It is a smart idea to have insurance for your pet. Take care to find homeowners or renters insurance that covers pet damage and dog bites. You may also want to consider purchasing a health insurance policy for your dog.

Homeowners Insurance

You feel like you're finally living the American Dream: you're in a secure relationship, you have a wonderful German Shepherd Dog (one of the most popular breeds in the country), and you're ready to move from a rental and buy your first home. After months of searching, you and your partner have found the perfect place, and you make an offer. Next thing you know, the insurance company is giving you a hard time. Not because you can't afford the insurance, but because of the fact that you have a German Shepherd.

In most parts of the country insurance companies are within their rights to deny people homeowners insurance or charge higher premiums because they have a certain breed of dog. Even if you have been with a carrier for a long time and it's time to renew, you may be refused a policy. Dog bites account for hundreds of millions of dollars in claims every year.

Be aware that owning a bully breed can increase your risk of being denied coverage. Ask fellow dog owners in your area for recommendations for companies and agents. Another place to start is with your state's insurance commissioner, who will have a list of all the companies that supply homeowners insurance wherever you live. Speak with multiple insurance agents at different companies and ask specific questions about their policies. Find out if there are any breeds they will not cover or for which they will charge you a premium. Some companies have a blanket ban on certain breeds, while others decide on a case-by-case basis. Ask if there are any ways to lower a premium by spaying or neutering your dog or showing proof of obedience training. You may be able to sign a liability waiver for dog bites. If there is no way a company will insure your dog, look into buying separate coverage for your dog.

Renting with a Dog

Many landlords do not allow lessees to keep dogs. If yours does, do your best to be courteous. Do not allow the dog to damage the property, and make sure your dog is spayed or neutered and properly trained. You should also get renters insurance, which is similar to homeowners insurance. This will cover you if your dog happens to bite anyone. Follow the suggestions outlined previously for finding homeowners insurance.

Pet Health Insurance

Veterinary medicine is one of the few areas of medical practice in the United States that is not financially based on insurance. That means that when you walk into a veterinarian's office for care, you're expected to pay for the care you receive that day in full. When your dog is a puppy and basically healthy and your veterinary visits are limited to routine checkups, vaccine protocols, and preventive care, your bills may not seem so bad.

But pet insurance isn't based on things going normally — or even particularly well. The reality is that your dog may be perfectly healthy one day and suffer a tear of her cruciate ligament the next; or she may get hit by a car and need surgery; or she may develop a congenital health problem that needs high-cost prescriptions and frequent veterinary visits. These are the unknowns that you want to try to insure against so that the bills they incur don't bankrupt you.

To find a policy that's right for you, consult your veterinarian, breeder, or rescue organization for recommendations on pet health insurance companies. Evaluate your needs and research the policies. Find out whether the plan includes the following:

routine wellness

vaccines

spaying or neutering

dental cleaning

surgery and hospitalization

prescription medication

flea and heartworm preventives

Inquire about waiting periods, coverage for preexisting conditions, deductibles, and insurance caps. The most basic plans cost about $150 per year, while more extensive coverage can cost more than $500 per year. Either of these figures is less than what you would pay for a health emergency. Surgery, hospitalization, tests, and medication can easily cost you thousands of dollars without insurance.

Breed-Specific Laws and Legislation

Confess: Do you think Pit Bulls will maul to kill if incited to? Do you think a Doberman is an inherently dangerous breed? Would you worry if you owned a Yorkie and your neighbor owned a pair of German Shepherds? In all honesty, everyone harbors breed prejudices, born out of experience or media hype. Local legislators in some parts of the country have enacted laws regarding certain breeds. Most often, these include bully breeds that have received bad press for attacking people.

Some cities impose bans on certain breeds. Others require that owners of certain breeds get permits for their dogs and comply with regulations. Requirements may include spaying or neutering your dog, purchasing liability insurance, paying a higher licensing fee, and muzzling your dog in public. Find out what restrictions your city, county, or state has regarding dogs.

Breed-specific discrimination exists everywhere. The American Kennel Club actively assists clubs and individuals all around the country who face such problems. If you have any concerns about this issue, visit the AKC Web site at www.akc.org/canine_legislation/index.cfm.