Dog Liability Insurance in Germany: All You Need to Know
Living in Germany with a dog or plan on bringing your dog to Germany? Make sure to sign-up for additional dog liability insurance, specifically Hundehaftpflichtversicherung. German law states that you are liable for any harm or damage caused by your dog. This is very similar to personal liability insurance and necessitates the need to buy insurance to protect you from unforeseen costs down the road. Here is all you need to know about dog liability insurance in Germany and how to get set up with a good plan.
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What is Dog Liability Insurance in Germany?
Dog liability insurance in Germany (called “Hundehaftpflichtversicherung”) is like personal liability insurance, but for your dog. Essentially, this insurance covers physical damage or injury caused by your dog.
Here are some quick examples:
Your overly-excited four legged companion jumps on your neighbor, causing them to fall and injure themselves. Have dog liability insurance? You’re covered.
Fido jumps on your neighbors new Mercedes and scratches the paint. Have dog liability insurance? You’re covered.
Your dog walks into the street causing a huge string of accidents. Have dog liability insurance? You’re covered.
Why You Need Dog Liability Insurance:
You need dog liability insurance for the same reason you need personal liability insurance. You can’t predict your future financial challenges, but you can certainly plan on protecting yourself from them.
Pet liability insurance will protect you from potentially very expensive problems down the road due to your dogs actions.
GETSAFE covers you for up to €15 million of damages… or just for that €300 Patagonia jacket that got torn open. Luko will cover you for €30 million.
It’s not hard to imagine this high value if you consider the worst case; your dog causing a string of accidents with injuries requiring hospital stays, loss of wages, plus the totaled vehicles.
In Germany you’re liable for every penny.
Who Needs Dog Liability Insurance in Germany:
Legally speaking, only 6 states of Germany require dog liability insurance. In the other states you are not obligated to purchase a plan however it is strongly encouraged.
For reasons mentioned earlier, anyone living with a dog in Germany should have dog liability insurance. 2kg or 100kg in size, this insurance coverage should be purchased.
Where is Dog Liability Insurance in Germany Required by Law?
German states where dog liability insurance is required:
Berlin
Hamburg
Niedersachsen
Sachsen-Anhalt
Schleswig-Holtstein
Thuringen
Other federal states in Germany require dog liability insurance if your dog is considered dangerous or are certain breeds. Check with your local regulations for an up to date list of which dogs are deemed dangerous. Either way, take out dog liability insurance!
Here are the specific states regulations:
What’s Covered with Dog Liability Insurance:
Dog liability insurance will cover 3 categories: Personal injuries, property damage, and financial losses.
Here are some examples of those:
Personal injuries
Your doggo bites someone’s hand while playing.
Unfortunately your elderly neighbor trips over your dog in the city center, falling down and injuring themselves.
Unexpectedly, your dog lunges at someone causing them to fall down.
German dog liability insurance will cover compensation for pain and suffering as well as the treatment and medical bills after the incident.
Property Damage
Max chews up your friends new fancy leather shoes.
Fido rips a hole in your neighbor’s coat when jumping on them.
Rover has an accident in your friend's car, requiring professional cleaning.
You’re covered.
Financial losses
Your dog injures somebody which prevents them from working. In Germany you are liable to cover their lost salary.
You left Spot outside of a store for a few minutes while you went shopping and they barked at people walking by. If this caused a reduction in customers, the store could claim financial losses at your expense.
In short: make sure to purchase dog liability insurance.
Male Dog Impregnating a Female Dog
If your dog finds a companion and gets her pregnant, the owner of the male dog is liable for all veterinary costs. Dog liability insurance will cover these costs.
Bonus add-on - Rented Items
GETSAFE has an add-on to their dog liability insurance which will cover damages to a rented property. This can cover the repair work to damaged floors, or other damage fido might have done. If you go on vacation to a rented flat, you’re covered there as well.
What’s NOT Covered with Dog Liability Insurance:
Damage to your own personal property isn’t covered. Dog liability insurance in Germany only covers damage to 3rd parties and their property.
Fines
Forget to bring a bag and pick up your dogs poop in Germany? Let your dog off leash in an area where leashes are mandatory? You’ll get fined.
Sorry, you’re out of luck on help from your insurance provider. Always read and abide by the rules - your insurance doesn’t cover ignorance.
Wear and Tear
Did your rug age quickly due to your dog scratching themselves constantly?
This is not covered, it’s common and expected with having a dog as a pet.
Personal Damage
You are not covered if your dog damages any of your personally owned items. This can include clothing, shoes, remote, coffee table, etc.
If your dog injures someone living in your own house, such as your family, you are not covered.
Start training your dog early on what is right and wrong! Insurance won’t help you with this one.
Our dog Georgia, thoroughly enjoying Europe
Intentional Damage
You are not covered for injury or damage that is considered intentional.
Did you ask your dog to jump on your neighbors car?
Maybe your neighbor deserved it. But unfortunately, you will need to open up your own pocket book here.
Who is Covered Under Dog Liability Insurance:
Again, the dog owner is covered if your dog has done something wrong and caused damage to a person or property.
If you have a dog sitter or dog walker, they are also covered when taking your doggo out for a stroll around the town. If your dog bites your dog sitter while playing, the pet liability insurance will cover all costs associated with it.
What to Consider when Purchasing German Dog Liability Insurance
To non-Germans, the idea of dog liability insurance is probably strange and new. You most likely have more questions than the average German citizen.
