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Two policies, two jobs: vet bills and the damage a dog causes
Written by
Janine El-Saghir
Janine El Saghir is an editor at How-to-Germany.com, where she specializes in the practical aspects of daily life and integration for expatriates. With years of...
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Erkan Boga is the founder and CEO of qmedia GmbH, the publishing house behind How-to-Germany.com. He established the platform with the clear vision of creating...
Edited by
Sadie Voss
Content Lead & Editor
Sadie Voss is the Lead Editor for How-to-Germany.com. As an expat who carved her own way into Berlin from the United States, Sadie is deeply...
Compare pet health insurance in Germany
Premiums shown are reference quotes for a standard profile (breed risk group RG1, age 3) and may differ by animal, breed and age. As of 2026.
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €22.13 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | unlimited |
| Unlimited annual reimbursement for eligible operation costs. Covers operations due to illness or accident, veterinary costs for diagnosis leading to an operation, surgical preparation, aftercare, and medication connected to the operation. Reimbursement up to 4× GOT, including emergency service fee. Selected additional benefits have separate sublimits. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 96 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per year) |
| Fixed selectable deductible of €0, €150, or €250 per insurance year. This is not a percentage deductible. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €16.02 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | unlimited |
| No annual maximum benefit limit for operation costs. Covers medically necessary operations, including the last pre-operative examination, diagnostic work needed for the operation, surgery under full or partial anesthesia, and follow-up treatment after surgery. Reimbursement up to 3× GOT as standard and up to 4× GOT for emergency veterinary service, including emergency service fee. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 84 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 20% / €250 (per year) |
| Optional 20% deductible available if the cat is aged up to and including 5 years at contract start; capped at €250. If a deductible is agreed, it is deducted from each insurance case. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €21.69 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | unlimited |
| No annual maximum benefit limit. Reimbursement up to 3× GOT as standard and up to 4× GOT in emergencies, including surcharges for night and weekend emergency services. Direct billing with the veterinarian is available on request. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 108 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per year) |
| Optional 20% deductible available if the dog is aged up to and including 5 years at contract start. The deductible is capped at €250. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €4.31 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | unlimited |
| Lassie OP insurance covers medically necessary operations for the insured animal under full or partial anesthesia. The product overview lists cover up to 4× GOT, pre-operative examinations within 10 days before surgery, aftercare until the 30th calendar day after surgery, complementary post-operative treatment if recommended by a vet, special diagnostics in the OP pre- and post-treatment period, prostheses subsidy up to €500, and travel cancellation costs caused by an accident-related operation up to €500 per insurance year. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 0 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per case) |
| Variable deductible is selectable depending on the policy certificate. A deductible per insurance case applies according to the conditions listed in the policy certificate. If 0%, 20%, or 40% is selected, Lassie reimburses 100%, 80%, or 60% of eligible costs. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €5.10 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | unlimited |
| Lassie’s OP insurance covers medically necessary operations in unlimited amount. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 0 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per case) |
| Variable deductible is selectable: 0%, 20%, or 40%. Lassie therefore reimburses 100%, 80%, or 60% of eligible costs within the insured scope. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €17.14 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | unlimited |
| Mini full protection covers medically necessary operations and illness/accident treatment. Mini has an annual benefit limit for illness and accident treatment costs, around 1,035 EUR, while Mini, Midi, and Maxi have no annual benefit limit for operation cover. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 0 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per case) |
| Variable deductible is selectable: 0%, 20%, or 40%. Lassie therefore reimburses 100%, 80%, or 60% of eligible costs within the insured scope. The deductible applies per insurance case according to the insurance certificate. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €47.22 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | €10,000 |
| Surgery cover for operations due to illness or accident; annual cap applies. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 96 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per year) |
| Deductible can reduce the contribution; selected services may not apply the deductible. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €7.42 |
| Reimbursement rate | 80% |
| Coverage per year | €2,000 |
