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Insurance for Dog or horse owner: what you really need
Dog and horse owners are strictly liable for damage their animal causes, even without fault. Personal liability does not cover this. Berlin, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and other states require liability cover for every dog. Vet bills after surgery quickly reach thousands of euros.
You can skip
- Full health cover for an older pet
Premiums rise sharply with age and existing conditions are excluded. Surgery-only cover or savings are often more sensible.
The policies one by one
Dog and horse liability
In Germany, the keeper of a dog or horse is liable for damage the animal causes, even without doing anything wrong. Personal liability insurance does not cover these animals. Seven federal …
Pet health insurance
German vets charge according to a statutory fee scale, the GOT, which was raised substantially in November 2022. Emergency visits cost at least double the standard rate plus a flat fee. Pet …
Legal expenses insurance
Legal expenses insurance pays for lawyers, court fees and experts when you need to enforce your rights or defend yourself. In Germany it is widespread and sold in modules: private life, …
Why this order
The rule: existential risks first, expensive ones second, comfort last
First insure what could ruin you financially: unlimited liability towards others under the German Civil Code, the loss of your income through illness, and your house if you own one. Then losses that hurt but will not ruin you, such as replacing the contents of a flat. Comfort cover such as dental top-ups or travel extras comes last.
Pay small losses yourself. Every premium carries administration costs, so insuring a phone or glasses costs more over the years than it pays out. Compulsory in Germany are health insurance with long-term care cover for everyone, motor liability for every registered vehicle and, in several federal states, dog liability.