Dog breed-specific policies of Massachusetts insurance companies
Andover Companies (Cambridge Mutual and Merrimack Mutual) ''Likes to avoid" the following breeds: Akita, American bulldog, bullmastiff, Chow, pit bull, Rottweiler, Staffordshire terrier, wolf hybrids, and any dog with a previous biting history or known aggressive tendencies.
May make exceptions.
Barnstable County Mutual Insurance Company
Did not provide information.
Commerce Insurance Company
Considers the following breeds ''unacceptable": Akita, American bulldog, bullmastiff or mastiff, Chow, Doberman, German shepherd, Presa Canario, pit bull, Staffordshire terrier, Yorkshire terrier, ''wolf dog," and any combination of these.
Prospective customers with these dogs will not be accepted.
Existing customers who acquire these dogs will be evaluated on an individual basis. List can change with time.
Hanover Insurance Group (part of Allmerica Financial)
Did not provide information.
Hingham Group
Prefers to ''steer away from" the following breeds: Akita, bull terrier, Cane Corso, Chow, Doberman, German shepherd, husky, pit bull, Rottweiler, wolf hybrid, and any combination of these.
May make exceptions.
Lexington Insurance Company (part of AmericanInternational Group)
Did not provide information.
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Will not deny coverage based solely on breed, but reviews the following breeds for ''insurance acceptability": Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Canary dog/Presa Canario, Chow, Doberman, German shepherd, pit bull, Rottweiler, Siberian husky.
Acceptability may depend on training, temperament, vaccinations, and prior insurance claims.
Special consideration given to dogs that provide assistance to the blind or visually impaired.
One Beacon Insurance Group
Did not provide information.
Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company
Disclosed partial list of dogs it prefers to ''shy away from," including Chow, Doberman, German shepherd, pit bull, Rottweiler, and husky.
May make exceptions.
St. Paul Travelers Companies
Did not provide information.
SOURCE: insurance companies
