COHEN BILL PREVENTING DOG BREED DISCRIMINATION BY HOMEOWNER INSURERS ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - An Assembly panel today released legislation Assemblymen Neil M. Cohen sponsored to prohibit property and casualty insurers in New Jersey from altering a homeowner's insurance policy based on the type or specific breed of dog kept on the insured property.

"Increasing premiums or denying a homeowner coverage on the basis of dog ownership is insurance discrimination in its purest form," said Cohen (D-Union).  "No one in New Jersey should have to wonder if they will lose their insurance coverage simply because they purchased a pet."

According to the Cohen, insurance companies across the country have adopted the practice of classifying certain breeds of dogs as "high-risk," with respect to insurance policies.  As a result, homeowners in possession of a high-risk breed have seen their homeowner's insurance premiums drastically increase and, in some instances, have lost their coverage entirely.

The bill (A-1951) would prohibit property and casualty insurers from utilizing underwriting guidelines that adversely affect a homeowners insurance policy solely on the basis of the type or breed of dog kept on the property.

"In most cases involving a 'dangerous' breed, the owner is the one responsible for teaching the dog its aggressive or dangerous behavior," said Cohen.  "Giving insurance companies the authority to decide the type of pets someone can own would force many homeowners to either risk losing coverage by keeping 'dangerous' dogs or condone the abandonment of thousands of perfectly safe, happy house pets."

The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee unanimously released the measure.  It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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