Is Your Insurance Company Facebook-Stalking You?

A North Carolina couple had their home-owner’s umbrella insurance revoked when they posted a cute picture of one of their three pups on Facebook. Nationwide Insurance claimed that the photo showed a Rottweiler mix, which they considered a dangerous breed.

The dog has black-and-tan markings, as many breeds do, but it’s clearly not a Rottweiler. Nationwide eventually apologized and offered to reinstate coverage, but the unhappy couple has taken their business – and their pets – elsewhere.

Watch: Protecting Against Privacy Invasion

“Is that part of the vetting procedure now?” asks Plastic Surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon. “They’re going to go on Facebook and look at all your personal pictures?”

As a former actuary, ER Physician Dr. Travis Stork explains that umbrella policies cover big liabilities, like a dog attack. America has 4.5 million dog-bite incidents a year, and it’s a big exposure for insurance companies.

Watch: What to Do in a Dog Attack

Breast Surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk delivers the take-home: Make your Facebook photos private if you don’t want snoopers!