May 2, 2023, 4:14 am | Read time: 13 minutes

It goes without saying that most dog owners want to adequately insure man’s best friend. At the latest, when costs arise that create a significant financial burden, even skeptical dog owners consider sufficient insurance coverage. PETBOOK reveals which insurances are available for your dog and what to consider when choosing a policy. 

This Insurance Offer Exists for Dogs 

Dog owners can insure their pets in case of necessary surgery or general illness. Damages caused by their dog are covered by liability insurance for dogs. We explain the different types of insurance. 

Surgery Insurance 

Surgery insurance for dogs covers costs when a surgical procedure is necessary due to illness or an accident. However, there are differences among insurance providers regarding the scope of coverage. These questions can help find a good policy: 

• Are only the surgery costs covered, or also the costs for necessary examinations and preparations the day before the operation? 
• Are the costs for post-operative care covered? If so, to what extent and for what period? Costs include medications, physiotherapy, bandages, follow-up examinations, and accommodation in an animal clinic.  
• Are certain illnesses excluded from the insurance policy? This is particularly relevant for breed-specific diseases. 
• How long is the waiting period before the insurance benefits can be claimed? 

Also interesting: The Best Surgery Insurances for Pets: Important Coverage

Health Insurance 

Surgery insurance for dogs only applies when a surgical procedure is performed. All other treatments that may occur at the vet are not covered and must be paid by the owner. This includes vaccinations, deworming, and illnesses that can be treated with medication. This gap is closed by health insurance for dogs.  

Whether this is sensible and whether dog owners should spend money on it depends on the individual risk. Generally, the larger the animal, the higher the costs at the vet often are, making health insurance more sensible compared to surgery insurance.  

Dog owners should carefully read the insurance terms. Especially purebred dogs often have an increased risk for certain diseases due to overbreeding. A prominent example is the pug, which can have such breathing problems due to its shortened snout that there is a risk of suffocation. However, these breed-specific diseases are often excluded from coverage. 

Also interesting: 5 Common Diseases in Dogs

Liability Insurance 

Whether in the heat of the moment, during play, or in a confrontation with other dogs, something can happen faster than you think, and dog owners are responsible for covering the costs. The options for coverage vary, but even inexpensive insurances can offer high protection. Since dog owners can be held financially responsible with their entire private assets for damages caused by their pet, insurance is worthwhile in any case.  

Items that can and should be covered include: 

• Property and personal damages with high coverage amounts (at least 10 million euros recommended) even for individual injured persons 
• Insurance coverage even in case of violation of leash or muzzle requirements 
• International coverage 
• Damages while walking with third parties 
• Damages in apartments (coverage amounts of at least 500,000 euros recommended) 

Optional additions that can also be useful: 

• Puppy protection for a female dog’s offspring in the first six months of life 
• Coverage for breeding damages if your male dog sires offspring unintentionally 

Good to know: Separate policies must be taken out for listed dogs. Due to the special risk potential of these breeds, special rates are offered that are not covered by normal liability insurances. 

Also interesting: These Breeds Are Considered Listed Dogs in Germany

These Benefits Are Offered by Dog Insurance 

When comparing dog insurances, the advantages of taking out a good insurance policy quickly become apparent. We list the most important benefits, even if not every point applies to every type of insurance: 

• Dog owners do not have to expect unforeseen costs but pay calculable amounts. 
• The scope of insurance can be adjusted according to personal preferences through the choice of insurance policy.
• In the event of a claim, policyholders can focus on the essentials and do not have to worry about costs 
• Veterinary treatments no longer pose a financial risk. 

• Necessary surgeries do not have to depend on financial considerations.

The Best Dog Insurances in the Test: What Matters 

The needs of dog owners when taking out insurance for their dog are clear. An ideal policy offers optimal coverage at the lowest possible premium. Reputable tests or comparisons of dog insurances relieve dog owners of some of the work.  

However, since the results are not always fully transferable to one’s own dog and insurance needs, a personal comparison of dog insurances is ultimately unavoidable. Essentially, it comes down to the points of coverage amount and insurance conditions. We reveal what dog owners should pay attention to in each case. 

Coverage Amount 

Whether it’s surgery insurance, health insurance, or liability insurance: The coverage amount of the insurance determines how much money policyholders can expect from their insurance in the event of a claim. Especially with veterinary costs, policies with low benefit amounts can quickly reach their limits and be exhausted. 

