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Date

The Honorable ______________
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX, TX
XXXXX-XXXX


Dear Representative _____________ :

I am writing to urge you to adopt insurance guidelines for the State of Texas that support reasonable regulations that protect responsible dog owners while allowing insurance companies to raise rates or refuse coverage only if a dog has been deemed dangerous based on non-discriminatory dog laws.

The Washington Deeds Not the Breeds bill, which passed the Washington House of Representatives last session by a vote of 91-3, has been reintroduced this session as HB 1016. It prevents insurance companies from engaging in breed profiling. A new section has been added to chapter 48.18 RCW and reads as follows:
“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.”
There is serious concern that responsible dog owners are finding it difficult to obtain homeowners’ insurance due to the breed they own. In discriminating against homeowners in this manner, insurance companies arbitrarily target these owners regardless of whether their animals are well-trained or have never demonstrated aggression.
On behalf of thousands of responsible dog owners, if Texas has not already done so, I encourage you to support regulations that protect responsible owners while allowing insurance companies to raise rates or refuse coverage only if a dog has been deemed dangerous based on reasonable animal control laws.
Let’s punish the deed, not the breed! Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns regarding this issue.
Sincerely,
(your name)