| Basis Plus reimburses 80% of eligible operation costs up to €2,000 per insurance year. Covers operations due to illness or accident within the tariff rules, diagnostics/examinations on the day of surgery, clinic accommodation after surgery up to 10 days, and post-operative treatment/medication up to 14 days. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 3× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 96 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 20% / €250 (per case) |
| Basis Plus has a 20% deductible, with a minimum deductible of €250 per insurance case. This means hepster covers 80% of eligible costs, and the customer pays at least €250 per claim where the deductible applies. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €43.39 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | €0 |
| BasisDirekt includes free choice of veterinarian, reimbursement up to 3× GOT, and up to 4× GOT for emergency veterinary care. Surgery insurance benefits are included. Other treatment costs are covered up to €400, dental treatment up to €100, and preventive care up to €30. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 108 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 100% / €0 (per year) |
| If a deductible is agreed, it is deducted from each insurance case, up to 250 EUR. Preventive benefits are reimbursed up to the agreed limit without deduction of the deductible. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €26.81 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | €0 |
| BasisDirekt includes free choice of veterinarian, reimbursement up to 3× GOT, and up to 4× GOT for emergency veterinary care. Surgery insurance benefits are included. Other treatment costs are covered up to €400, dental treatment up to €100, and preventive care up to €30. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 84 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per case) |
| The calculator allows an optional deductible selection, from 0-250 EUR. If a deductible is agreed, it is deducted from each insurance case. Preventive benefits are reimbursed up to the agreed limit without deduction of the deductible. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €50 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | €800 |
| The Plus plan has unlimited surgery cover, but an overall annual limit of €800 for the full-health part of the plan. Vet treatments and medication are covered up to €800, dental up to €150, and preventive care up to €70. Coverage percentage can be 80% or 100%, depending on the selected reimbursement/deductible option. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 71 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per case) |
| Feather shows coverage percentage options of 80% or 100%. If 80% coverage is selected, the customer effectively pays 20% of eligible costs. If 100% coverage is selected, there is no percentage deductible. Pricing may change based on selected deductible. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €50 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | €800 |
| The Plus plan has unlimited surgery cover, but an overall annual limit of €800 for the full-health part of the plan. Vet treatments and medication are covered up to €800, dental up to €150, and preventive care up to €70. Coverage percentage can be 80% or 100%, depending on the selected reimbursement/deductible option. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 71 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per case) |
| Feather shows coverage percentage options of 80% or 100%. If 80% coverage is selected, the customer effectively pays 20% of eligible costs. If 100% coverage is selected, there is no percentage deductible. Pricing may change based on selected deductible. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €28.64 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | €3,000 |
| Basis covers operations and treatments up to a yearly maximum benefit of €3,000. Reimbursement can be selected as 80% or 100%. Includes the benefits of surgical protection tariffs plus additional treatment coverage. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 3× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 96 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per case) |
| The deductible depends on the selected reimbursement rate. If 100% reimbursement is selected, there is effectively no percentage deductible. If 80% reimbursement is selected, the customer pays 20% of eligible costs. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €29.17 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | €3,000 |
| Basis covers treatments and operations up to a yearly maximum benefit of €3,000. Reimbursement can be selected as 80% or 100%. Includes the benefits of PANDA OP protection tariffs plus additional full-health treatment coverage. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 3× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 84 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per case) |
| The deductible depends on the selected reimbursement rate. If 100% reimbursement is selected, there is effectively no percentage deductible. If 80% reimbursement is selected, the customer pays 20% of eligible costs. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €2.71 |
| Reimbursement rate | 80% |
| Coverage per year | €1,000 |
| Basis Plus reimburses 80% of eligible operation costs up to €1,000 per insurance year. Covers operations under full or partial anesthesia, operation-related pre-examinations from one day before surgery, clinic accommodation up to 14 days after surgery, and medication after surgery up to 14 days. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 3× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 96 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 20% / €250 (per case) |
| Basis Plus has a 20% deductible, with a minimum deductible of €250 per insurance case. This means hepster reimburses 80% of eligible costs, and the customer pays 20%, but at least €250 per claim. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €9.08 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | €2,000 |
