Arizona, Dog Breeds, and Homeowner Policies

Dogs have long been a concern in homeowners insurance, as evidenced by the number of statutes concerning dog liability, leash laws, and various state restrictions concerning insurers banning certain breeds and other canine-based underwriting criteria. Arizona is the latest state to address the issue, with new law A.R.S. §20-1510 becoming effective June 30, 2023.

The law makes it clear that an insurer may not discriminate against an insured because of the breed of a dog an insured owns, and that the breed of an insured’s dog may not be the sole reason for any underwriting action.