Homeowners Insurance Lawsuit Alleges Pit Bull Discrimination

An Oregon homeowners insurance lawsuit seeks to change an insurer’s practice of not providing policies for homeowners who use pit bulls as service dogs. The homeowners insurance lawsuit alleges that Travelers Insurance discriminated against Portland-area homeowners who use pit bulls as service animals. Investigators with the Fair Housing Council of Oregon found that the insurer would not even provide price quotes for the homeowners, despite the dogs’ extensive training and the homeowners’ medical records.

Breed Discrimination Spurs Homeowners Insurance Lawsuit

The homeowners insurance lawsuit alleges that Travelers and other providers who refuse to offer policies for people with pit bulls as service animals are in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. A provision of the Fair Housing Act makes it illegal for insurers to refuse to provide policies based on the breed of a service animal. The homeowners insurance lawsuit also states that the insurers ignored documentation that showed the pit bulls’ training as a service animal and based their decisions solely on the dogs’ breed.

Investigation Tied to Homeowners Insurance Lawsuit

When the Fair Housing Council of Oregon received complaints about the insurer’s actions, they worked to find out why the insurer was refusing to offer policies. The homeowners insurance lawsuit stated that the testers made four calls to a Portland-based insurer regarding their decisions regarding pit bulls, but none of those calls were returned. The agency then sent investigators undercover to get price quotes. According to the homeowners insurance lawsuit, when the investigators told the insurer that they used pit bulls as service animals, the insurer refused to give them a quote.

Homeowners Insurance Lawsuit and Pit Bull Laws

The Oregon homeowners insurance lawsuit has brought added attention to state and local laws regarding pit bulls. The More than 700 municipalities have laws in place restricting or banning the ownership of pit bulls. The web site for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals lists 18 states that have “breed-specific legislation” regarding pit bulls. The homeowners insurance lawsuit seeks to refute the breed’s bad reputation and show that these animals can be of service.

Homeowners Insurance Lawsuit and Provider Choices

Insurance providers often vary in how the approach pit bull owners. Some providers may charge higher rates for their homeowners insurance policies to pit bull owners, while others will refuse to offer them policies at all. Michael Barry, a spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute, told a local TV station that insurers are hesitant to insure pit bull owners, since damage awards for dog bites “can get very expensive in a hurry.” Dennis Steinman, an attorney involved in the homeowners insurance lawsuit, said that an insurer’s policy decision “has to be based on that particular dog.”

Source: KOB-TV

Get Answers For Your Homeowners Insurance Lawsuit Questions

To find out how we can answer your questions about homeowners insurance lawsuits, contact one of our attorneys today. Our intake team will take down the details of your case and quickly connect you to an attorney who understands how to get the most from your homeowners insurance lawsuit. You can also fill out the “Free Case Evaluation” form at the top of this page.