS:  Please reach out now and tell your legislators that you support this bill.

You can find you Assembly members on the states website here.

Because of the powerful opposition to any form of insurance regulations, it is incredibly important that legislators constituents reach out to support such measures.

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Maryland bill to address breed discrimination by insurance tabled

Posted on February 15, 2013 by | 3 comments

A little while ago we issued an alert for a bill that was introduced in Maryland to prevent breed discrimination by insurance companies.

As a result of the hearings on this bill the committee has decide to table the bill to wait and see what is any effects the court of appeals ruling of Tracey v. Solesky will have on dog owners in the insurance market.

Tabling a bill is not uncommon, and is usually done as a measure to gather more information so the bill does not have to be refiled and start over from the beginning.

While this is not necessarily the best outcome it is not the worst either.  Legislators have shown a willingness to keep the matter open for discussion.

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Posted in Insurance, Maryland, State Specific

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New York introduces a bill to prevent insurance discrimination

Posted on February 7, 2013 by | Comments Off on New York introduces a bill to prevent insurance discrimination

A bill has been introduced in the New York senate to prevent insurance companies from refusing coverage based on the breed of the persons dog.

SB 2568  “Prohibits insurers issuing policies insuring personal injury and property damage arising out of home ownership or lease, from cancelling or refusing to issue or renew such a policy, or charging increased premiums based upon the harboring of a specific breed of dog on the premises; provides that such provisions shall not apply if the dog harbored has been designated as a dangerous dog pursuant to section 123 of the agriculture and markets law.”

Under this bill only a person who’s dog has a designation of dangerous or a history of aggressive behavior could be excluded from coverage.

New York State residents: Reach out to your legislators and ask them to support SB 2568.

Best Friends Animal Society has created a simple form to show support for this bill.  This form can be found here.

If you would like to reach out personally to your legislators the New York state official website has an equally simple contact form that can be found  here.

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New York: Assembly Bill 3507 would prohibit insurance breed discrimination

Posted on June 24, 2012 by | 2 comments

New York Assembly Bill 3507 prohibits insurers from refusing to issue or renew, cancel, or charge or impose an increased premium for homeowners’ insurance policies based on the breed of a dog owned.

Insurers may still take any of these actions if the individual dog has been declared dangerous. (In New York, dogs cannot be declared dangerous based on breed.)

This bill has passed the Assembly and is now on the Senate side.

New York residents, please contact your Senators and show your support for this bill! Find your Senator here: http://www.nysenate.gov/

Bill tracking page: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A03507&term=&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y

Many thanks to North East Animal Rescue for the info.

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Posted in New York, Non-BSL Proposed

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West Virginia HB 4432 would prohibit breed discrimination by property insurance co

Posted on February 9, 2012 by | Comments Off on West Virginia HB 4432 would prohibit breed discrimination by property insurance co

Update 5/28/12: The legislative session is over and this bill is dead.

Filed this week in West Virginia, HB 4432 is a very simple bill that would prohibit declination or termination of property insurance based solely upon a home owner’s possession of a certain breed of dog. The bill does not prohibit insurers from denying coverage for any dog that has actually bitten.

Some people have had difficulty finding a place to live with their pet dog, even if it’s well-trained and well-behaved, because it looks like a breed that the property insurance company prohibits. HB 4432 would make it possible for people to get property insurance no matter what their dog looks like. However, bills like HB 4432 can be a hard sell; insurance companies have a lot of money and influence, and they don’t like being told to stop discriminating.

With things going well for BSL repeals in Ohio, Florida, and elsewhere, we feel that with enough public support, WV HB 4432 has potential to succeed.

HB 4432 has been moved to the House Banking and Insurance committee. It is not on the agenda yet. Please write the following committee members and ask them to support HB 4432.
clif.moore@wvhouse.gov; d.perry@wvhouse.gov; delegatedoug@yahoo.com; daniel.hall@wvhouse.gov; tom.azinger@wvhouse.gov; bob.ashley@wvhouse.gov; jonathan@delegatejmiller.com; ron.walters@wvhouse.gov; sam.cann@wvhouse.gov; ryan.ferns@wvhouse.gov; ron.fragale@wvhouse.gov; john.frazier@wvhouse.gov; bill.hartman@wvhouse.gov; mhunt@markahunt.com; richard.iaquinta@wvhouse.gov; virginia.mahan@wvhouse.gov; tmanchin@manchininjurylaw.com; harold@hardynet.com; delegatejim@aol.com; stan.shaver@wvhouse.gov; david.walker@wvhouse.gov; mitch.carmichael@wvhouse.gov; nelson@wvhouse.gov; john.oneal@wvhouse.gov; brian.savilla@wvhouse.gov

Read the text of WV HB 4432: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb4432%20intr.htm&yr=2012&sesstype=RS&i=4432

All alerts for HB 4432: http://stopbsl.com/?s=WV+HB+4432

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Auburn, KY: City may lower insurance requirement (BSL)

Posted on December 29, 2011 by | Comments Off on Auburn, KY: City may lower insurance requirement (BSL)

Auburn, KY, has BSL that includes a requirement for “pit bull” owners to have $300,000 in liability insurance. This is one of the highest liability insurance requirements in the nation and has proven impossible for people to obtain. Consequently, Auburn is considering lowering the liability insurance requirement to $100,000.

Why not encourage Auburn to repeal its breed-specific law altogether?

Contact info for Auburn, KY
103 East Main Street, P.O. Box 465, Auburn, KY 42206
PH: (270) 542-4149
FX: (270) 542-4143
E-Mail: auburnky@logantele.com
Auburn City Council meetings are held at Auburn City Hall on the 2nd Monday of every month at 6:00PM.

Auburn looks at lowering required insurance coverage for vicious dogs

by Chris Cooper Managing Editor

Owners of vicious dog breeds in the city of Auburn may have easier access to purchasing the required insurance coverage as specified in the city’s ordinance under registration of vicious dogs.

The city council entertained a request Monday, Dec. 12 by city police chief Ron Mills to amend the city’s current animal ordinance concerning vicious dogs. Mills asked to lower the requiring $300,000 worth of coverage down to $100,000 because it is impossible for dog owners to adhere to that request as there is no one who will supply that coverage. […]

Mills will bring the amendment to the city council in January and then it will have to have two readings before passage.

Full article retrieved 12/29/11 from http://www.newsdemocratleader.com/view/full_story/16874393/article-Auburn-looks-at-lowering-required-insurance-coverage-for-vicious-dogs

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Posted in Insurance, Kentucky, Results of BSL

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White Sulphur Springs, MT: BSL passed (“pit bulls,” Rotts, Dobes)

Posted on July 2, 2010 by | Comments Off on White Sulphur Springs, MT: BSL passed (“pit bulls,” Rotts, Dobes)

Town passes insurance requirement for owners of aggressive dog breeds

By KARL PUCKETT • Tribune Staff Writer • July 1, 2010

White Sulphur Springs has passed an amendment to its animal ordinance that now requires owners of certain breeds of dogs with reputations for aggressive behavior to purchase $500,000 in liability insurance in case in the animal attacks somebody…. Owners of pit bulls, Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers need to purchase the insurance, regardless of whether their dog has a record of aggressive behavior.

Read the rest of the story here: 

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20100701/NEWS01/7010302

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