Dog liability is not compulsory everywhere: cover yourself in all countriesMan's best friend lives out his instincts even after attending dog school. In case of collision with other dogs. People can suffer damages. Although dog liability is not mandatory everywhere, this dog liability insurance can be a good choice for any dog.
– Each state has its own state dog law. – In the national dog laws are among other things regulations about leash obligation and compulsory insurance standardized. – A dog may be subject to liability insurance because of its breed or because of its dangerousness.
How to proceed
– Take a look at your state dog law before you buy your new dog. – Think about the conclusion of a dog liability even without legal obligation. – Compare all offers before signing your dog liability insurance for optimal benefits.
Dog liability insurance as a supplement to private insurance coverage
Most people use personal liability insurance to protect themselves from damage they might unintentionally cause to other people and their property. Since pets can also cause damage despite supervision by their owners, a pet owner liability insurance is a sensible decision. Especially for dogs, insurance companies offer special dog liability insurances, which are perfectly adapted to the unpredictable behavior of the dear four-legged friends.
Depending on the Need for security owners of small and large dogs can opt for basic coverage or for more extensive insurance coverage. To Basic coverage a modern dog liability insurance includes the coverage of
Depending on the insurance company and tariff, dog owners can also protect themselves from the high cost of special Rental property damage, unintentional acts of coverage and protect against numerous other risks.
Tip: Find the right dog liability for your dog
If you want to cover yourself with dog liability insurance for your dog, then first consider what damage your dog can cause. The smaller the dog, the lower the risk of damage.
Can dog liability be compulsory?
Unlike personal liability insurance, which is not compulsory, dog owner liability insurance can be a requirement for legally owning a dog. The Animal law is a matter for the federal states in Germany, so that each federal state is allowed to ie its own regulations concerning the ownership of dogs.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is the only federal state in which the conclusion of a dog owner liability insurance is not a condition for keeping a dog. Therefore, in this state, the owners of so-called dangerous dog breeds such as American Staffordshire Terrier or Bull Terrier do not have to take out dog liability insurance.
Is dog liability included in private liability insurance?
Included in the scope of benefits of a private liability insurance are numerous damages such as water damage to neighbors due to a burst inlet hose of the washing machine. Even damage caused by small animals such as hamsters, guinea pigs and cats are covered by the scope of private liability insurance. Dogs however belong in principle not included in the small animals, for whose caused damage the private liability insurance comes up.
Similar to the Additional options to private liability "glass" for glass breakage such as ceramic hobs as well as expensive crystal chandeliers and "bicycle" for the theft of all bicycles in the family, dog damage is rated as a high risk factor. The unpredictability of the dog can lead to expensive damages, so that the dog liability can basically not be part of the private liability insurance.
Note: Take out pet health insurance
A pet health insurance is not mandatory. Nevertheless, you should decide for yourself whether a pet health insurance makes sense for you and your pet. This insurance provides coverage for costs incurred during veterinary examinations and treatments. What is the difference between pet owner liability insurance. Dog liability insurance?According to § 833 BGB the animal owner is liable for the damage caused by his animal. An exception is made by law for pets which the pet owner needs for his profession, his maintenance or his gainful employment. For example, other regulations apply to a shepherd who carefully supervises his herding dog on the pasture. There is no liability for compensation in the event of a dog bite by a herding dog.
For owners of horses, dogs and cats, it may make sense to take out a general pet owner's liability policy. With only one policy insure pet owners all their animals, which can cause personal injury, property damage or financial loss. In addition, foals born to an insured mare are also covered from the first second of birth.
Nevertheless, for dog owners a pure dog liability insurance can be the better alternative. First and foremost, dog owner liability insurance is for a single dog more favorable than an animal liability insurance for several animals. When calculating the cost of pet liability, the automatic coverage for small animals in personal liability insurance also comes into play.
Coverage of dog liability
Depending on the insurance company, coverage can range from five to 30 million. The following damages will be paid from this coverage amount in the event of an emergency:
Personal injury claims include injuries from dog bites that require medical treatment. Cosmetic surgery for scarring as well as claims for pain and suffering can be expensive. Should even several persons become the case of care, even 30 million can be a smaller sum.
What are typical damages and cases?
