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S3092Senate2011-2012 SessionSame asA3507

Prohibits insurers from refusing to issue or renew, cancel, or charge or impose an increased premium for certain policies based solely on the breed of dog owned

Sponsor Joseph E. RobachSD-56Affects Finance
Status
In Senate Committee
Insurance
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Insurance

What's happening

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Who cares

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Joseph E. Robach

Senator · Senate District 56

Chair, Labor

No co-sponsors yet.

History

  1. Print number 3092b
  2. Amend and recommit to insurance
  3. Referred to insurance
  4. Print number 3092a
  5. Amend and recommit to insurance
  6. Referred to insurance

Companion bill

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

BILL NUMBER:S3092B

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 2009-2010: S.404 Referred to Insurance

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it becomes a law and shall apply to all policies 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.