Tweet
The Hartford Teams With American Kennel Club; Insurer Will Offer Coverage To Responsible Owners Of Pitbulls
By Matthew Sturdevant on December 8, 2010 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
In the dog-eat-dog world of property-casualty insurance, The Hartford is the American Kennel Club's Best in Show.
The Hartford Financial Services Group has exclusive rights to offer home and auto insurance policies through the kennel club to its members starting Jan. 1.
Historically, The Hartford has not provided new home insurance coverage to owners of American Staffordshire terriers (pitbulls), Rottweilers or Presa Canarios. As part of the agreement, owners of those breeds who are American Kennel Club members may be eligible for coverage if they meet specific conditions demonstrating responsible dog ownership and the dog's obedience. For example, the owner may qualify for insurance if the dog passes the kennel club's Canine Good Citizen test which is a measure of the dog's training and demeanor, as well as proper care by a veterinarian.
"We are proud to align with the AKC, a well-respected organization dedicated to responsible dog ownership," said Andy Napoli, president of The Hartford's Consumer Markets division.
New insurance products and services will be announced throughout 2011. This adds to the Asylum Hill-based insurer's strategy of affinity partnerships in its personal lines, such as insurance plans The Hartford offfers through AARP.
The Hartford is the exclusive insurance sponsor of the Canine Good Citizen program and the STAR Puppy program, which builds a foundation of responsible care and ownership.
"We are pleased that The Hartford is leading the way to providing insurance for responsible families that own purebred dogs," said American Kennel Club President Dennis Sprung. "By promoting the AKC Canine Good Citizen and STAR Puppy programs, The Hartford is also helping AKC stay true to its mission of helping families have positive relationships with their dogs."
This is a huge step towards educating the public on responsible dog ownership and to have an insurance company put in writing what responsible breeders have long been requiring of their puppy buyers is just wonderful.
Comment