New York: Ask Committee to Support Ban on Insurance Breed Discrimination

The New York Senate Insurance Committee is considering a bill on Monday (July 20) that would prohibit homeowner’s insurance providers from refusing or cancelling coverage or increasing premiums based solely on the breed of dog owned by the policy holder.

All responsible dog owners and breeders in New York are encouraged to contact the committee to express your support for Senate Bill 7924.  Scroll down for more information.

Summary:
Senate Bill 7924 prohibits insurers from refusing to issue, renew or cancel or raise premiums for homeowner’s insurance based on breed of dog (or mixed-breed) owned by the policyholder. The bill does allow for insurance companies to take these actions if the dog has been declared dangerous based on current law, so long as these actions are based on “sound underwriting and actuarial principles” that are reasonably related to actual or anticipated loss.

New York state law already expressly prohibits municipalities from passing laws that target specific breeds of dogs.  AKC supports Senate Bill 7924, which would extend these protections to homeowners, while still holding all dog owners accountable, regardless of the breed they choose to own.

Visit the Breed-Specific/Dangerous Dog Laws key issues page in the AKC Legislative Action Center for more talking points on this issue.

What You Can Do:
Contact the members of the Senate Insurance Committee and express your support for Senate Bill 7924.  If you are a constituent, mention that when contacting them:

Neil D. Breslin, Chair (Albany)
District/Albany Office: (518) 455-2225
Email: breslin@nysenate.gov

John E. Brooks (Massapequa)
District Office: 516-882-0630
Albany Office: 518-455-2765
Email: brooks@nysenate.gov

David Carlucci (Rockland/Ossining)
Rockland/New City District Office: 845-623-3627
Ossining District Office: 914-941-2041
Albany Office: 518-455-2991
Email: carlucci@nysenate.gov

Timothy M. Kennedy (Buffalo)
District Office: 716-826-2683
Albany Office: 518-455-2426
Email: kennedy@nysenate.gov

Monica R. Martinez (Hauppauge)- Sponsor of S. 7924
District Office: (631) 360-3356
Albany Office: (518) 455-2950
Email: martinez@nysenate.gov

Robert G. Ortt (Lockport)
District Office: 716-434-0680
Albany Office: (518) 455-2024
Email: Ortt@nysenate.gov

Kevin S. Parker (Brooklyn)
District Office: (718) 629-6401
Albany Office: (518) 455-2580
Email: parker@nysenate.gov

Michael H. Ranzenhofer (Williamsville)
District Office: (716) 631-8695 / (585) 454-0322
Albany Office: (518) 455-3161
Email: ranz@nysenate.gov

James Sanders, Jr. (South Ozone Park/Far Rockaway)
District Office: 718-523-3069
Albany Office: 518-455-3531
Email: sanders@nysenate.gov

Sue Serino (Hyde Park)
District Office: (518) 455-2945
Albany Office: 845-229-0106
Email: Serino@nysenate.gov

James L. Seward (Oneonta/Cortland/Herkimer)
District Office: (607) 432-5524
Albany Office: (518) 455-3131
Email: seward@nysenate.gov

AKC Government Relations will continue to closely follow this bill.  For questions or more information, contact the AKC GR at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org