S.B.1386 has officially been voted out of committee—marking a step forward in Connecticut’s efforts to address breed-based discrimination in homeowners and renters insurance. Importantly, the version of the bill that advanced includes all the technical corrections proposed by PIACT in the testimony on the bill, which would ensure that the legislation is both effective and enforceable.
Experience from a neighboring state
While PIACT did not take a formal stance on the bill, the association drew from its experience with similar legislation in New York state to offer critical amendments that would prevent insurers from sidestepping the law through indirect means.
In New York state—although insurers were prohibited from using breed as a basis for underwriting decisions—some insurers responded by reducing or excluding coverage for specific breeds. This created confusion for policyholders, diluted the law’s impact and created potential E&O issues for agents and brokers.
Suggested changes
To avoid repeating that scenario in Connecticut, PIACT recommended clarifying language that would not only prevent insurers from charging higher premiums or denying coverage based on breed—but also from reducing liability limits or excluding coverage altogether for certain dogs.
The committee accepted PIACT’s proposed amendment to Section 1 of the bill, which would explicitly prohibit insurers from “excluding, limiting, restricting or reducing coverage” based solely on a dog’s breed.
This update is a significant win for consumers and independent insurance agents alike. It would preserve insurers’ ability to assess risk based on individual dog behavior—rather than on breed stereotypes—while ensuring that homeowners and renters maintain meaningful coverage and agents and brokers avoid E&O issues.
PIACT continues to advocate for balanced, transparent insurance practices and remains an active voice in legislative discussions that impact both policyholders and the broader insurance market.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq., joined PIA as government affairs counsel for the Government & Industry Affairs Department in 2012 and then, after a four-month leave, he returned to the association in 2018 as director of government & industry affairs responsible for all legal, government relations and insurance industry liaison programs for the five state associations. Prior to PIA, Brad worked as an attorney for Steven J. Baum PC, in Amherst, and as an associate attorney for the law office of James Morris in Buffalo. He also spent time serving as senior manager of government affairs as the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, a chamber of commerce serving the Buffalo, N.Y., region, his hometown. He received his juris doctorate from Buffalo Law School and his Bachelor of Science degree in Government and Politics from Utica College, Utica, N.Y. Brad is an active Mason and Shriner.