| OP-Schutz Basis has a maximum reimbursement limit of €2,000 per insurance case and year. The reimbursement percentage can be selected as 70%, 80%, or 100%. Covers medically necessary operations and OP-related costs within the tariff limits. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 3× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 96 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per case) |
| The deductible depends on the selected reimbursement rate. If 100% reimbursement is selected, there is effectively no percentage deductible. If 80% is selected, the customer pays 20%. If 70% is selected, the customer pays 30%. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €3.26 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | €2,000 |
| OP-Schutz Basis covers operation costs up to a yearly maximum benefit of €2,000. Reimbursement can be selected as 70%, 80%, or 100%. Includes free vet and clinic choice, direct billing with the veterinarian, and 3× GOT reimbursement. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 3× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 84 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per case) |
| The deductible depends on the selected reimbursement rate. If 100% reimbursement is selected, there is effectively no percentage deductible. If 80% reimbursement is selected, the customer pays 20%. If 70% reimbursement is selected, the customer pays 30%. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €13.91 |
| Reimbursement rate | 100% |
| Coverage per year | €1,000 |
| Mini full protection has unlimited OP cost coverage, but a yearly benefit limit for illness and accident treatment costs. Lassie’s public dog insurance page lists Mini with €1,000 annual treatment costs and €35 annual prevention allowance. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 4× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 0 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 0% / €0 (per case) |
| Variable deductible is selectable: 0%, 20%, or 40%. Lassie therefore reimburses 100%, 80%, or 60% of eligible costs within the insured scope. The deductible applies according to the insurance certificate. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €13.89 |
| Reimbursement rate | 50% |
| Coverage per year | €2,500 |
| Basis reimburses 50% of eligible costs. Operation costs are limited to €2,500 per insurance year. Treatment costs are also limited to €2,500 per insurance year. Includes diagnostics and examinations before surgery up to one day before the operation, clinic accommodation after surgery up to 10 days, post-operative treatment/medicine up to 14 days, and a yearly health allowance up to €30. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 3× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 96 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 50% / €500 (per year) |
| Basis has 50% cost coverage, meaning the customer bears 50% of eligible costs. The tariff table states a minimum deductible of €500 per insurance year. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
| Tariff & coverage | |
| Premium/month (from) Reference quote for a standard profile (risk group RG1, age 3). The actual premium depends on animal, breed and age. | €11.53 |
| Reimbursement rate | 80% |
| Coverage per year | €1,000 |
| Basis Plus reimburses 80% of eligible costs. The annual maximum is €1,000 in the first year and €2,000 from the second year. Treatment costs are covered up to €1,000 per insurance year, and operation costs are also covered up to €1,000 per insurance year in the visible tariff table. | |
| Max. GOT rate | 3× |
| Waiting period | 30 days |
| Max. entry age | 84 months |
| Excess (deductible) | |
| Excess The share of a bill you pay yourself when your pet is treated – like the deductible on car insurance. It can be a fixed amount (e.g. €50), a percentage (e.g. 20%) or both; “per case”, “per year” or “per month” says what it applies to. “none” = the tariff has no excess. A lower excess usually means a higher premium. | 20% / €250 (per case) |
| Basis Plus has a 20% deductible, with a minimum deductible of €250 per insurance case. This means hepster reimburses 80% of eligible costs, and the customer pays 20%, but at least €250 per claim. | |
| Coverage features | |
| Free vet choice | |
| Online consultation | |
| Treatment abroad (EU) | |
| Treatment abroad (worldwide) | |
| Clinic accommodation | |
| Castration / sterilisation | |
| Homeopathic treatment | |
| Traffic accident | |
| Preventive care | |
| Dental treatment | |
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
Dog and cat plans side by side, with the monthly starting premium from our product database; the filter at the top switches between animals.
Pet health insurance (Tierkrankenversicherung) reimburses the vet, either for operations only or for every treatment, and is voluntary for every animal. Dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht) pays for the damage a dog causes to other people, and it is compulsory for every dog in six federal states and for large dogs in North Rhine-Westphalia, because personal liability insurance excludes dogs while it includes cats.
- Health insurance is voluntary for dogs and cats; it comes as surgery-only cover or full cover and reimburses vet bills up to a multiple of the statutory fee schedule.
- Dog liability insurance is compulsory for every dog in Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, for dogs above 40 cm or 20 kg in North Rhine-Westphalia, and for listed breeds in most other states; a cat is covered by your personal liability policy.
- Who sells in English: Lassie (policies underwritten by HDI Global Specialty SE), Getsafe (a licensed intermediary, insurer andsafe AG) and Feather (a licensed insurance agent). Age limits differ: Feather insures pets up to six years at the start, Getsafe up to eight, Lassie at any age.
