Feather Pet Insurance — Review for Expats

Introduction

Feather has built a reputation as one of the most expat-friendly insurance providers in Germany. For pet owners, this matters because the company offers 2 essential pet insurance products: pet health insurance for dogs and cats, and pet liability insurance for dogs.

Everything is handled fully digitally, entirely in English, and designed to simplify a process that many expats find confusing in the German insurance system.

Since I own both a dog and a cat, I tested both Feather policies myself to see how they perform in practice. Beyond my perspective as a pet owner, I also bring professional expertise as a financial journalist who has been covering insurance and other financial products for expats in Germany for many years. That combination of hands-on testing and industry knowledge provides me with a clear understanding of what Feather does well and where its limits lie.

About Feather Insurance

Feather is a Berlin-based InsurTech company that specializes in creating straightforward and transparent insurance products for expats living in Germany. Instead of dealing with traditional paperwork and German-only contracts, the company provides digital sign-up, clear terms, and English-speaking support. This approach has made them a go-to option for expats seeking easy access to insurance without having to navigate the complexity of the German language and bureaucracy.

Beyond pet insurance, Feather offers a wide range of insurance plans tailored to internationals in Germany. These include private health insurance and expat health insurance, as well as advice and onboarding support for public health insurance in Germany. Other products cater to everyday needs, including bike insurance, household contents insurance, occupational disability insurance, and private liability insurance. Feather also provides supplementary health products for dental treatments, to avoid low-quality procedures or tooth replacement, along with legal protection, pension, and life insurance, as well as travel and car insurance.

This makes Feather one of the few digital providers with such a broad coverage, aiming to be a one-stop shop for expats navigating the German insurance market.

Strong Reputation due to Trust and Convenience

In terms of credibility, Feather has been featured in major media outlets and has built a strong reputation for prompt claim handling, transparency, and customer satisfaction.

While not a traditional insurance broker, Feather collaborates with well-established partners across various insurance sectors. This fully digital approach combines the reliability of trusted providers with the flexibility of a modern tech company.

A dedicated support team is available to assist customers in English and German. Feedback from satisfied customers often highlights the simplicity of the process and the accessibility of the Feather team.

For expats and pet owners alike, this creates a balance of trust and convenience that is rarely found in the traditional German insurance market.

Among Feather’s most relevant products for pet owners are their dog liability insurance and their pet health insurance, both of which I tested in detail.

Feather Dog Liability Insurance

For dog owners in Germany, liability insurance is not only one of the most important protections — in many federal states, it is also a legal requirement. That’s why I looked closely at what Feather offers in this area.

Coverage Details

Feather’s dog liability insurance offers a strong package compared to many other pet insurance providers. The coverage sum reaches €20 million per claim, while many competitors limit their policies to €5 million. The insurance covers personal injury, property damage, and financial losses — the 3 standard categories required for dog liability in Germany.

The policy is priced from €5.58 per month, though the exact premium depends on breed, age, and size of the dog. Possible deductibles may also influence the price, though Feather does not provide detailed information on self-retention on its website.

Positive aspects worth highlighting:

• Worldwide coverage, even if you permanently move abroad.
• Puppy protection up to one year, which is useful for young dog owners.
• Best coverage guarantee: Feather guarantees that any claim which another German dog liability insurance would accept will also be covered under their policy.
• Family members and non-professional dog sitters are automatically included.

These features together create a strong price-performance ratio that positions Feather as a particularly attractive option in the German insurance market.

Limitations

Anyone who chooses Feather’s liability policy should be aware of several exclusions:

• Dangerous breeds: No coverage for purebred dogs listed as “dangerous” under German law. This includes 4 nationally listed breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier) plus 10 additional breeds that Feather excludes. Crossbreeds, however, can be insured.
• Professional dog sitters: Damages caused while dogs are in the care of professional sitters are excluded.
• Glass breakage: While rental property damages are insured, glass breakage in rental apartments is not included.

Transparency and Usability — Feather Dog Liability Insurance Tested

I tested Feather’s liability insurance myself and insured my dog with it. What immediately stood out was the clarity of the contract. Traditional German policies are often dense and challenging to follow, but Feather presents the terms in plain English and provides a simple digital dashboard.

