1105 AMH CAMP BEZN 090

HB 1105 - H AMD 321

By Representative Campbell

   Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

   "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 48.18 RCW to read as follows:

   (1) An insurer licensed to write liability insurance, such as homeowner's insurance, in this state may not deny an application for a homeowner's insurance policy, or cancel, refuse to renew, or modify an existing homeowner's insurance policy, on the basis that the applicant or insured owns or harbors a specific breed of dog on the real property, unless the dog is a dangerous dog as defined in RCW 16.08.070.

   (2) An insurer may require that the insured provide written notification:

   (a) From the insured that the dog provides little risk based on the dog's nature and history; and

   (b) That the dog provides little risk based on the dog's nature and history in the form of:

   (i) A voluntary written statement from a licensed veterinarian who may be familiar with the dog in question;

   (ii) A voluntary written statement from a licensed dog trainer from a canine obedience school; or

   (iii) A canine good citizen certificate from the American kennel club.

   (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the ability of any insurer to charge different premiums for liability insurance under homeowner's insurance policies to different applicants or insureds on the basis that the applicants or insureds own or harbor a specific breed of dog as long as the different premiums are reasonably and substantially related to articulable, actual, and quantifiable risks or losses."

EFFECT: Adds language to the underlying bill. Allows an insurer to require a written certification from the insured and a third party regarding the nature and history of the dog.

Clarifies that a written statement from the licensed veterinarian or dog trainer is a voluntary statement.

States that nothing in the bill shall be construed to restrict the ability of any insurer to charge different premiums for liability coverage under homeowner's insurance policies for different applicants or insureds on the basis that the applicants or insureds own or harbor a specific breed of dog as long as the different premiums are reasonably and substantially related to articulable, actual, and quantifiable risks or losses.