AFF: In Conversation
In partnership with Ako Insurance Consulting
Anti-Dog Policies and the Black Community
Ngozi Nnaji and Kassidi Jones discuss how anti-dog legislation and policies intersect with racism and how that impacts their lives and communities in this series of live conversations.
You can catch the next conversation on November 8 at 3pm on our Facebook.
Watch the August 23 conversation
About Ngozi and Kassidi
Ngozi Nnaji
Principle, Ako Brokerage Services, LLC
Founder of Ako Insurance Consulting, LLC, #1000blackinterns, Black Men of the Insurance Industry Initiative, Black Women of the Insurance Industry Initiative Co-Founder of HBCU I.M.P.A.C.T.TM The Trilogy
Kassidi Jones
Poet, PhD Candidate, Yale University
What Can You Do To End Breed Restrictions in home insurance?
Dear [INSURANCE COMMISSIONER NAME]:
I was denied [home or renter’s] insurance by [INSURANCE COMPANY NAME] because they think my dog is a liability risk. This denial of coverage is rooted in discrimination. Breed restrictions have a long history of being connected to redlining. There is no scientific evidence that breed has anything to do with a dog being a bite risk. History shows that these come from stereotypes connected to classism and racism.
[INSURANCE COMPANY] has never met my dog and my dog doesn’t have any history of hurting anyone. I am a loving and responsible dog owner. When insurance companies exclude my dog they are excluding me. ” *Then you can go on to tell your commissioner about your dog and how important your dog is to you and your family. You can also talk about how being denied insurance has affected you.
Physical appearance and breed labels do not predict behavior. It is my hope that you will consider the information I have included and prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against pet owners like me.
To include references you can either download and print PDF to mail, download and attach PDF to your email, or provide the link to this pdf in your letter.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
also consider including a photo of you and your dog.
To Whom It May Concern:
I was denied [home or renter’s] insurance by your company because you have breed restrictions in place. Despite stereotypes, there is no scientific evidence that a breed of dog increases bite risk. History shows that the stereotypes that prompt breed restrictions in housing insurance are connected to classism and racism. There is academic research to back this up. This denial of coverage is rooted in discrimination and redlining.
Liability risk should be based on a dog’s behavioral history, not in folklore. No one from your company has never met my dog and my dog doesn’t have any history of hurting anyone. I am a loving and responsible dog owner. When insurance companies exclude my dog they are excluding me.
*Then you can go on to tell your commissioner about your dog and how important your dog is to you and your family. You can also talk about how being denied insurance has affected you.
Physical appearance and breed labels do not predict behavior. It is my hope that you will consider the information I have included and remove breed restrictions from your policies.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
also consider including a photo of you and your dog.
To include references you can either download and print PDF to mail, download and attach PDF to your email, or provide the link to this pdf in your letter.