Sign-up Process

Getting an offer for my dog was straightforward. Feather lets you start either via their website or the mobile app, both of which guide you through a short questionnaire.

When I applied, Feather only asked me a handful of simple questions: whether I had made any dog liability claims in the past 3 years, if a previous insurer had ever canceled my policy, and whether my dog was a mixed breed or a purebred. Interestingly, there was no follow-up question about the specific breed when I selected “mixed breed.” For Feather, the dog’s size or even partial ancestry from a so-called dangerous breed did not play a role in the offer process.

Since the dog I wanted to insure is a medium-sized mixed breed, I did not need to provide any further details. My quote came out at €6.90 per month without a deductible, or €5.58 with a €150 deductible per claim — the minimum premium for Feather’s pet insurance. I chose the deductible option, as it seemed to strike the best balance between cost and protection.

The contract was finalized completely digitally, and the policy documents were delivered directly online. I completed my sign-up on Feather’s website, but the app (available for both iOS and Android) offers the same functionality. It not only allows new policies to be taken out but also provides a convenient way to manage existing ones.

To test the whole process further, I also simulated a purebred dog. A German Shepherd could be insured under the same conditions as my mixed breed. However, when I tried to obtain a quote for an American Pit Bull Terrier, the system immediately declined the application.

Overall, the sign-up was fast, transparent, and refreshingly simple compared to many traditional insurers.

Claim Handling

Submitting a claim with Feather is designed to be straightforward and fully digital. According to the company, you typically need to provide details of the incident, information about your dog, including its name, and the contact details of the affected party, along with supporting evidence such as invoices, receipts, or photos.

In my case, my dog chewed on a mattress in a holiday apartment abroad. I reported the damage through the Feather app after first clarifying the process with a customer service agent in the chat. I uploaded photos of the mattress, the required documents, and a cost estimate for replacement. The claim was processed quickly and without unnecessary back-and-forth. Within less than a week, the costs were reimbursed.

This personal experience aligns with what many customers highlight in their reviews: claims can be filed completely online, the process is transparent, and most cases are settled within a few days to 2 weeks if all necessary documents are complete. Communication is described as clear and responsive, with regular updates on the claim status.

My Experience

Overall, I found Feather’s dog liability insurance to be a highly accessible and practical solution for expats. It covers the key legal requirements, eliminates the headache of German paperwork, and provides peace of mind for everyday risks, such as dog bites and other third-party damages caused by dogs. For most dog owners, the policy offers the right balance between simplicity, affordability, and comprehensive coverage.

That said, some competitors, such as Getsafe, offer even higher limits (up to €50 million) and fewer exclusions. Feather remains a strong choice, especially for expats who want fast, digital service and worldwide coverage. A few negative experiences do exist, typically related to complex claims or missing documents; however, the consensus is that Feather focuses on quick and uncomplicated digital claim handling.

Pros & Cons — Feather Dog Liability Insurance

Feather Pet Health Insurance

For pet owners, the biggest financial risks often come from unexpected vet bills. Feather offers a dedicated health insurance policy for dogs and cats, split into 2 simple plans. Vet bills and medical costs are reimbursed — Feather pet health insurance helps to ensure access to medical care without financial stress.

Coverage Details

Feather keeps its coverage options simple. Pet owners can choose between 2 tariffs:

• Surgery plan (from around €14–35 per month): Basic coverage for surgeries and related treatments, including diagnostics, medication, post-operative care, and physiotherapy. Hospital stays after surgery are also covered under the Surgery plan.
• Plus plan (from around €50–91 per month): offers more comprehensive coverage, including consultations, preventive care, medication, and dental treatments.

Choosing the right coverage depends on whether you prioritize surgery-only protection or everyday treatments.

Reimbursement can be set at 80% or 100%, and waiting periods are moderate: none for accidents, 1 month for standard treatments, and 6 to 18 months for certain special conditions.

Surgeries are covered in both plans without a cap; however, the Plus plan has annual limits for veterinary treatments, including a total of €800, €150 for dental care, and €70 for preventative care, which includes annual check-ups and preventative treatments. Physiotherapy is included with up to 10 sessions of 30 minutes each per year.

