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Dog Insurance in Germany
- In Germany, there are 2 types of dog insurance: pet liability insurance and pet health insurance.
- Dog liability insurance is required by law in some states. In certain states, it is mandatory only for so-called dangerous breeds, while in others, all dogs must be insured.
- Dog health insurance is available in 2 forms: surgery-only coverage or comprehensive health insurance with broader benefits.
- Many insurers offer dog insurance, each with its unique benefits and costs. Comparing providers helps you make an informed choice.
- For expats in Germany, digital insurers such as Feather, Getsafe, and Lassie are particularly recommended. They offer dog health and liability insurance with strong benefits, fair pricing, and bilingual service in German and English.
Understanding Dog Insurance in Germany
To make an informed decision, it is essential to understand the types of dog insurance available in Germany and how they operate.
Dog insurance policies in Germany protect owners against liability claims and veterinary costs. There are 2 main types:
- Dog liability insurance: Covers damage your dog causes to third parties. It is compulsory in some federal states and for certain breeds. Even if not legally required, this insurance is strongly recommended, as it reliably protects you against potentially severe financial risks.
- Dog health insurance: Voluntary in Germany, but highly advisable. Veterinary costs for advanced diagnostics, treatments, and therapies can quickly reach several hundred or even several thousand euros, making insurance an important safeguard.
Dog Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is one of the most important forms of protection for dog owners in Germany. It shields you from potentially devastating financial consequences if your dog injures someone or damages property.
What is Dog Liability Insurance?
Dog liability insurance covers personal injury, property damage, and financial losses caused by your dog to third parties. As the owner, you are fully liable for such damages without any limit.
Not all incidents involving dogs are minor or easily resolved. In cases of severe property damage or, even more critically, personal injury, compensation claims can reach very high amounts. Without dog liability insurance, you would have to cover costs such as medical treatment, loss of income, or even lifelong pension payments entirely on your own.
A dog liability policy protects you from these financial risks and also provides passive legal protection. This means the insurance company defends you against unjustified claims. It bears the costs of a legal dispute.
Unlike dog health insurance, dog liability insurance does not have waiting periods; coverage begins immediately upon contract completion.
Private liability insurance usually covers damage caused by you, members of your household, and even cats or other small pets. However, dogs are explicitly excluded. From my experience advising expats on insurance in Germany, this is one of the most common misconceptions. A separate dog liability policy is therefore essential to avoid serious financial risks.
Dog Liability Insurance — Often Compulsory
Whether dog liability insurance is mandatory depends on the state in which you live:
- In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, there are currently no legal requirements in place.
- In Berlin, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Thuringia, and Saxony-Anhalt, all dogs must be insured regardless of breed.
- In all other states, insurance is mandatory for so-called dangerous breeds, with each state defining which breeds fall into this category. Depending on the state, liability insurance may also be compulsory for large dogs.
Benefits of Dog Liability Insurance
When selecting a policy, it is crucial to compare offers carefully and thoroughly review the conditions. A good dog liability insurance policy should include:
- Coverage for financial losses not directly linked to personal injury or property damage
- Coverage for damage to rented properties, including holiday apartments and hotels
- Protection in cases where owner obligations (such as leash requirements) are violated
- Coverage for puppies through a “puppy protection clause”
- Worldwide coverage
Dog liability insurance does not cover damage your dog causes to you or members of your household. Typical examples include a dog damaging your furniture or injuring you or a family member. The owner must bear such losses, as they are not covered by personal liability or household contents insurance. In my professional view, being aware of these exclusions helps dog owners set realistic expectations when choosing the right policy.
Pet Health Insurance
The second essential insurance for your dog is a pet health insurance policy that covers treatment costs for accidents and illnesses.
What is Pet Health Insurance?
Pet health insurance covers expenses for medical treatment, routine check-ups, and vaccinations. Policies are typically available either as surgery-only plans or as full health insurance.
Unlike liability insurance, pet health insurance is not mandatory in Germany. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended, as veterinary bills for advanced diagnostics or therapies can quickly add up to several hundred or even several thousand euros. From my perspective, especially for expats unfamiliar with German veterinary costs, this coverage offers both financial security and peace of mind.
