Connecticut Bill Targets Dog Breed Discrimination in Insurance Underwriting
Connecticut state legislators are advancing a bill to prohibit insurance companies from discriminating in underwriting homeowner insurance policies based on the breed of a dog. This legislative initiative, driven by bipartisan support including state Rep. Tammy Nuccio and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, aims to eliminate increased premiums or policy cancellations tied to certain dog breeds.
Currently, insurers often factor dog breed into risk assessments due to concerns over the potential severity of dog bite claims. Breeds such as pit bulls, rottweilers, and akitas are frequently associated with higher insurance risks because of their size and strength, which can result in more costly claims. However, legislative proponents argue that behavioral risk is more accurately linked to owner management than breed alone.
The bill reflects a broader trend with at least eight other states considering similar measures to restrict the role of dog breed in insurance underwriting. This movement challenges traditional liability standards in Connecticut, where strict liability applies to dog bite incidents, automatically holding owners responsible for damages.
Insurance industry representatives express concern that removing breed as a factor in underwriting complicates the risk model and could necessitate changes from strict liability to negligence-based frameworks. Additionally, sponsors highlight the potential for breed-based underwriting criteria to function as a proxy for socioeconomic discrimination, limiting housing access.
The bill also arises amid evolving societal views on dogs, transitioning from working animals to close companions, necessitating adjustments in insurance risk perspectives. The legislative effort has been ongoing for four years, with advocates hoping for passage in the current session. If successful, this law would alter how insurers evaluate homeowner risk related to dog ownership, affecting underwriting practices and claims handling in Connecticut's insurance marketplace.