Coverage is available for pets from 8 weeks to 6 years old at sign-up, with lifetime continuation once insured. Worldwide coverage is included for up to 12 months — useful for expats who travel or relocate.

Feather is transparent about pre-existing conditions that cannot be insured. These include, for example, diabetes, hip or elbow dysplasia, and most allergies (except for food allergies, which are covered). Other chronic or congenital issues, like growing tumors or malformations, are also excluded.

Another limitation is the relatively low annual reimbursement cap in the Plus plan. It is presented as one of Feather’s comprehensive plans, but in reality, it does not offer comprehensive coverage due to the €800 yearly cap. Even though reimbursement extends up to GOT 4 (the maximum fee scale for vets in Germany), the cap may still be reached quickly.

Transparency and Usability — Feather Pet Health Insurance Tested

I explored the offer process in Feather’s app, which took only a few minutes to complete. The system asked whether the pet was a mix or purebred (with breed requested if purebred), the dog’s shoulder height (below or above 44 cm), and the age.

For my medium-sized mixed breed, 1.5 years old, the quote came to €18.43 per month (Surgery plan, with 20% deductible) and €53.30 (Plus plan, with 20% deductible). Without a deductible, the prices would rise to €21.68 (Surgery) and €62.64 (Plus).

I also simulated a six-year-old dog of the same type. With a deductible, you would pay €25.35 (Surgery) and €61.55 (Plus). Without a deductible, the premium would be roughly 20% higher — around €30.40 and €73.85, respectively.

For cats, the pricing is the same. A 1.5-year-old mixed-breed cat would cost €14.60 (Surgery with deductible) or €39.86 (Plus with deductible). A six-year-old cat showed identical prices, which suggests that age does not affect premiums for cats. Without a deductible, the monthly costs would be about €17.50 (Surgery) and €47.80 (Plus).

Overall, the offer process was smooth, transparent, and fast. I did not finalize a contract due to the relatively low annual limits, but the experience confirmed Feather’s digital-first approach.

Claim Handling

Although I did not personally file a health insurance claim with Feather, the process is identical to filing a liability claim: invoices from the vet can be submitted directly through the app or web portal. Based on my experience with the liability policy and customer feedback, claims are typically processed quickly and transparently, with reimbursement often completed within a few days to 2 weeks once documents are submitted.

My Experience

Feather’s pet health insurance is easy to understand, simple to manage, and tailored to expats who need English-language support. The Surgery plan is a good value for those mainly concerned with major emergencies. The Plus plan adds everyday treatments and preventive care, but the €800 annual cap limits its usefulness for pets with chronic or expensive conditions.

For younger, generally healthy dogs and cats, Feather provides a fair balance of affordability and coverage. But for pet owners seeking truly comprehensive coverage, the low annual limits are a clear drawback.

Pros & Cons — Feather Pet Health Insurance

Feather Pet Insurance — Usability, Service & Value

One of Feather’s biggest strengths is its digital-first approach. Both the app and the online portal are intuitive, allowing me to manage policies, submit claims, and upload documents quickly. In my test, the claim process was smooth and transparent, with regular updates and no unnecessary paperwork.

Customer service is another strong point. Support is available in English and German, which makes a real difference for expats. I found the responses quick and helpful, both in the app chat and via email.

In terms of value, Feather positions itself as a modern alternative to traditional insurers. While the absolute coverage limits may not always reach the levels of larger providers, the combination of transparency, ease of use, and worldwide coverage makes it a very appealing option. I would recommend Feather especially for expats, digital-savvy customers, and frequent travelers who prioritize simplicity and English-language support over complex add-ons.

Pros & Cons — Feather Pet Insurance (Overall)

Conclusion

In this Feather insurance review, I found: Feather makes pet insurance simple, digital, and expat-friendly. Liability comes with strong coverage and worldwide protection, while health insurance offers fair value but limited yearly caps. Overall, Feather is best suited for expats and digital-savvy pet owners who want clarity, speed, and ease of use.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