Pet owner liability insurance

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The animal owner's liability insurance protects the animal owner against claims for damages by third parties against him, which may arise due to his animal husbandry, within the scope of the agreed coverage . The basis for claims against the pet owner is above all Section 833 of the German Civil Code , which states that a pet owner can be made liable for damage caused by his animal through no fault of his own .

The pet owner's liability insurance is particularly important for owners of larger animals (e.g. dogs or horses ), since smaller pets are included in the personal liability insurance . A pet owner's liability insurance contributes

  • Personal injury (e.g. compensation for pain and suffering, treatment costs after a bite),
  • Property damage (e.g. a dog destroys a guest's expensive shoes),
  • Financial loss as a result of personal injury or property damage.

Some insurers exclude dogs of certain breeds or charge higher premiums for them. This applies above all to so-called attack dogs , because they pose a particular risk. In addition, the insurers do not cover certain damage, for example if the owner does not comply with the muzzle or leash obligation or the owner himself is damaged. The pet owner's liability insurance not only covers direct damage, but also court and legal costs and thus already covers the areas of legal protection insurance .

In almost all federal states, owners of fighting dogs are obliged to take special protective measures, such as animal owner liability insurance. Dog insurance is divided into the following areas: health and surgery cost insurance, dog owner legal protection and dog owner liability insurance. A dog owner liability insurance is only required in some cases according to state law (state dog laws ) and only for different parts of the dog population. In 2013, compulsory insurance (for dogs of any kind) applies to the federal states of Hamburg, Berlin, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.

For these five federal states, which are subject to statutory dog ​​liability, a dog must be insured for a period of 3–6 months. In addition, many federal states have both the muzzle and leash obligation.

Special features of dog liability insurance

As with any insurance, there are special features that the policyholder should pay attention to:

  • Dog breeders usually have the option of insuring the newborn puppies with their littermother free of charge for one year.
  • The law provides for a minimum insurance sum of 1 million euros in the event of damage
  • Third-party owners should also be insured
  • If a dog injures a family member, the dog liability insurance does not have to pay compensation for pain and suffering. Because from a legal point of view, family members have the same status as the actual owner.
  • Insurance coverage should also apply in the event of unwanted coverage
  • As an option, some insurers offer the option to take out insurance for dog sled races.
  • If dogs damage rental property while traveling in hotels or elsewhere, the insurance takes over. General damage abroad can also be covered by the insurance.
  • The amount of the insurance premiums depends on the deductible and the sum insured. Since pet owners always have to pay for damage caused by their animals, particular attention should be paid to the latter.

Regulation by federal state

The subject of animal owner liability is decided at the state level. There is a basic obligation in Berlin , Brandenburg , Hamburg , Lower Saxony and Thuringia . In North Rhine-Westphalia there is only a requirement if the dog is at least 40 cm tall or weighs 20 kg. In federal states such as Baden-Württemberg , Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate , an obligation only applies if the dog has been certified to be abnormal. In Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein , insurance is compulsory according to the breed list . In Schleswig-Holstein this breed list of fighting dogs was abolished for 2016. Then a dog no longer has to wear a muzzle or be kept on a leash because of a certain breed. However, owners of suspicious or violent dogs must show a dog driver license. Dog liability insurance is only compulsory for dangerous dogs. The state parliament of Schleswig-Holstein advises all dog owners to protect themselves with the policy. The only exception is the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania , where there is no compulsory insurance.

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ^ GDV: Tierisch insured - liability insurance for dog owners
  2. ↑ Stiftung Warentest : Dog Liability: Insurance is mandatory
  3. ^ GDV: Tierisch insured - liability insurance for dog owners
  4. ^ Case law of the OLG Celle from June 11, 2012. Accessed on September 23, 2013.
  5. ↑ State dog law
  6. ↑ Administrative regulations for the State Dog Act NRW
  7. ^ GDV: Tierisch insured - liability insurance for dog owners