To the typical property damage, that dogs can cause, include not only the carpet on the carpet pole spoiled by bites, but also the killed house rabbit that fell victim to the hunting instinct. Bitten pants of letter carriers and dented bicycle tires after a fall by a jumping dog round up the range of possible property damages, which are borne by the dog liability insurance.
A Property damage, included in the scope of benefits of dog liability, the loss of earnings of a person hospitalized after a dog bite may be. Corridor damage as well as rescue costs for the dog injured even after a fight with another animal are also among the standard cases covered by a dog liability policy.
If you already know before moving in your new four-legged friend that friends, neighbors and relatives will also be out and about with him from time to time, then the service component "Herding by third parties" an important aspect for the selection of the suitable dog liability insurance. Finally, coverage against Loss of claim by the uninsured opposing dog owner protect you from financial burdens.
When does a dog owner liability policy deny coverage to?
As with all insurance policies, dog liability also refuses to cover damages that are intentionally are caused. In addition also Own damage of the dog owner as well as of persons living in the same household as the dog may be excluded from the scope of the insurance cover. However, damage caused by your dog due to Disregard of the leash or muzzle obligation not considered to be caused intentionally, so that your insurance company takes over the settlement of claims. Depending on the state's dog laws, dog owners may need, in addition to a certificate of expertise-. Reliability proof for their dog because of its breed or because of its individual dangerousness a dog liability insurance. The insurance companies have Policies tailored to these laws, so that you can usually find a perfectly suitable dog liability for your dog.
Must insure a dog for a vacation in a state with mandatory dog liability coverage?
Dog owners who take their dogs with them on trips across the country usually find out about the following before they start their trip legal requirements such as leash and muzzle requirements at the destination. Therefore, it also makes sense to take a look at the state dog law of the state to which the trip is to go. Dog liability insurance can save a lot of trouble in case of emergency.
Does the dog liability insurance also apply abroad?
Since most dog owners do not want to do without their faithful friend even when traveling abroad, many insurance companies also offer as part of their dog liability insurance the Protection against damage abroad to. Before starting a trip, dog owners should ask their insurance company about the current scope of benefits so that they can update their policy for the EU and the rest of the world, if necessary.
Special regulations for therapy dogs and dog breeders
For dogs used as therapy dogs by speech therapists and other therapists, dog liability insurance is usually sufficient, so they do not need to be included in the scope of business liability insurance. Even a therapy dog that you want to buy for a member of your family only needs a simple dog liability policy.
Depending on Insurance need as a therapist, you can also opt for a commercial dog liability policy with a high coverage amount, for which you pay the premiums per dog. Breeders should opt not only for dog liability insurance, which includes newborn puppies, but also for kennel liability because of the increased risk of breeding.
Tip: Take a look at all dog liability clauses
In part, the insurance coverage of a dog liability also includes the damage caused by commercially used dogs. But some insurances exclude this protection. A lawyer can check the scope of benefits.
Can private individuals also require the presentation of the policy for dog liability insurance?
Normally, a landlord may not require the tenant to obtain dog liability insurance for a dog living in the rental property. However, for possible damage caused by the dog to the rented property, the dog owner must have come up. If the landlord allows the tenant to use the backyard behind the house for the dog, then the landlord is allowed to insist on proof that a dog liability insurance policy has been purchased.
According to § 535 BGB, the use of the garden is not part of the contractually agreed use of the rental property, so the landlord may also expect consideration for this additional option. Otherwise, the principle applies that only Countries are allowed to demand proof of dog liability with the corresponding state dog law. But also many dog schools and pet hotels require a dog liability insurance for a contract conclusion.
Sense of a dog liability insurance
In view of the great damage that even a small dog running into the street can cause, it is definitely worth taking out a dog liability insurance policy. You should take time to compare the different dog liability insurance policies offered on the market before buying your new dog. The more Performance features the insurance offers you, the more carefree you can enjoy your time with dog.
you can also take out a dog owner's liability insurance at a later date?
The insurance market is flexible. That is why in some insurance sectors there is already the model of the retroactive insurance. For a dog owner liability insurance is currently in Germany still no retroactive conclusion possible. Damages that occurred before signing the insurance contract must be paid by the dog owner self regulated are.
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