- Waiting periods: about a month for illness, almost none for accidents, and 12 to 18 months for hereditary conditions, depending on the provider.
- Cost: Getsafe’s health cover starts at €6 a month and its dog liability at €3.99; the other providers quote in their calculators (provider websites, as of 24 September 2026).
Pet Health Insurance in Germany
Veterinarians in Germany charge according to the statutory fee schedule for veterinarians (GOT), in force since 22 November 2022. Every service has a base fee, which the vet may bill at one to three times its amount depending on difficulty, time and circumstances; in the emergency service at night, at weekends and on public holidays the range is two to four times, plus a €50 emergency fee before VAT. Insurers reimburse up to a multiple of the base fee, which is why the multiplier in the policy decides how much of a bill comes back.
For pet owners, veterinary costs reach four figures quickly once an operation, a clinic stay and aftercare come together. Pet health insurance reimburses those costs after the vet has been paid, within the waiting periods and limits of the plan.
Pet Health Insurance — Protection against High Veterinary Costs
Cat and dog health insurance works much like private health insurance for people. If your dog or cat requires treatment, the veterinarian issues an invoice, and the insurance company reimburses the covered costs. This helps ensure your pet can receive necessary medical care without leaving you with unexpected bills.
These are the Two Main Types
Surgery-Only Plans
These policies cover medically necessary operations. Good policies should also include diagnostic costs (such as X-rays or ultrasound) and post-operative care. Hospital stays in a veterinary clinic should likewise be covered.
Surgery-only plans are the cheaper option; the cards above show the current starting premiums for each animal and plan, and the premium depends on breed, age and the deductible you choose.
Full Coverage Plans
Full coverage is more expensive but includes a wider range of benefits. In addition to operations, these tariffs cover non-surgical treatments, consultations, and often preventive care. Depending on the insurer, this may include emergency treatment, hospital stays, dental procedures, physiotherapy, or vaccinations.
However, even with full coverage, it does not necessarily reimburse every veterinary expense in full, which makes a close review of the benefits essential.
Pet Health Insurance Cost
The breed, size, weight, age, and current health of the animal influence premiums. Older pets or those with pre-existing conditions are usually more expensive to insure, and in some cases may not be accepted at all. For this reason, it is advisable to purchase insurance while the animal is still young and healthy.
Policies can differ significantly in scope and conditions. Comparing several offers helps identify the right balance between benefits and cost.
Feather accepts dogs and cats only up to their sixth birthday at the start of the policy, Getsafe up to eight years, and Lassie at any age, with pre-existing conditions written into the policy as exclusions (provider websites and terms, as of 24 September 2026). If you move to Germany with an older animal, the age limit narrows the choice before any other criterion; a condition treated in the two years before the start date stays excluded everywhere.
After a vet visit, you usually pay the veterinary invoice first and then submit it to your insurer. The typical process is: ask the vet for a detailed invoice, check that the diagnosis and treatment are listed clearly, upload the invoice through the insurer’s app or website, add any required medical records, and wait for the reimbursement decision. For planned surgery or expensive treatment, ask the insurer for confirmation before treatment begins whenever possible.
Dog Liability Insurance in Germany
If you own a dog, you should also consider taking out dog liability insurance. This type of coverage protects against the financial consequences of personal injury, property damage, or financial loss caused to third parties by your dog.
Unlike small pets, such as cats, birds, or rabbits, which are usually included in personal liability insurance, dogs are explicitly excluded from private liability policies. Therefore, a separate policy is essential, as dog owners are personally liable for damages and costs, including costs that can be extremely high, especially in cases involving personal injuries.
Dog Liability — Compulsory in Some Federal States
Whether dog liability is compulsory depends on the federal state in which you live. Six states require it for every dog regardless of breed: Berlin, Bremen (since 10 July 2025), Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. North Rhine-Westphalia requires it for listed breeds and for every dog from 40 cm at the withers or 20 kg, which covers most medium-sized dogs. Schleswig-Holstein’s dog law says owners should insure every dog, but fines only the lack of insurance for dangerous dogs. Most other states require insurance only for dogs classified as dangerous; Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria have no insurance requirement at all, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s dog regulation contains none either. Berlin and Hamburg additionally cap the deductible of a compulsory policy at €500. The state-by-state rules, with the minimum sums each law demands, are on our page about dog liability insurance in Germany (state laws as published in the official gazettes, read on 6 September 2026).