Insurance Exclusions and Waiting Periods
Pet health insurance typically excludes pre-existing conditions, and animals with chronic illnesses are often not eligible for coverage. Insurers usually set an age limit, with younger dogs frequently qualifying for lower premiums.
Coverage typically extends only to medically necessary treatments and operations. Preventive measures, such as neutering, vaccinations, or dental care, are not always included; therefore, it is essential to review the policy details.
Pet health insurance policies also come with waiting periods before benefits apply. Many insurers set a general waiting period of 1-3 months, while certain illnesses may have waiting times of up to 12 or even 18 months. Accidents, however, are often covered immediately.
Dog Health Insurance Options
There are different ways to ensure your dog’s health in Germany, and choosing the right plan requires careful consideration.
Types of Dog Health Insurance
- Surgery-only plans: These are the most affordable option and cover costs for medically necessary operations.
- Comprehensive plans: These policies include both surgical and non-surgical treatments, giving your dog wider access to medical care.
Criteria for Good Dog Health Insurance Policies
The benefits can vary significantly between insurers and policies. When selecting a plan, you should pay close attention to:
- Surgery insurance should cover not only the operation itself but also diagnostics, follow-up treatment, hospital stays, medication, and even dental procedures such as extractions or root canals.
- Comprehensive insurance plans often come with different benefit levels. Premium options typically cover expenses without limits, whereas lower-cost plans usually impose annual caps.
- Preventive care should ideally be included, such as allowances for vaccinations, deworming, or dental cleaning.
- The plan should reimburse treatments according to all 4 fee rates of the official Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT), which allows veterinarians to charge between one and four times the base rate depending on the case. From my experience reviewing insurance products for expats, policies that support all fee rates of the Veterinary Fee Schedule are particularly valuable, since emergency treatments are often billed at higher rates.
Combining Dog Insurance Policies
You can take out dog insurance as individual policies or choose a combined package that includes both health and liability insurance. While combining offers advantages, it is important to review the details of each policy carefully.
Benefits of Bundling Dog Insurance
Combined policies include dog liability insurance and dog health insurance. This provides comprehensive insurance coverage for your dog.
With such a policy, you profit from different benefits:
- Comprehensive protection: Health and liability are covered in one package.
- Convenience: All benefits and claims are managed through a single provider.
- Cost savings: Many insurers offer discounts when both policies are purchased together.
However, a combination only makes sense if both the health and liability components provide sufficient benefits for you and your dog. Always compare the conditions of each policy before deciding to bundle.
A combined policy for health and liability can be convenient and often cheaper. In my experience, however, it only makes sense if both components provide solid benefits. Always review the conditions of each policy carefully before deciding to bundle.
Insurance for Multiple Dogs
If you own more than one dog, you usually need to take out a separate policy for each animal. Many insurers offer discounts for a second or third dog, making coverage more affordable.
Some providers also allow you to bundle multiple dogs under a single contract, creating additional cost advantages. As always, it pays to compare different options and check whether combined coverage is possible.
Evaluating Dog Insurance Providers
Many insurers in Germany offer pet insurance, but the quality of coverage, service, and pricing can vary widely. Among the most popular providers for expats are Getsafe and Feather, both of which specialize in digital insurance solutions. Lassie has also entered the market with modern, app-based policies for dog owners.
All 3 providers offer both dog health and liability insurance, meaning combined coverage is possible. Their services are fully digital and available in both German and English, making them particularly attractive for expats.
Claims can be submitted via the mobile app, online portal, or email, which simplifies the handling process and reduces waiting times.
That said, it remains important for dog owners to compare providers carefully. Key factors include coverage details, deductibles, annual or per-claim reimbursement limits, and the insurer’s financial stability and reliability. From my perspective as a financial journalist with long-standing experience in expat finance, choosing a provider with transparent conditions and responsive English-speaking support often makes a decisive difference for newcomers.
Cost of Dog Insurance
The cost of insuring your dog depends on several factors and can vary widely between providers and policy types.
