A third of all horse and dog owners in Germany still do not have pet owner liability insurance - carelessly so, as a glance at the legal code shows: as the owner, you are liable for all damage caused by your animal - up to a period of thirty years for personal injury, property damage and financial loss.

Pet owner liability insurance is highly recommended for owners of larger animals, because the treatment costs for a dog bite, for example, or a traffic accident caused by a runaway horse can be really expensive. In such cases, you as the animal owner are always liable for damages - regardless of whether you can be proven to be at fault.

The pet owner's liability policy compensates for property damage, as well as personal injury, which is usually much more expensive, and financial losses, such as loss of earnings, caused to third parties by your pet - up to the amount of the agreed sum insured.

You can insure dogs, horses, ponies, mules, donkeys or cattle. By the way: many insurers reduce the premium for each additional animal compared to an individual policy.

Horse owners who are organised in associations can benefit from group insurance. Even those who have another insurance policy with the same company often get a discount.

Insurance cover also when others are out with your dog
Dog owner liability insurance also covers you if the insured animal is travelling with someone other than the dog owner - regardless of whether the injured party is a human or another animal.

However, the insurance does not pay for damage caused by the pet owner's own pet, nor does it pay for damage caused intentionally. As a rule, insurance cover is valid worldwide - in Europe for an unlimited period of time and worldwide usually for one year.

Damage caused by tame small animals such as cats, birds or rabbits is protected in your personal liability insurance - but damage caused by small animals is rare.

Much more often, personal injury or property damage is caused by larger animals. It is therefore not without reason that dogs, horses, cattle, wild animals and those kept for commercial or agricultural purposes are excluded from the owner's personal liability.

Animal accidents can be expensive
A separate animal owner's liability insurance is highly recommended for owners of larger animals and in some cases even required by law, because the treatment costs for a dog bite, for example, or a traffic accident caused by a runaway horse can be quite expensive. In some federal states, such as Berlin, Hamburg and Saxony-Anhalt, dog owner's liability insurance is mandatory; in other federal states, insurance is only compulsory for dog breeds that are classified as dangerous.

As an animal owner, you are always liable for damages within the scope of strict liability - regardless of whether you can be proven to be at fault or not.

The basic benefits of pet owner liability are comparable for all providers - compensation is provided for personal injury and property damage to third parties up to the amount of the agreed sum insured.

However, some insurers also provide additional benefits. Depending on the tariff, puppies of the insured dog can be covered free of charge up to the age of 6 months. Participation in and training for dog sled races are also included in the insurance cover, depending on the provider.

Foals can also be insured
In the horse owners' insurance, comprehensive tariffs also cover the foals of the insured horse up to the age of 12 months. Participation in horse races and tournaments including training can also be included in the insurance cover. 

The same applies to private carriage rides including occasional unpaid passenger transport. However, anyone who regularly carries out carriage rides for a fee requires special commercial liability cover.