Homeowner Loses Insurance Over Small Chihuahua
CENTRAL – A local woman had her homeowner’s insurance canceled after her insurance provider discovered she owned a dog, despite never being asked about pets during the application process.
Wanda Tays recently switched insurance carriers after a cost increase, purchasing a policy through GEICO Insurance Agency. The policy was underwritten by SageSure,specifically Occidental Fire & Casualty Company of North Carolina,which handles all underwriting and claims decisions.
Just two months into her new policy, Tays received a cancellation notice citing an “undisclosed dog.” The dog in question is Junebug, a 9-pound, 10-year-old Chihuahua who is also battling cancer.
According to documentation Tays received, an individual visited her property in July and noted the presence of the dog. The cancellation paperwork from Occidental Fire & Casualty of North Carolina listed the dog as a “hazard.”
“I’ve never heard about this,” Tays stated.
Tays reviewed her application documents and confirmed she was never prompted to disclose pet ownership. She added that she has never experienced insurance issues related to having a pet. “She hasn’t hurt a soul in the 10 years sence she’s been on this Earth,” Tays said of Junebug, describing her typical day of watching television and observing the neighborhood from a window.Tays has as secured a new homeowner’s insurance policy,proactively disclosing Junebug’s presence,even though her new insurer did not require the data.
SageSure did not respond to a request for comment regarding the situation and currently does not publish information about its pet policies on its website.
