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- 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 solely on the breed of dog owned
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Deborah Glick
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4822
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 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'. These provisions shall not prohibit an insurer from increasing premium or rate based upon prior paid liability claims if that dog or dogs still reside in the insured's home or household.
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 an 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.
For years, insurance companies that offer homeowners insurance have avoided loss because of the burglary prevention provided by homeowners' dogs. It is unacceptable that now insurance companies would want the ability to deny overage based on the exact same breed of dog that they may have protected the homeowners and the insurance company from loss.
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
2012 A.3507A
Fiscal implications
None to the State
Effective date
This act shall take effect 90 days after it shall have become 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.