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Sponsors
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History
- Referred to insurance
- Referred to insurance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Prohibits insurers from refusing to issue or renew, cancel, or charge or impose an increased premium for certain policies based on the breed of a dog owned
In Assembly Committee · Insurance · Sponsor Deborah Glick
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to prohibiting insurers from canceling, refusing to issue or renew, or charging higher premiums for homeowners' insurance based on the breed of dog owned
Purpose
The objective of this legislation is to prevent insurance companies from discriminating against homeowners and renters based on the breed of dog that they own.
Summary of specific provisions
This act would clarify the law in such a manner as to prohibit insurance companies from refusing to issue or renew an insurance policy, from canceling a policy and from charging higher premiums based on ownership of a particular breed of dog. However, when there is a 'dangerous dog' finding under the agriculture and markets law, the refusal to issue or renew a policy, or imposition of higher premiums would still be permitted as long as such a determination is based upon sound underwriting and actuarial principles reasonably related to actual or anticipated loss.
Justification
If a dog had ever attacked and caused injury to a person then there may be a legitimate basis for higher homeowner insurance premiums. However, the current insurance law suggests that the mere ownership of a particular breed of dog is a legitimate basis for higher homeowner insurance premiums. This erroneous practice has placed pet owners in a undeserved bind. While pet owners deserve adequate and affordable homeowner insurance, they are unable to obtain it without removing their friendly animal from the family unit.
This bill would uphold the sanctity of the law by ending the discrimination of homeowners based on the breed of dog that they own. As an equal and fair society, it is key that we amend the insurance law to protect the interests of both homeowners and their kind-hearted companion animals.
Legislative history
2003-2004 S.3888 Referred to Insurance 2007-2008 S.1704 Referred to Insurance
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to all polices issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on or after such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.