>From: Dick Bossart <[log in to unmask]> > >You might check out Liberty Mutual. I have clipped Dick's reply here, just to say... YES! Liberty Mutual (Who owns Peerless Insurance) is a great company, and one we write with daily. I like them a lot. I've gotten several emails regarding this, and I'd like to summarize my response. First, to Heather, Sheepdogs are on the most wanted list. As in, the insurance companies WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THEM, and more dogs like them ;-) I agree that putting a bunch of animals in one big category and prohibiting th em is not fair, but look at it from the insurance companies view. They simply CANNOT deal with every application on a case by case basis. Therefor, they have to do it this way. Look at it in terms of cars. Vetts get driven faster than Chevette's, that's a fact. They are more likely to get a speeding ticket or accident. They are rated as "Performance" vehicles. This relates to animals in that the company looks at what breed has caused the most harm and puts them in a category. This is the only plausible way for them to deal with the issue without raising rates (it takes time and manpower to look at every application and say "Oh, that dog is nice... that one isn't", that costs them $ and you $) As for being denied for coverage based on owning a ferret.... well, I talked to one of our underwriters today about that. She's a sweetheart and was appalled that some one had been cancelled or denied because of them. AND! Let me just state that she has NEVER SEEN ONE. If this is a problem for someone, I would highly suggest that you do as Dick did and educate these people. They are more than receptive to this. They actually WANT your business! But in today's world of lawsuits, they have to be careful. I'd also like to state that yes, indeed, your past history plays a HUGE part. Home Insurance is NOT meant to cover every little detail in life. It is meant to "indemnify" meaning to "return you back financially to where you were before the loss" It protects you from major financial loss. If your roof leaks due to ice, it will fix it. If it burns, it will fix it. If your roof leaks because it's old, they'll tell you to call your bank then call a contractor. It is simply NOT meant to cover things like animal bites. However, due to the wording of liability insurance (included in your home insurance) they have to cover animal bites. I hope this clarifies a little bit the questions I've been asked, and remind you all that there IS something you can do. If your agent doesn't help, call the company directly! Ask to speak to an underwriter, they'll listen :) Jules [Posted in FML issue 4086]