I am a writer with ValuePenguin (www.valuepenguin.com), a site that provides consumers with helpful articles and information on financial topics. I’m looking to interview homeowners insurance professionals, policy holders/homeowners, attorneys and other sources for the following article: PET-FRIENDLY POLICIES: HOW OWNING CERTAIN PET BREEDS CAN INCREASE YOUR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND RISKS. This story will explore why owning certain pets can make your homeowners insurance more expensive and increase your risk of a claim, and what to expect if a claim involving a pet needs to be filed. Below is a list of questions I’m seeking answers to. I can either conduct a phone or email interview (with the latter, please email me back full-sentence written responses that I can use as quotes). My deadline is noon central time, Wednesday, May 13, 2015.
QUESTIONS:1. (This first question is only for homeowners who currently have or have had in the past any risky pet breeds): What kind of dog/pet do you have, and how did owning this pet increase your homeowners insurance premium or risk(s) in any way? Did you ever have to file a claim involving this pet—if so, what were the details, how was it resolved, and how did it affect/cost you in any way? What would you do differently today if you had the chance? Any tips for other homeowners insurance policy holders here? What is your full name and city/state of residence?2. (The rest of the questions are for insurance or legal experts): How can owning a pet, especially a risky breed, affect your homeowners insurance costs, terms and risk? What are the riskiest breeds of pets to own and why, and what are the least risky types of pets to own?3. What do homeowners need to consider carefully when it comes to homeowners insurance before obtaining any pet, especially a risky breed? How much extra can this pet ownership cost them in the form of homeowners insurance premiums?4. Why and when do homeowners need to inform their insurance company that they own any pet before starting/continuing a policy? What are the risks of not telling the insurance company?5. How can homeowners with pets decrease their risk of accidents/injuries/claims caused by that pet? What steps can they take to minimize their risks/liability?6. What types of coverage limits do you recommend homeowners increase to if they own a pet (e.g., at least $500,000 liability)? Please be specific.7. What happens if a claim needs to be filed that was caused by the pet? Please provide a hypothetical example (e.g., your pit bull jumps on the mail carrier and she hits her head on the sidewalk as she falls), indicate the damages (medical, personal stress, etc.) and indicate what your insurance will cover/not cover in this instance.8. Under what circumstances can/will your insurance company increase your premiums or even drop your coverage after a claim or issue involving a pet?9. What happens if you are dropped? How hard and expensive is it to get coverage from another insurer? 10. Do you have any statistics/data that illustrate this topic in any way? Please cite the source of the data.11. Any other thoughts or ideas on this topic you’d like to offer?12. What is your full name, title, degrees/credentials, company, city/state location, and email address?
Keywords
size, serif, arial, sans, family, 0pt, font, pet, homeowners, insurance, claim, pets, increase, valuepenguin, risky, risk, own, owning, company, way, coverage, full, involving, risks, premiums, policy, breeds, questions, email
Share with your colleagues, friends or anyone
