• As a pet owner, you are liable for damages caused by your pet. A pet liability insurance covers the costs of damage regulation.

• The scope of coverage in pet liability insurance depends significantly on the provider and the selected plan.

• There are specific insurance policies for dogs and horses, while cats are generally covered by private liability insurance.

With a pet liability insurance, you protect yourself from all possible everyday risks that could lead to damage. For example, if your dog bites another dog or your horse escapes from the pasture. Despite the best care and training, it is not impossible for your pet to cause damage. Particularly in the case of personal injuries or property damage, compensation claims can be significantly high. Liability insurance covers the financial consequences of damages and defends against unjustified third-party claims.

According to the law: "If an animal causes the death of a person or injures the body or health of a person, or damages property, the person who owns the animal is required to compensate the injured party for the damage incurred." – German Civil Code (BGB), § 833 Liability of the Animal Owner.

The private liability insurance only covers damages caused by small pets. It is especially advisable for dog and horse owners to consider pet owner liability insurance. In some regions in Germany, insurance coverage is even legally required. 

The primary purpose of pet owner liability insurance is to cover damages to third-party property or to individuals.

A pet liability insurance covers you as a dog owner and other individuals who walk or care for your dog during vacations.

Dog liability insurance is currently mandatory in six federal states:

• Berlin
• Hamburg
• Lower Saxony
• Saxony-Anhalt
• Schleswig-Holstein
• Thuringia

Apart from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the other nine federal states require dog liability insurance for specific dog breeds.

A liability insurance for riding and draft animals is not legally mandatory. However, many horse owners still choose to have comprehensive coverage. Horses and ponies are flight animals and often have a higher potential for causing damage. 

The appropriate policy for your animal depends on several factors. For example, owners of stallions should ensure that breeding-related damages are included.
 
Another important factor is the insurance or coverage amount, which should be sufficiently high.

Cats are considered small pets and are covered by the private liability insurance of their owner. As a result, a specific pet liability insurance for cats is not typically necessary.

A dog liability insurance is not very expensive. For good coverage, including property damage, premiums typically range from about 40 to 140 euros per year, depending on the extent of coverage. A horse liability insurance is more expensive, with premiums ranging from approximately 70 to 240 euros for a riding horse.

The deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket in the event of a claim. For most providers, the deductible in case of a damage claim ranges from 100 to 300 euros. The higher the chosen deductible, the lower the premium for your insurance.

A liability insurance policy is valid from the first day of coverage without any waiting period. For pet owners, it is advisable to take out insurance as soon as you acquire the animal. The coverage is especially worthwhile if your four-legged companion spends time outside your property, whether during walks or while riding.