Insurance Conditions 

Insurance conditions are often formulated in a way that is hardly understandable for laypeople and are usually only skimmed at best. Even though it may be tempting given the many complicated clauses, dog owners should take the time to thoroughly review the policies. Often, breed-specific diseases are excluded in health and surgery insurances, or dental treatments are only included in premium policies.  

There are also differences in the conditions of liability insurance for dogs. Some policies, for example, link the insurance to the owner, so there is no coverage if the dog is walked by a third person and causes damage. 

Also interesting: These 10 Dog Breeds Have the Strongest Bite Force

More on the topic

Guide The Best Surgery Insurance for Pets: Essential Coverage

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Services and Costs What to Consider When Choosing Dog Liability Insurance

Our Recommendations for the 5 Best Dog Insurances 

The search for a suitable insurance policy is tedious but necessary. PETBOOK presents five policies from the three types of insurance that we consider recommendable. 

Flexible Coverage in Case of Surgery: Dog Surgery Insurance from Uelzener 

The dog surgery insurance from Uelzener is available in the basic, premium, and premium plus tariff models. The main differences are in the reimbursement limit. This is 1,500 euros annually for the basic tariff, 3,000 euros for the premium tariff, and unlimited for the premium plus tariff (as of April 28, 2023).

In the premium plus tariff model, dog owners can further enhance their dog’s coverage with additional modules for rehabilitation and dental care. 

Advantages: 

• Reimbursements are not dependent on the dog’s age or breed and are made independently of the veterinary fee schedule 
• Insurance coverage applies to all surgeries and includes special operations 
• Free choice of veterinarian and clinic with the option of tele-diagnosis 
• Worldwide coverage for 12 months 
• Coverage of minimally invasive surgery methods already in the basic tariff 
• Coverage of non-invasive surgery methods from the premium tariff 
• Coverage of endoscopies and foreign body removal in the premium plus tariff 
• Coverage of alternative treatments by the veterinarian 
• Coverage of emergency service fees 
• Surgeries under local anesthesia from the premium tariff model 
• Insurance coverage from the first day of life 
• Basic and premium tariffs with a 150 euro deductible can be taken out even after the 6th birthday 
• Direct billing possible 

Disadvantages: 

• Limitation of cost reimbursement: Even in the premium plus tariff, special operations are limited to 3,000 euros per year.
• Age limit for inclusion in the premium plus tariff up to the 6th birthday 

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Comprehensive Coverage: “Tierkrankenschutz Exklusiv” Pet Health Insurance from Agila 

The “Tierkrankenschutz Exklusiv” from Agila is Agila’s most comprehensive full health insurance and impresses with a very high level of benefits. Except for a few surgeries, this insurance even covers breed-specific diseases, providing financial security for owners. Depending on the age of the dog at the time of inclusion in the insurance policy and its breed, the insurance premium varies. 

Advantages: 

• Unlimited insurance sum 
• Coverage of surgery costs up to 1,100 euros annually with a benefit increase of 250 euros per year in which no surgery was performed 
• Coverage of 100 percent of costs except for surgery costs from the 5th year of life (80 percent coverage) 
• No exclusion of breed-specific diseases 
• Free choice of doctor and clinic 
• Coverage of diagnostics, preventive care, and costs for video consultations 
• Invoice review within eight hours 
• Direct billing possible 
• Reimbursement up to four times the veterinary fee schedule 
• Coverage of emergency service fees 
• Coverage of dental treatments 
• Coverage of physiotherapy costs 
• Twelve months of international coverage 
• Travel cost reimbursement up to 50 percent, maximum 2,000 euros 

Disadvantages: 

• Age limit for inclusion in the insurance policy up to the 8th birthday 

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Coverage for Mishaps: Dog Owner Liability from Adam Riese 

This insurance for dogs from Adam Riese scores with good coverage and especially with the inclusion of a best-performance guarantee in the XXL tariff. Even if the claim is not covered by the insurance policy, Adam Riese pays under the condition that another German insurance provider standardly insures the corresponding damage. The tariff is very comprehensive and also covers walking without a leash or muzzle, damages during dog school visits, and participation in tournaments, races, and shows.  