The price of German dog insurance can vary considerably. For example, pet health insurance costs for a 2-year-old medium-sized dog may range from several hundred euros per year to over €1,000 annually, depending on the level of coverage. Liability insurance is generally more affordable; however, prices also vary depending on the insurer and the dog’s profile.
Factors affecting the cost of dog insurance
- Breed, size, and age of your dog
- Type of the policy — i.e., surgical or comprehensive coverage of pet health insurance, combined dog health and liability
- Coverage limits
- Deductibles
The monthly premiums and the included services determine the price-performance ratio of dog insurance. The right choice strikes a balance between benefits and premiums. From my experience, comparing several offers is the most reliable way to find a policy that combines good value for money with the level of protection you need.
Choosing the Right Dog Insurance Policy
There is no single “best” dog insurance policy. The right choice depends on your personal requirements and budget. However, the following tips can help guide your decision:
- Value for money: The premium should fairly reflect the benefits included.
- Coverage: Surgery-only plans are cheaper, but comprehensive plans protect you from the high costs of other medical treatments.
- Deductible: Higher deductibles lower the premium, but should remain affordable in case of a claim.
- Exclusions: Review exclusions carefully, especially in pet health insurance, as they often relate to preventive or dental care. Pet health insurers do not insure pre-existing conditions. They often also rule out certain hereditary or breed-specific diseases.
- Benefit Limitations: Annual maximum limits should be high enough to ensure proper treatment without incurring excessive out-of-pocket costs.
These factors determine how well a policy truly protects your dog — and your finances. In my opinion, expats in particular should pay close attention to transparency and the availability of English-language documentation to avoid misunderstandings.
Pet Liability Insurance Considerations
For liability insurance, the sum insured should be at least €5 million. Better policies ensure significantly higher amounts, up to €20 or €50 million. If an insurer separates coverage amounts for personal, property, and economic damages, financial losses should be insured for at least €50,000 and rental property damage for at least €300,000.
Most policies do not require a deductible, and worldwide coverage is often included — though sometimes with time restrictions outside the EU.
As a financial journalist with over 16 years of experience advising expats, I have seen how quickly veterinary costs and liability claims can escalate for dog owners in Germany. In my perspective, combining health and liability insurance provides the best balance of protection. Feather is a strong option for those who value straightforward conditions and reliable liability cover, while Getsafe offers flexible health tariffs and exceptionally high liability coverage of up to €50 million. Both stand out for their digital handling and clear English-language documentation, which makes them particularly suitable for expats.
Conclusion
With dog health insurance and dog liability insurance, you ensure comprehensive coverage for both your pet and yourself. These policies protect you from high veterinary bills as well as the financial consequences of damage your dog may cause.
You can purchase both policies individually or as a combined package, often at a reduced price. When selecting a provider, consider not only premiums but also the insurer’s reputation, customer service, and the clarity of their policy wording. For expats in Germany, digital insurers such as Feather and Getsafe stand out by offering strong protection, clear English documentation, and simple digital management.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
The process is similar to private health insurance for people. You receive an invoice from your veterinarian, which you submit to your insurer. After review, the reimbursed amount — minus any deductible — is transferred to your account. You then pay the invoice directly to the vet or animal hospital. With providers like Feather and Getsafe, claims can be submitted easily online or via mobile app.
You must inform your insurer immediately, even if no formal claim has yet been filed. Once a claim is submitted, the insurer checks whether it is justified and either pays or rejects it. Important: do not acknowledge liability or make payments without the insurer’s consent, as this could put your coverage at risk.
No. Most insurers require a risk assessment based on your dog’s age and breed. Pre-existing conditions are excluded, and certain breeds may face higher premiums due to genetic health risks. Some insurers also ask for additional health information before granting coverage.
Yes. Both you as the policyholder and the insurer have termination rights. Ordinary termination is possible with three months’ notice at year-end. Insurers may also terminate after frequent or high claims, though not all providers exercise this right. Feather and Getsafe give for their pet health insurance a lifelong insurance guarantee.
Yes. You can cancel outside of the regular period if premiums increase without an extension of benefits, if your dog no longer lives with you, or if you permanently leave Germany. The notice period in such cases is usually 1 month.