I recently decided to switch homeowners insurance companies in order to
take advantage of a multiple-policy discount offered by Erie Insurance.
While my agent was writing the policy, he asked me if I still had
ferrets, and if so, that "Erie is not accepting new business with
ferrets." (kind of humorous, if you think about it...) My agent said
that "I apologize, I was surpised to here this is well. Erie did not
have a problem with this in the past, but insurance company guidelines
with regards to ferrets have changed. You can expect to be covered if
a raccoon, skunk or other wild animal wreaks havoc in your home. But
standard policies won't cover damage from termites, rodents or your pet
ferret." It's not clear what kind of damage Erie is expecting from pet
ferrets, but it is NOT a bite-liability issue, like with some high-risk
dogs. Also, it appears that this is only for new Erie policies of homes
that already have ferrets. I'm curious to find out about the
circumstances or the incidents that brought about this policy.

My concern is that this may be indicative of other insurance companies
and their homeowners policies. Considering that Erie is a somewhat
large company and the "ferret exclusion" is a new policy, who knows how
this could affect other companies and our ability to get homeowners
insurance in the future. Erie conducts business in Illinois, Indiana,
Maryland, DC, North Carolina, NY, Ohio, PA, Tennessee, Virginia,
Wisconsin, and West Virginia. (I'm in PA). I plan on calling around
(in my search for a new company that doesn't promulgate such ignorance)
to find out if this is the case with other companies .

I asked for a contact at Erie Insurance HQ who could be contacted
regarding this policy. My agent said that I could send any letters
regarding this to him, and that he would forward them to the
appropriate office. If anyone is interested in helping to provide
scientifically accurate information to Erie in the hopes that the
policy would be revised, you can contact me for my agent's address,
or send it directly to Erie yourself.

Erie Insurance Group
100 Erie Insurance Place
Erie, PA 16530-1104

Feel free to cross-post, if the urge strikes. I feel a bit odd posting
about this and saying to send letters (I'm normally a lurker), but
thought it should be brought up.

Thanks,
Brenda

[Posted in FML 5549]