Advantages: 

• Coverage if your dog bites 
• Damage coverage if your dog is supervised by third parties 
• Damage to rental property is covered 
• Insurance can be canceled daily 
• Puppies are insured through the mother in the first year of life (even 18 months in the XXL tariff) 
• Insurance policy also available for mixed breeds through AI-supported image analysis  
• Coverage of mating and floor damages 
• Coverage of veterinary costs for injuries to your dog if the perpetrator cannot be found (only in the XXL tariff) 
• Coverage of costs for an animal boarding facility in emergencies (only in the XXL tariff) 
• Reimbursement of the new price for damaged items less than 24 months old (only in the XXL tariff) 
• Commercial use up to 22,000 euros in revenue (only in the XXL tariff) 

Disadvantages: 

• None 

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Comprehensive Coverage in Case of Illness: Dog Health Insurance from HanseMerkur 

The dog health insurance from HanseMerkur impresses with an optimal price-performance ratio. Through a flexible tariff model, dog owners can determine the insurance coverage they want for their dog. In the Premium plus tariff, even surgeries with unlimited annual maximum benefits are insured. 

The amount of the insurance premium depends on how old the dog is at the start of the insurance and its breed. Additionally, the tariffs vary in terms of the benefit variant, whether a deductible is agreed upon, and the payment method. If a vacation trip is not taken because the dog needs surgery due to an accident, HanseMerkur covers cancellation costs up to a maximum of 500 euros (as of April 28, 2023). 

Advantages: 

• Direct billing possible 
• Coverage of diagnostics and alternative treatments in unlimited amounts 
• Coverage of breed-specific diseases 
• Coverage of costs up to four times the veterinary fee schedule 
• Optional dental tariff 
• Free choice of doctor and clinic 
• Twelve months of worldwide coverage 
• No exclusion of certain dog breeds 
• No cancellation by HanseMerkur in the event of a claim 
• No ordinary cancellation by HanseMerkur after the third insurance year 
• Coverage of costs for tele-diagnosis and therapy 
• Coverage of homeopathy, acupuncture, and laser therapy 
• No time limit for follow-up treatments 
• Unlimited stay in an animal clinic 
• Capped coverage of physiotherapy, osteopathy, prosthetics, implants, orthotics, aids, and malformations 

Disadvantages: 

• Age limit is 8 years for new insurance policies 
• Deductible of 250 euros for insurance taken out after the 5th birthday in the Premium tariff and after the 3rd birthday in the Premium plus tariff 

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Extensive Coverage for Damages: Dog Liability Insurance from Allianz 

The dog liability insurance from Allianz is available in three tariff models. The Smart, Comfort, and Premium tariffs all offer good protection, with the Premium tariff covering almost no claims. The tariffs mainly differ in terms of coverage amounts in the event of a claim but also vary in terms of insurance cases. In all tariffs, the defense against unjustified claims is covered–even if the case goes to court. If the policyholder suffers a loss, Allianz covers it if the perpetrator is insolvent. 

Advantages: 

• Puppies are insured until the end of the year following their birth 
• Damages from intentional and unintentional mating are covered 
• Insurance covers not only the visit and participation in dog sports events and training but also the ownership and use of dog sleds and carriages in the private sector 
• Coverage of personal, property, and financial damages 
• Protection against rental property damages 
• Protection when walking the dog without a leash or muzzle 
• Part-time animal use is allowed in the Comfort and Premium tariffs 
• Coverage of claims in vacation rentals and on borrowed trailers 

Disadvantages: 

• Few claims are covered in the Premium tariff.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Insurance 

Some questions about dog insurance come up repeatedly.

Are Certain Insurances Mandatory? 

Health and surgery insurances for dogs are always optional, while dog liability insurance is mandatory in some federal states. As of now (April 2023), there are no regulations for dog liability insurance in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; it is voluntary. In Berlin, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia, however, all dogs must be insured for liability.  

In the other federal states, insurance is only mandatory if the dog is classified as dangerous. When this is the case is determined individually by the states. In NRW, there is also an insurance requirement for large dogs with a shoulder height of 40 centimeters or more or a weight of 20 kilograms or more. 

Are There Stricter Requirements for Fighting Dogs? 

So-called listed dogs are colloquially referred to as fighting dogs. Due to the higher risk potential, owners of listed dogs in Germany are required, with few exceptions, to take out liability insurance for their dog. In most cases, the insurance must be proven to the relevant authorities. 

Is There a Test Winner at Stiftung Warentest? 

Stiftung Warentest is an ideal resource for recommended insurances due to its objective test criteria. A test on dog insurances, including both surgery and health insurances, was published in the 09/2021 issue. Many insurances scored “very good” in terms of performance level, but the results for the test’s sample dogs are not transferable to all breeds. Therefore, a personal dog insurance comparison should still be conducted. Stiftung Warentest also examined dog liability tariffs in 2021, providing dog owners with a comprehensive decision-making aid regarding insurances.