We know that back in the states saying “I’m so sorry” or, “ oh he’s just playing” was enough to get out of most situations. Not in Germany. Buy insurance!
Here is what you can consider when shopping for dog liability insurance in Germany:
English Contract:
For foreigners living in Germany who are not native German speakers, most likely you may be looking for options that are 100% English. Even with a good understanding of the German language, be cautious with fully understanding the fine print in your legal contract. Customer support, contracts, and claims can be available in English. Good news, these exist!
English Website & App Option:
Google Translate can automatically convert most websites relatively easily, but it’s not guaranteed. Putting the responsibility of the English translations on the company will prevent unknown mistakes.
English Speaking Customer Support:
Trying to speak German when it comes to legal terms or explaining the all-important details of an accident can make you sweat with anxiety. Take the stress away knowing that the accident you’re dealing with can be handled without any additional stress.
No Paperwork:
Germans are known to love paperwork, rules, and snail mail. Trying to navigate written forms and mailing them around the country can be stressful and time consuming. We recommend looking for companies who are capable of handling claims and contracts through smartphone apps.
Customized Add-ons:
Custom policies with add-ons to suit you and your dogs lifestyle.
No Contact Duration:
Contract durations in Germany commonly require 3 months to a year notice to cancel. If you’re unsure of your future of living in Germany as an expat, consider a plan which allows immediate cancellation.
International Coverage:
Taking your puppy out of Germany for a while? Some of these plans provide worldwide coverage!
Coverage Amount:
Have a high coverage >€25 million, some German federal states have a mandated coverage minimum. Damage costs due to accidents by your dog could be extraordinary.
Monthly Cost:
Many of the policies available are competitive with each other in price, just be sure what you sign up for is a realistic cost for the coverage you personally need.
Breed Coverage:
First, research your local German federal state regulations to make sure your dog breed is allowed. Second, check whether your insurance provider covers your dog breed.
Multiple Dogs per Contract:
Some insurance providers (Luko for example) require multiple plans for multiple dogs. Some will let you include your full furry family under one plan (GETSAFE). However don’t expect the single plan for multiple dogs to be cheaper, they are simply included into one.
How much does dog liability insurance cost in Germany?
Pet liability insurance in Germany can cost as little as 2.50€ a month. It’s really a small amount of money to help you sleep well at night knowing you won’t go bankrupt by your dog putting their paws on your neighbor.
The actual cost will depend on the dog breed and age of the owner. We’ll use our two dogs as examples with Luko:
Owner: 35 years old.
Dog breed #1: Flat Coated Retriever
Cost: €5.99
Dog Breed #2: Mixed breed
Cost: €5.99
Same dogs listed above on one plan.
Cost: €12.08
What are the Best Dog Liability Insurance Plans in Germany
The top 3 dog liability insurance in Germany for expats are Feather, Luko and GETSAFE. We’ve landed on these 3 because of their extensive English speaking option, clear contracts, and extraordinarily easy to file claims. We recommend that you check these plans out and get signed up with one of them immediately for your doggo.
Feather
Pros:
Best coverage guarantee
The most comprehensive plan available
Cancel monthly
English everything
Worldwide coverage
High coverage of €20m
Cons:
The most expensive of the three, €6.90/month
Luko
Pros:
High coverage of €30m
English everything
No deductible
No fixed duration
Highly rated on Google Play & App Store
All dog breeds are covered
Worldwide coverage
Cons:
The highest monthly rate, starting at €5.99/month
Multiple dogs require multiple contracts
Click here to sign up for Luko in just a few minutes.
Luko also offers a 15euro discount for new signups. Use the code 15RABATT when you sign up!
GETSAFE
Pros:
Low monthly rate of only €2.50
No deductible option
English everything except contract
Cancel monthly
Highly rated on Google Play & App Store
Worldwide coverage
1 plan for up to 10 dogs & puppies (not necessarily cheaper)
Cons:
Lower coverage compared to Feather, €15m
No english contract available
App must be used for all actions
Not all dog breeds are covered
Go here to get a quote from GETSAFE in just a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Liability Insurance in Germany
What if another dog bites my dog?
The other dog’s owner is liable to pay all costs, even if they don’t have insurance coverage. Luko has an add-on called “SOS: Dog Bite” which will pay up to €500 to cover immediate veterinarian claims, instead of having to wait.
Do I need multiple dog liability insurance plans if I have multiple dogs?
If you use Luko, yes you do. If you choose GETSAFE, you’re okay with one.
If my dog chews up my personal items or bites a family member, am I covered?
No, dog liability insurance in Germany will not cover your personal items or your family. It only covers 3rd parties and their property.
Are new puppies in Germany covered by our dog liability insurance plan?
Yes. As long as the puppies were born after the commencement of the dog liability insurance plan, they are automatically covered for their first year of life.
Is dog liability insurance tax deductible in Germany?
Yes! Because liability insurance is considered financial protection of the policyholder, it can be claimed as a precautionary expense in your tax declaration.
Does personal liability insurance cover my dog?
No, in Germany your dog is not included in your personal liability insurance. You must take out a separate dog liability insurance policy.
Does dog liability insurance cover my dog’s health problems and veterinary costs?
No, it doesn’t. You will need to take out a pet health insurance plan. We recommend Luko to get your dog health insurance plan.
Luko also offers a 15euro discount for new signups. Use the code 15RABATT when you sign up!