This TR Family had been with Progressive Insurance for about a decade. When we recently purchased our new home, it was a no-brainer to stick with Progressive for our homeowner’s insurance. We had never had an issue with their service. In fact, when we had an unfortunate car collision about a year ago, Progressive’s handling of our accident was stellar.
We paid the annual fee for our homeowner’s insurance and were quite content for two months, when we got an odd email from Progressive indicating that our policy would be canceled. Thinking this was some sort of miscommunication, we immediately phoned Progressive.
We were told that we hadn’t provided any proof of our dog’s breed and our policy was going to be canceled. Since we received NO request for dog information from Progressive – other than when we applied for our policy, we had NO idea they needed further information from us. We immediately supplied what was requested: a picture of our dog and a statement from our Vet as to the breed.
Here is the picture we provided:
Along with our Vet’s disclosure.
We are very proud owners of our rescued pup, Molly. The organization that we used to adopt Molly referred to her as a “Spanador” as they thought she was half lab and half spaniel. Since she is a rescue, no one could say with 100% accuracy her definite lineage or breed. But she is a slightly overweight ball of love that has never had anger issues and has never bitten anyone.
According to Progressive Insurance’s management, not being able to pinpoint Molly’s breed beyond a shadow of a doubt meant that we were no longer insurable. Our policy was canceled effective immediately and there was no recourse.
Here are the undisputable facts:
- Progressive Insurance does not care how long you’ve been a loyal customer
- Progressive Insurance discriminates against certain dog breeds
- Progressive Insurance has an impossible set of criteria for any adoptive dog/rescued dog family to fulfill
- Progressive Insurance will cancel your insurance on the spot regardless of your loyal history and regardless of initially accepting your payment and contract. Remember- their agent that opened our homeowner’s policy did NOT ask for any further information about our pup!
We are very glad that we found out we were giving our business to a company that isn’t dog friendly. We would not want to patronize Progressive Insurance had we known these facts. And we are thrilled to now have our insurance relationship with State Farm.
Rescue families and friends of rescues and strays be warned! Do your research and ask pointed questions about dog ownership when searching for home insurance. And have a back-up plan just in case you find yourself suddenly invited out of your Insurance company.
We urger you to spread the word! If you love stray and rescued animals and support those who take them in- make sure all your friends know that Progressive Insurance will cancel policies based on the unknown parentage of those pets. We’ve had great luck with State Farm taking care of us and our harmless dog. What other companies can you help us identify as pro-rescue pet? Help spread the word and support companies that support rescued pets!
Um, they suck. Call Patrick Mardsen at State Farm on Carroll Street on the square. State Farm didn’t want to insure my Shack (it’s an outbuilding) and he came to the house, took pictures, and convinced them it was a guest house, which it is. No problems. And he is not any more expensive.