Liability insurance is one of several obligations: every dog has to be registered for the municipal dog tax, and several states run a central dog register that records the microchip number and the insurance. Dog tax is a municipal tax and varies by town; Hamburg charges €90 a year for a dog and €600 for a listed dog, rising to €120 and €900 from 1 January 2027 (Hamburg dog tax act as amended on 24 June 2026). Across Germany the tax brought in €430 million in 2024 (Federal Statistical Office). Ask the Bürgeramt or Ordnungsamt of your municipality what applies after you move.
Which breeds count as dangerous is decided by each state, and the lists differ: Hesse lists nine breeds, Saarland three, Brandenburg abolished its list in 2024, and several states judge a dog by its behaviour rather than its breed. For listed dogs, owners typically face compulsory insurance, leash and muzzle rules, a permit, a behaviour test or a competence certificate. The lists matter for insurance too: Feather does not insure purebred listed dogs, Getsafe accepts all breeds.
Liability Insurance for Dogs — Highly Recommended
Even if there is no legal obligation, liability insurance for dogs is strongly recommended. As a dog owner, you are liable for all your assets for any damage your pet causes. Especially in the case of personal injuries, costs can easily reach 6- or even 7-digit amounts. Beyond covering medical treatment, the policy may also need to reimburse loss of income or provide long-term disability benefits.
Liability insurance not only pays valid claims but also includes passive legal protection. This means the insurer covers legal costs and defends against unjustified claims made by third parties.
Sums Insured and Scope of Benefits
The state laws set minimum sums where insurance is compulsory, and they differ from state to state; the two English-language policies write far more than any of them: Feather insures up to €20 million, Getsafe up to €50 million per claim (provider websites, as of 24 September 2026). Beyond the sum, compare whether the policy covers damage to rented rooms and holiday flats, financial loss, damage abroad and, for a young dog, puppy cover in the first months.
Premium Amount for Dog Liability
The premium for dog liability depends on the breed, age and size of the dog, on the sum insured, on extras and on the deductible; Getsafe’s policy starts at €3.99 a month (provider website, as of 24 September 2026). Where a state makes the policy compulsory, keep the certificate of insurance with the dog’s papers: the authorities ask for it at registration and during checks.
Pet insurance in English: Lassie, Getsafe and Feather
Twenty-four plans from seven providers appear in the comparison above; ARAG, Barmenia Direkt and hepster sell in German only. Three providers run the application, the app and the claims process in English, and none of them is the insurer itself: Lassie’s policies are underwritten by HDI Global Specialty SE, Getsafe’s by andsafe AG since the company gave up its own insurer licence in October 2025, and Feather is a licensed insurance agent whose risk carrier is named in the policy terms. Our provider reviews go through each of them; this is what they publish about the policies:
| Criterion | Lassie | Getsafe | Feather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans | Surgery, Mini, Midi, Maxi | Surgery Comfort, Full Cover Comfort, Full Cover Premium | Surgery, Plus |
| Reimbursement | Up to 4x the GOT base fee, also in emergencies | 3x, 4x in a confirmed emergency | 3x, 4x in the emergency service |
| Operations | Unlimited | Limit per the policy schedule (Comfort), unlimited (Premium) | Unlimited |
| Waiting periods | 30 days; accidents 2 days; 18 months for hip and elbow dysplasia, OCD, patella luxation, eyelid defects, brachycephalic syndrome and FORL; waived for puppies and kittens up to 120 days with a vet’s certificate | One month; twelve months for named illnesses; accidents, prevention and online vet from day one; waiting periods served with a previous insurer are credited | 30 days; 6 months for entropion, umbilical hernia and medically indicated neutering; 18 months for ectropion, hip and elbow dysplasia, patella luxation and radius curvus; accidents from day one |
| Age at start | From 8 weeks, no upper limit | From 8 weeks to under 8 years, all breeds | From 8 weeks to under 6 years, then lifelong |
| Contract | 12 months, then cancel daily; no cancellation by the insurer after a claim | 12 months, then daily (terms 2025) | Not stated on the product page |
| Dog liability | Not in our comparison | From €3.99 a month, up to €50 million, all breeds, worldwide during travel | Up to €20 million, worldwide, best-coverage guarantee; purebred listed dogs excluded, mixed breeds accepted |
| Starting price, health cover | Quoted in the calculator | From €6 a month | Quoted in the calculator |
| Sources: Lassie general terms (February 2026), product information documents and English product pages; Getsafe English product pages for pet health and dog liability and the plan terms 2025; Feather English product pages and help-centre articles (January to March 2026). Premiums: see the cards above from our product database. | |||
Lassie
Lassie sells surgery cover and three levels of full cover for dogs and cats, reimburses up to four times the base fee in every case, settles directly with participating practices and insures animals of any age, with pre-existing conditions excluded rather than the animal refused. The terms waive the insurer’s right to cancel after a claim. Lassie’s German branch sells and administers the policy; the insurer is HDI Global Specialty SE in Hanover. Details for cats are on our cat insurance page.
