Pets in Germany + Liability & Health Insurance [2024]

Want to live in Germany with a pet? Here is the complete guide to insure and save yourself from losses.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance saves you from paying any financial damages to any other person caused by your pet even if you were not present. These damages are paid by the insurance provider after careful inspection. Private liability insurance does not cover such benefits so get pet liability insurance. Only cats and small animals are covered under private liability insurance.

Liability Insurance Example

While in a street, your pet is tired and lays down due to which a cyclist falls who can sue you in court to demand the amount for injury or treatment. You are legally bound to pay for that loss to the cyclist so a pet liability insurance will benefit you as you would not pay the amount from your pocket.

Horse Liability Insurance

Horse liability insurance is necessary due to the size, strength, and power of the horse. It costs between 100 and 150 Euros per annum. Horse liability insurance does not cover damages to the owner’s personal property.

Coverage of Pet Liability Insurance

It covers;

• Financial loss caused by pet
• Repair and replacement cost if your pet broke something 
• Medical treatment costs in case of personal injury
• Building, quarter, or living area repairs
• Legal expenses to fight an unjustified court case or claim
• Foreign visits
• Damages during self-defense
• Bad debts protection

You can demand additional benefits if your insurance provider offers; - Damages due to unwanted pregnancy.
- Damages for a rental property
- Damages in a rental car due to pet.
- Puppies’ protection for almost six or twelve months
- Medical surgeries

What’s Not Covered?

Liability insurance does not cover;

• Specific breed
• Intentional damages
• Wear or tear
• Electric appliance damage
• Glass damage.

States Where Liability Insurance is a Must by Law

You are legally liable to have liability insurance for your pet if you are in Berlin, Lower Saxony, Schleswig Holstein, Thuringia, Saxony Anhalt, or Hamburg. These states have different requirements and the minimum amount for personal or property damage caused by your pet. Carefully check your policy to know complete coverage with your chosen plan. The below table shows the minimum amount for all six states.

Health Insurance

Pets are just like you and may get sick or injured, so they also need health insurance to visit a doctor either for regular checkup (random visit, illness, vaccine) or in an emergency situation. Health insurance will cover the bills of huge amounts that you will pay from your salary if you do not have an insurance policy.

Medical Insurance Kinds

Medical insurance include health insurance, surgery insurance, or both.

Coverage in Health Insurance

Health insurance covers medical treatment, checkups, vaccination costs, surgery, castration, diagnostics, medicines, and stay in the animal hospital.

Accidents Ratio in Germany

Accidents may occur even with complete care and training. According to the study, the liability insurance provider pays more than 80.000 Euros annually. There are almost 100 accidents every year which cost 50.000 Euros. The cost of an individual claim is usually 1.000 Euros.

Best Pet Insurances in Germany

Here are the best pet insurances in Germany;

Conclusion

Whenever you plan to get an insurance policy, compare different plans and read the terms and conditions to see if it is suitable for you or not. Do the thorough research to make a final decision regarding your insurance plan.