New Jersey S 1310 would end breed bans by insurance

[RealPitBull]

stopbsl.org/2014/03/05/new-jersey-s-1310-would-end-breed-discrimination-by-insurance-companies/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+StopBsl+%28Stop+BSL%29

[megan]

I wonder if this will make it easier for folks to find rental units that aren't breed discriminatory.

[maryellen]

On the insurance end it might help, i just dont like that the carriers can charge what they want , that is a slippery slope and they can charge insane premiums based on breed which is bsl in a sense

[megan]

I don't disagree, although, they already can charge what they want for various breeds as far as I know. Instead, insurance companies are simply not covering people with certain dog breeds. Certainly I'd prefer not to be charged more for a certain breed of dog, I'd prefer to pay more to keep my dog than not be able to get insurance at all. The winds are changing as far as breed specific laws, unfortunately we may have to allow the process to be a little slower than we'd like in order to see the changes we want down the line.

[daves]

I don't see this as much good news since they allow the insurance carriers to exclude any breed they want from the coverage. See an oposing view here: www.grossmanjustice.com/nj-consumers-beware-of-bill-giving-homeowners-insurance-exclusion-of-coverage-for-your-dog

The actual text of S1310:
1. As used in this act:
"Dog" has the same meaning as defined in section 2 of P.L.1989, c.307
(C.4:19-18).
"Insurer" means any insurer engaged in the business of property and casualty insurance in this State, including commercial lines insurance, pursuant to Subtitle 3 of Title 17 of the Revised Statutes.

2. a. An insurer shall not (1) refuse to issue, (2) cancel, or (3) non-renew a homeowners insurance policy solely on the basis of a dog harbored upon the insured property.

b. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of this section, an insurer may offer or issue a homeowners insurance policy which contains an exclusion against covering any liability for a dog harbored upon the insured property.

c. Whenever an insurer offers or issues a homeowners insurance policy, or a rider, endorsement, or other amendment to the policy, which includes liability or other coverage for a dog, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an insurer's use of underwriting guidelines, risk classifications, or other rules of any rating-system, as defined by section 1 of P.L.1944, c.27 (C.17:29A-1), which establish rates and premiums for that coverage on the basis of a dog harbored upon the insured property.