The New York Assembly is expected to soon vote on a bill that would prohibit homeowner’s insurance providers from refusing or cancelling coverage or increasing premiums based solely on the breed of dog owned by the policy holder.
All responsible dog owners and breeders in New York are encouraged to contact their Assembly Member to express your support for Assembly Bill 4075. Scroll down for more information.
Summary:
Assembly Bill 4075 prohibits insurers from refusing to issue, renew or cancel or raise premiums for homeowner’s insurance based on breed of dog (or mixed-breed) owned by the policyholder. The bill does allow for insurance companies to take these actions if any dog (regardless of breed) has been declared dangerous based on current law, so long as these actions are based on “sound underwriting and actuarial principles” that are reasonably related to actual or anticipated loss.
New York state law already expressly prohibits municipalities from passing laws that target specific breeds of dogs. AKC supports Assembly Bill 4075, which would extend these protections to homeowners who are responsible dog owners, while still holding all dog owners accountable, regardless of the breed they choose to own.
Visit https://akcgr.org/akc/BSL for more talking points on this issue.
What You Can Do:
- Contact your Assembly Member. Let them know you are a constituent and that you support Assembly Bill 4075. If you have a breed that is often targeted with unfair discrimination, be sure to mention that in your communication.Enter your address at this link to find the name and contact information for your Assembly Member.
- Contact Assembly Member Deborah Glick and thank her for sponsoring AB 4075:
853 Broadway, Suite 2007
New York, NY 10003
212-674-5153
Online Email form: https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Deborah-J-Glick/contact/
AKC Government Relations will continue to closely follow this bill and all legislation impacting dog owners in New York. For questions or more information, contact the AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org