Feather
Feather insures dogs and cats from eight weeks to their sixth birthday and keeps them covered for life afterwards. Its Surgery plan pays for medically necessary operations without limit; Plus adds treatment, dental care and prevention with yearly allowances (for cats €800, €150 and €70). You choose full reimbursement or a 20 per cent deductible; premiums are adjusted when the animal turns one, three, five, seven and nine. Feather’s dog liability policy insures up to €20 million worldwide with a best-coverage guarantee, can be cancelled at any time and covers mixed breeds, but not purebred dogs of a listed breed. Prices are quoted in the calculator; the plan cards above show the starting premium from our product database. Our Feather review goes into the plans.
Getsafe
Getsafe’s three health plans start at €6 a month for dogs and cats up to eight years, with accidents, prevention and online vet consultations covered from the first day and illnesses after a month; the annual limit of the Comfort plans stands in the policy schedule, Premium has none, and tooth extractions and root treatments for cats are capped at €150 a year in Comfort. Cover applies worldwide during trips of up to twelve months. Getsafe’s dog liability starts at €3.99 a month, insures up to €50 million per claim, accepts every breed, includes damage to rented rooms and offers an optional extra of up to €3,000 for the dog’s own vet bills after an attack, search costs and boarding if the owner is hospitalised. Getsafe Digital GmbH is the licensed intermediary; andsafe AG is the insurer named in the terms, and the contract language is German. Our Getsafe review covers the plans in detail.
Conclusion
Two policies, two jobs. Pet health insurance is voluntary and reimburses the vet, at its best up to four times the statutory base fee and without a limit on operations; the waiting periods for hereditary conditions and the age limit at the start decide more than the premium. Dog liability insurance is compulsory for every dog in six states and for larger dogs in North Rhine-Westphalia, and a cat needs none, because the owner’s personal liability policy includes it. Three providers sell both in English; they differ in age limits, reimbursement, listed breeds and who underwrites the policy, and the comparison above shows the current premiums.
Frequently asked questions
Dogs and cats at every provider in the comparison; some German insurers also cover horses. The three providers with English-language service, Lassie, Getsafe and Feather, insure dogs and cats only.
No. No federal state requires health insurance for an animal. What several states do regulate is the animal itself: dog registration and dog tax everywhere, dog liability insurance in six states and for larger dogs in North Rhine-Westphalia, and, in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, microchipping, registration and neutering of outdoor cats.
For every dog regardless of breed: Berlin, Bremen (since 10 July 2025), Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. North Rhine-Westphalia requires it for listed breeds and for every dog from 40 cm at the withers or 20 kg. Schleswig-Holstein’s law says owners should insure every dog but only fines the lack of insurance for dangerous dogs. Most other states require it only for dogs classified as dangerous; Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have no insurance requirement. Berlin and Hamburg cap the deductible of a compulsory policy at €500 (state laws as published in the official gazettes, read on 6 September 2026).
Yes. The industry model terms for personal liability insurance include the keeper of tame pets and small animals and exclude only dogs, cattle, horses and other riding and draught animals. A cat therefore needs no separate policy; a dog does. Damage a cat does to a rented flat falls under the rented-rooms clause, which excludes wear and tear and scratches from everyday use.
