[maryellen]

http://www.politickernj.com/cohen-bi...advances-16676

COHEN BILL PREVENTING DOG BREED DISCRIMINATION BY HOMEOWNER INSURERS ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - An Assembly panel today released legislation Assemblymen Neil M. Cohen sponsored to prohibit property and casualty insurers in New Jersey from altering a homeowner's insurance policy based on the type or specific breed of dog kept on the insured property.
"Increasing premiums or denying a homeowner coverage on the basis of dog ownership is insurance discrimination in its purest form," said Cohen (D-Union). "No one in New Jersey should have to wonder if they will lose their insurance coverage simply because they purchased a pet."
According to the Cohen, insurance companies across the country have adopted the practice of classifying certain breeds of dogs as "high-risk," with respect to insurance policies. As a result, homeowners in possession of a high-risk breed have seen their homeowner's insurance premiums drastically increase and, in some instances, have lost their coverage entirely.
The bill (A-1951) would prohibit property and casualty insurers from utilizing underwriting guidelines that adversely affect a homeowners insurance policy solely on the basis of the type or breed of dog kept on the property.
"In most cases involving a 'dangerous' breed, the owner is the one responsible for teaching the dog its aggressive or dangerous behavior," said Cohen. "Giving insurance companies the authority to decide the type of pets someone can own would force many homeowners to either risk losing coverage by keeping 'dangerous' dogs or condone the abandonment of thousands of perfectly safe, happy house pets."
The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee unanimously released the measure. It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.
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Contact: Assemblyman Cohen
(908) 624-0880
James Sverapa IV
(609) 292-7065

[screamin'eagle]

Originally Posted by maryellen h "Increasing premiums or denying a homeowner coverage on the basis of dog ownership is insurance discrimination in its purest form," said Cohen (D-Union). "No one in New Jersey should have to wonder if they will lose their insurance coverage simply because they purchased a pet."

agreed, and this sounds like good news...

[maryellen]

i have been trying for over 3 years to get this bill into effect, i started out talking with cohen about how the insurance companies discriminate.. now its getting soo close..

[Patch O' Pits]

It is a long time coming!!!!

I hope it gets passed!

Just sent this again to all my NJ e-mail buddies

[cokacola]

I have run into the problem of finding a place to rent because of the insurance companies charging a rediculous premium if the owner has a renter with a certain breed of dog. Quite a number or owners told me they would love to rent to a police officer, but can't because I own an Am Staff. They said they couldn't afford the increased premium! Go Cohen for supporting such common sense legislation, and kudos to all the average joes for supporting such a logical approach! I'm so excited!

[waltz4aidan]

my parents were a bit worried about this, since they have allstate as their insurance and i was going to register my dogs at their address.. this is the one good thing that NJ could do, since they jack up the prices for everything else!!

[boscoboy]

Awesome,Awesome News, I hope it passes,if it does it will start to go thru other states. Great Job MaryEllen

[panda]

Ditto! Fingers crossed!

[SparkGotti]

i hope this gets passed =] jerseyy all day