Legislative Proposal to Restrict Dog Breed Insurance Policies in Michigan

A legislative proposal in the House aims to restrict home insurance providers from altering policies or pricing based on dog breeds owned by policyholders. Data reviewed by Forbes Advisor in 2025 highlighted that insurers frequently exclude breeds such as Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Pit Bull Terriers from coverage, citing them as common exclusions.

Insurance Challenges

The American Pet Products Association reports that Pit Bull Terriers were the most popular breed in Michigan for 2025. Supporting data from Rover also identified Pit Bull mixes as prevalent in the state. The Michigan Humane Society has noted that many insurers charge elevated premiums or decline liability coverage for owners of these breeds, whether purebred or mixed.

Breed Identification Issues

The Michigan Humane Society also pointed out challenges in correctly identifying dog breeds involved in biting incidents, stating that misidentifications are common. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has criticized breed-based insurance practices, arguing that these measures are not backed by substantial data. They assert that there's no evidence suggesting breed-specific incidents lead to more significant financial claims for insurers compared to other types of claims.

Legislative Efforts

This proposed bill, reintroduced by Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou, D-East Lansing, seeks to change insurance practices that the ASPCA deems discriminatory. Tsernoglou emphasized that while breed might influence a dog's behavior, not all dogs of a particular breed are aggressive. She highlighted the detrimental effect of such insurance policies on homeowners and renters who view dogs as family members.

This type of legislative restriction against breed-based discrimination by insurers is already in place in states such as Nevada, New York, and Illinois, with several others considering similar proposals. The current Michigan bill is under review by the House Insurance and Financial Services Committee and is cosponsored by several other representatives.

Coverage Insights

The Michigan State University-based Capital News Service reported on this development as part of its coverage of state government and policy issues, focusing on the implications within the insurance sector.