Homeowners Insurance for snakes

[SNIKTTIME]

I don't know about anyone else, but I had a heck of a time finding Homeowner's Insurance to accept my snakes in North Carolina. My house should be finished next month so I had the task of getting HOI. Silly me I thought it would be a simple task in a state where it is legal to own venomous reptiles. Then I was told that most HOI don't let you have snakes especially venomous, pythons, or boas for fear of killing someone. Just thought it was ridiculous and wanted other people to know that it is something to think about. Basically I was told to not disclose the fact that I have them and to hide them during the inspection. Only in America.

[SlitherinSisters]

I don't really know anything about snakes. I'm actually surprised that they were included in your clause. Our home insurance states that it doesn't cover any dogs with lock jaw, they define those breeds as: pits, dobies, and rots. I spoke with our insurance company about it and it was pretty much "don't ask don't tell" just like you have heard. They even said if anything happened, as in an inspection or lawsuit, say you were babysitting the animal for a friend/family. It seems as though the clause is just there in case your animal does in fact kill someone so they won't have to pay for it. I wouldn't really worry about it, if there is going to be an inspection you will know about it because you will have asked for it, and don't let anyone get bit by one of your snakes!!!

[unspecified42]

I have a pitbull and most won't cover you if you own one of those, either. I asked the agent hypothetically what would happen if I were to get a pitbull after getting my policy, and she said that basically they just wouldn't cover any damage she did. Fine. So I got the policy, hid the dog for the inspection, and we're all fine. I do recall they asked about snakes as well. I don't think it's terribly morally wrong since the insurance company just wouldn't cover any damage done by the snakes.

You may run into an issue with your county, though, depending on the permit laws. Mine requires that I have at least $50,000 in liability insurance on the snakes. So...I don't have an exotics permit. Still trying to figure out what to do about that one.

And consider yourself lucky to be in America...a lot of countries wouldn't even let you own them in the first place!

[WingedWolfPsion]

Some insurance companies care...and some don't ask questions like that. Shop around.

[joepythons]

The reason they dont like insuring homes with reptiles is because of the "chance" the heating elements could cause a fire.Then in turn cause the home to burn up.So they will not pay you if this happens.

[SNIKTTIME]

The reason they dont like insuring homes with reptiles is because of the "chance" the heating elements could cause a fire.Then in turn cause the home to burn up.So they will not pay you if this happens.

I specifically asked if the heating equipment was the issue and they said no it is a snake issue. They said fishtanks are fine and they knew that a fishtank busting can do more damage than owning a snake to your home. And also I was told that it isn't just a coverage thing if the snake bites someone than they won't cover it, it's a "we will drop you'' thing. I just think it is a shame that you have to lie to an insurance company, when it is perfectly legal to own snakes in my state. Oh well, I will be hearing back from a few more companies today, but I am hoping for a highly rated HOI to accept. One of the companies is based out of PA which is a hot state so we shall see.