Lassie, Getsafe and Feather run their applications, apps and claims in English. Lassie insures animals of any age, reimburses up to four times the base fee of the veterinary fee schedule and does not cancel after a claim; Getsafe insures pets up to eight years from €6 a month and accepts every breed for dog liability; Feather insures pets up to six years, pays operations without limit and excludes purebred listed dogs from its dog liability policy. None of the three is the insurer: Lassie’s policies are underwritten by HDI Global Specialty SE, Getsafe’s by andsafe AG, and Feather names its risk carrier in the policy terms.
The premium depends on the animal, its breed and age, the plan and the deductible. Getsafe publishes a starting price of €6 a month for its cheapest plan; Lassie and Feather quote in their calculators, and the cards in the comparison show the current starting premium of every plan from our product database. Cats are cheaper to insure than dogs at every provider, and every provider raises the premium in age bands as the animal gets older.
Getsafe’s dog liability policy starts at €3.99 a month for up to €50 million of cover; Feather’s covers up to €20 million and is quoted in its calculator (provider websites, as of 24 September 2026). The price rises for listed breeds and with extras such as cover for rented rooms or a lower deductible. Where the policy is compulsory, the state law also sets a minimum sum insured, which both policies exceed by far.
The dog tax (Hundesteuer) is a municipal tax that every dog owner pays after registering the dog with the municipality; the rate is set locally and is higher for a second dog and for listed breeds. Hamburg charges €90 a year for a dog and €600 for a listed dog, rising to €120 and €900 from 1 January 2027; across Germany the tax raised €430 million in 2024 (Federal Statistical Office). There is no tax on cats or other pets.
Accidents are rarer indoors, but the illnesses that make up most of a cat’s lifetime vet costs, from kidney and thyroid disease to dental resorption, are not. A surgery plan covers the operations, full cover the ongoing treatment; the waiting period for dental resorption runs to 18 months at Lassie, so the policy has to be in place long before the first symptom.
Feather accepts animals only up to their sixth birthday and Getsafe up to eight; Lassie has no upper age limit and insures animals with pre-existing conditions, which are then excluded from cover. At every provider a condition treated in the two years before the policy started, or during the waiting period, stays excluded. Insure the animal as soon as you arrive and keep its vaccination record, diagnoses and medication list for the application.
Sources and legal basis (as of 24 September 2026)
Statutes and regulations: Veterinary Fee Ordinance (GOT) of 15 August 2022 (§§ 1 to 4: rate range, emergency service, VAT); § 833 BGB (liability of animal keepers); the dog laws and regulations of the sixteen federal states as published in the official gazettes (Berlin HundeG, Bremen BremHundeG in force since 10 July 2025, Hamburg HmbHundeG, Lower Saxony NHundG, Saxony-Anhalt HundeG LSA, Thuringia ThürTierGefG, North Rhine-Westphalia LHundG NRW § 11, Schleswig-Holstein HundeG §§ 6 and 20, Hesse HundeVO, Saarland HuV SL, Brandenburg HundehV, Baden-Württemberg PolVOgH, Bavaria LStVG Art. 37, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania HundehVO), listed with their sources on our page about dog liability insurance in Germany; § 13b Animal Welfare Act (state rules for outdoor cats); Hamburg dog tax act as amended on 24 June 2026 (HmbGVBl. No. 21); Federal Statistical Office, press release No. N055 of 8 October 2025 on dog tax revenue 2024.
Industry model terms: GDV model conditions for personal liability insurance (AVB PHV), May 2020, clauses A1-6.6 and A1-6.9.
Providers (read on 24 September 2026 unless stated): Lassie general terms for surgery and health insurance (February 2026) and product information document; Getsafe, pet health insurance (with the plan terms 2025 linked there) and Getsafe, dog liability insurance; Feather, pet health insurance, Feather, dog liability insurance and Feather help-centre articles on eligibility, waiting periods, plan limits, deductibles and reimbursement (January to March 2026); Feather, licensing information 2026.
Supervisory notices (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, BaFin): transfer of the Getsafe Insurance AG portfolio to andsafe AG, effective 10 November 2025; withdrawal of the Getsafe Insurance AG licence, order of 29 October 2025.
Premiums in the comparison come from our own product database and are refreshed automatically; the text states the providers’ published starting prices as of the date given.