Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed legislation (S.364) that would have prohibited insurers from imposing restrictions on renters insurance policies based solely on the breed—or mix of breeds—of a dog owned or harbored by the policyholder.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Michael Gianaris, D-12, was intended to help renters secure coverage regardless of dog breed, and would have addressed concerns about breed-based underwriting practices.
Current state of dog breed law in New York
Under existing New York state law, insurers cannot refuse, cancel, refuse to renew or increase premiums for homeowners insurance policies solely on the basis of a policyholder’s dog breed or mix of breeds. This protection was established through amendments to Insurance Law Section 3421 in 2021 and 2022, which closed a loophole and prohibited carriers from excluding, limiting or reducing coverage for homeowners based on dog breed.
However, that protection does not currently extend to renters insurance. As a result, many renters continue to face underwriting actions or restrictions from some insurers based on the breed of dog they own. The bill that was vetoed would have closed that gap by applying similar protections to renters policies.
What the bill proposed
S.364 would amend Insurance Law Section 3421 to prohibit insurers issuing renters insurance policies from refusing to issue or renew coverage, canceling a policy, charging higher premiums or limiting coverage based solely on dog breed. The proposal did not eliminate underwriting altogether, but would have barred breed alone from being the deciding factor.
Why the governor vetoed the bill
In her veto message, Gov. Hochul acknowledged support for “the Legislature’s underlying goal of reducing arbitrary barriers to insurance coverage for renters and pet owners,” but said the issue warrants further consideration. She noted the need for more narrowly tailored approaches that consider “any potential risks associated with certain breeds,” and concluded that she was therefore “constrained to veto this bill.”
What this means going forward
With the veto, New York state law governing renters insurance underwriting remains unchanged. While the governor signaled openness to continued discussion, any changes to how dog breeds are treated in renters insurance would require new legislation in a future session.
Joseph Ritchie
Joe Ritchie joined PIA Northeast as government and industry affairs coordinator for the Government & Industry Affairs Department in 2025, where he supports the association’s legislative, regulatory and member-advocacy initiatives across the Northeast. Prior to joining PIA, Joe served as the Advocacy & Policy Coordinator at Riverkeeper, working closely with municipal leaders, environmental organizations, and state agencies to advance clean water protections in the Hudson Valley. Previously, he worked as the Administrator of Government Affairs at Spectrum, where he managed statewide regulatory filings, supported broadband deployment efforts, and coordinated communications with policymakers. Joe also spent time in the New York State Assembly, assisting Assemblymember Kevin Cahill during his tenure as Chair of the Insurance Committee, where he contributed to committee meeting preparations, legislative research and constituent support. In addition to his government affairs work, Joe is the co-founder and Chair of Lights Out Norlite, a community-based environmental justice initiative focused on improving public health and industrial oversight in the Capital Region. He received his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and remains an active supporter of Syracuse Football. Outside of work, Joe enjoys cooking Italian meals for his wife, spending time with his family and camping throughout the Adirondacks.
