Danni with Dog at the Shelter.
We work with many enthusiastic buyer-clients who seek a home with a fenced yard where their dogs can play safely without worrying about traffic or off-leash dogs interrupting their fun. These are some of our most fun clients – often they are buying their first home with their very own yard for ball tossing and wrestling and training. With each home tour, we evaluate the perfect place to install a doggie door. The very idea of their dog(s) having in/out privileges makes these clients giddy.
For some of our dog-loving clients, one of the challenges they face is securing homeowners insurance. It is a relatively routine and simple task in the scheme of all the things that occur around a real estate closing. And yet, some clients are disappointed that their chosen insurer will not provide a policy because the insurer has determined that they own a “risky” dog. Yep, that same dog that snoozes at the foot of the bed with his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth and his little dog paws simulating a run through the park of his dreams.
Bud with Dog at an Outreach Event.
Some of the “riskiest” dog breeds, as determined by various insurance companies, are:
- Akitas
- Alaskan Malamutes
- “Bully” breeds, including Staffies
- “Canary” breeds
- Chows
- Doberman Pinschers
- German Shepherds
- Great Danes
- Rottweilers
- Siberian Huskies
- Wolf-hybrids
We spend a lot of time in our local animal shelter. We volunteer in the dog kennels. We foster dogs in our home. We train new volunteers on how to best interact with the dogs and how to help prospective adopters find their new special family member. Dogs have always been a big part of our lives, and knowing that we are helping them find a new loving family that will keep them safe and love them is some of the most rewarding work that we do on any given day.
Bud & Fiona waiting for their morning KOIN news segment.
We are passionate both about working with buyer-clients and their pets and about helping homeless dogs find homes. We are also passionate about working with team members throughout the industry – in mortgage, in title and escrow, in home inspection and repair, and absolutely in insurance – who are also passionate about helping our clients and their beloved dogs get all the services they need to secure their new home.
Two insurance companies that we recommend to our clients are State Farm Insurance and Farmers Insurance. Their local agents have expressed to us that each dog is an individual, and their companies do not paint risky breeds with broad strokes. They take into account the individual dog’s history and any training the dog has received.
Tinker, a Lovable Dog.
We have been fortunate to work with a number of the above-mentioned “risky” dog breeds. Many have been positively goofy, athletic, intelligent, and loving. Barring a new home owner from obtaining insurance based on a dog’s perceived breed rather than the disposition of an individual dog is ludicrous. If an insurer were looking to reduce the amount of dog bite claims, they would be better served educating their clients and the public about responsible pet ownership, proper dog interaction habits, and bite prevention.
We are personally thankful that there are companies out there that understand and do just this. Our job is to help terrific people find terrific homes, and then to help terrific dogs find these people as well. We are thankful for our local insurance agents who help us support our clients to realize their dream of home ownership.
Moving to Portland? Or already here? We are Here to Help
Danni Duggan, Dana Smith, and Charles (Bud) Garrison, OR Brokers, Premiere Property Group, LLC
Danni: 503-719-2279 | danni@dannipdx.com
Dana: 503-805-0569 | dana@dannipdx.com
Charles (Bud): 503-679-1893 | bud@dannipdx.com
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