Arizona law stops insurance companies from discriminating based on dog breed

Discriminating based on dog breeds is no longer allowed in Arizona.

In Arizona, recent changes to the Arizona dog breed law have brought relief to dog owners, particularly those with breeds historically labeled as dangerous. For years, insurance companies used breed-based discrimination to deny coverage or raise premiums for owners of breeds like Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Pit Bulls. These dangerous dog breed insurance laws left many pet owners facing higher costs or limited options for home or renters insurance. 

However, in 2022, Arizona passed a groundbreaking law that changed the game. Now, insurance companies can no longer discriminate against dog owners solely based on their dog’s breed, and they must evaluate dogs on their individual behavior and risk factors.

Arizona’s new law, signed in 2022, explicitly prevents insurance companies from using a dog’s breed as the sole factor in denying coverage or adjusting premiums. This legislation protects dog owners from being unfairly penalized for owning a dog that falls under a traditionally stigmatized breed, ensuring a fairer, more balanced approach to pet insurance. 

If you’ve faced breed-based discrimination or have questions about how these laws impact your rights, a skilled injury lawyer like Gage Mathers can help guide you through the legal landscape and ensure your rights as a pet owner are protected!

Home Insurance and Dangerous Breeds

Insurance companies rely on sweeping generalizations and stereotypes to deny “aggressive” dog breeds coverage. In 37 states, there are now 1,000 local breed restrictions. Restrictions range from mandating muzzles at the park to outright prohibition of ownership for certain breeds. Advocates of denigrated breeds have successfully overturned dozens of restrictions across the country, but many regulations remain in place.

Over the past years, insurance companies have been excluding coverage, or charging more for coverage, for dogs they consider “Dangerous Breeds.” The lengthy list of “excluded dogs” usually includes Doberman pinschers, Chow Chows, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, sometimes German shepherds, and always pit bulls. In most states, insurance companies can deny coverage or charge more for dogs they consider dangerous, regardless of the dog’s temperament.

New Arizona Law Focuses on Dog Behavior, not Breed

In 2022 Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill into law that prevents a dog’s breed from being the only factor considered in legal matters such as whether a dog is aggressive or vicious, or in determining liability for a dog bite. The law also prevents insurance companies from discriminating against dog owners based on the breed of their dog.

Reduced liability for Military and Police Dogs

HB2323 also contains liability exceptions for Military and Police Dogs. This law strengthens the protections for the police and military and protects Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert and other Arizona cities against lawsuits. In effect, if you are injured in the course of a police officer’s regular duties, you cannot hold them liable. However, if you were simply a bystander when a police dog attacked you, you can try and hold them liable for your injuries.

How will this new law affect you?

As a dog owner, Insurance companies can no longer withhold coverage or make you pay a higher premium simply based on the breed of your dog. This broad-reaching law could impact you in unexpected ways as well. For example, these actions would not be legal in Arizona:

• A judge denying child custody due to the presence of a specific breed of dog.
• A public park requires you to muzzle your dog based on its breed.
• A city or county passing an ordinance requiring dogs to be spayed or neutered based on its breed.

Dog owners no longer have to take measures to avoid detection, thus increasing the dog’s outdoor exercise and socialization. This should also encourage dog owners to obtain licensing, proper veterinary care, and essential vaccinations.

Would you like to find out more about Arizona dog laws?

If my dog bites someone, am I responsible?
My dog bit someone 4 years ago, can they sue me?
My friend’s dog bit my child. I don’t want to sue my friend, but we have medical bills.
The pool cleaner said our dog bit him. What should I do?
Do I need to hire an Arizona dog bite lawyer?

Find out more on the Arizona Dogbite FAQ!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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