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HB 6131

AN ACT PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN INSURANCE UNDERWRITING BASED ON THE BREED OF A HOMEOWNER'S DOG.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Duff and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut bill prohibits homeowners insurers from denying coverage or charging more based on dog breed, requiring individual animal risk assessment instead.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Insurance and Real Estate
#discrimination #dogs #homeowners'insurance
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Bill Summary · HB 6131

Legislative bill overview

HB 6131 would prohibit insurance companies from denying homeowners insurance coverage or charging higher premiums based solely on a homeowner's dog breed. The bill aims to prevent breed-based discrimination in the homeowners insurance underwriting process while presumably allowing insurers to assess risk based on individual dog behavior or bite history.

Why is this important

Homeowners insurance is essential for mortgage qualification and property protection, making coverage denial a serious barrier to housing. Breed-based insurance restrictions have grown increasingly common, affecting owners of dogs labeled "dangerous breeds" (pit bulls, rottweilers, etc.) even when their individual animals have no history of incidents, creating a fairness question about collective punishment.

Potential points of contention

  • Insurance industry argument: Insurers rely on breed-based statistics showing higher claim rates for certain breeds; restricting this data may increase premiums for all customers or reduce availability in some markets
  • Risk assessment methodology: The bill requires a shift toward individual animal assessment (behavioral records, training history) rather than breed characteristics, which is more costly and administratively complex for insurers
  • Definition ambiguity: "Breed" itself is scientifically contested and often misidentified; enforcement could prove difficult and create litigation over what constitutes a prohibited breed-based decision versus legitimate risk-based underwriting

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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