September 17, 2022, 2:42 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Just like humans, a range of insurance policies can be beneficial for dogs to protect both the pet and its owner in cases such as illnesses and accidents.
Most dog owners decide early on to take out one or more insurance policies for their pet to financially guard against various risks. After all, unforeseen costs can quickly strain the wallet. The range of options is now quite extensive. PETBOOK summarizes the most important insurance policies for dogs and their costs.
What Insurance Policies Are Available for Dogs?
Veterinary costs due to illnesses or accidents can quickly exceed the household budget. That’s why many owners rightly opt for dog health insurance. A dog liability insurance is also almost standard now–in some states, it’s even mandatory.
Overview of Dog Insurance Policies:
- Dog Health Insurance
- Dog Surgery Insurance
- Comprehensive Insurance for Dogs
- Dog Liability Insurance
- Commercial Dog Liability Insurance
- Kennel Liability Insurance
- Travel Insurance
- Trip Cancellation Insurance
What Insurance Do I Need for My Dog?
1. Dog Health Insurance
Dog health insurance is an important protection that can, in the worst case, decide the life or death of the animal. If the dog becomes ill and the treatment costs exceed the owner’s financial means, the dog’s well-being inevitably suffers. Dog health insurance prevents this serious situation by covering veterinary and medical care costs. Depending on the provider and chosen plan, the insurance benefits may vary, so pet owners should carefully read the fine print before signing up. Combining health insurance with surgery insurance can also be beneficial, as it covers even more contingencies.
2. Dog Surgery Insurance
Not only is dog health insurance important, but dog surgery insurance is also a crucial protection for the pet. It covers high costs that may arise from surgery due to an accident or illness. Without such protection, the cost of surgery, which can quickly run into thousands, could create a significant financial burden. Dog surgery insurance covers both minor and major surgical procedures, which can be life-saving. Most plans also include the cost of anesthesia during surgery and subsequent inpatient care at the veterinary practice.
3. Comprehensive Insurance for Dogs
Many insurance providers offer the option of comprehensive dog insurance. This combines the benefits of dog surgery insurance with additional services, such as covering veterinary costs. This combination can be very useful in practice, as surgery always involves pre- and post-operative medical care. Most comprehensive insurance plans include not only surgery costs but also diagnostic costs (such as X-rays or ECGs), therapy, and sometimes even homeopathic treatments. In many cases, preventive measures like deworming are also covered or subsidized by the insurer.
4. Dog Liability Insurance
In addition to accidents and illnesses, unforeseen costs can also arise from property and personal damage caused by the pet. Therefore, dog liability insurance is one of the most important protections for both dog and owner. In six states, it is even legally required. Currently, these are:
- Berlin
- Hamburg
- Schleswig-Holstein
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Lower Saxony
- Thuringia
The requirement to take out insurance has a good reason: A single moment of inattention is enough for the pet to accidentally collide with a car or cyclist, potentially causing vehicle damage. The dog’s injuries are covered by health insurance, but who covers the damage to the other party? None other than the dog owner personally.
5. Travel Insurance for Dogs
Dog owners who travel frequently often take their pets along. However, travel insurance for dogs is only necessary in specific cases, as some providers offer separate travel insurance for pets, but it is often already included in the standard trip cancellation insurance. If the dog frequently falls ill, it is especially important to check whether the cancellation insurance also covers pets.
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Which Dog Insurance Policies Are Really Worth It
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What Do Dog Insurance Policies Cost?
The cost of dog insurance depends on various factors. The most important include:
- Age
- Breed
- Pre-existing conditions
- Location, as insurance offers vary from state to state
An overview of the costs for important dog insurance policies:
- Dog Health Insurance: approx. 7 euros per month
- Dog Surgery Insurance: approx. 6 euros per month
- Comprehensive Insurance for Dogs: approx. 15 euros per month
- Dog Liability Insurance: approx. 3 euros per month
- Travel Insurance for Dogs: depends on the provider and travel cost
Tip: Read the Fine Print on Insurance Policies
When choosing dog insurance, it’s best not to focus solely on the monthly price but also on the included services and coverage amount. Offers vary widely and should therefore be carefully compared.
Sources
- Dog Liability Insurance Comparison, “These Insurance Policies You Can Take Out for Your Dog” (accessed on 7/27/2022)