Do I Need Dog Liability Insurance?
Dog liability insurance in Germany — when it's required and what it covers
The Most Important Insurance for Dog Parents
Max is running happily through the park — and suddenly runs into a cyclist's spokes. The cyclist falls, breaks their arm, and their expensive bike is wrecked. Who pays? You — as the dog's keeper.
Dog liability insurance is not just sensible for many dog parents in Germany — it's legally required. And even where it isn't required, it protects against financial risks that can quickly become existence-threatening.
Where Is Dog Liability Insurance Legally Required?
Germany is a patchwork of state-level rules. Dog liability insurance is legally required in the following states: Berlin, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia, and others.
In other states there's no general requirement, but insurance can be mandatory for certain breeds — so-called 'Listenhunde' or 'Kampfhunde' (restricted or so-called 'fighting' breeds). Be sure to check the rules in your own state.
Even where it isn't required: taking out dog liability insurance is one of the smartest financial decisions a dog keeper can make.
What Does Dog Liability Insurance Cover?
Dog liability insurance covers costs arising from damage your dog causes to third parties. That falls into three categories:
Personal injury: Luna bites a passer-by. Medical costs, pain and suffering compensation, lost income, possible damage claims — liability insurance covers all of that. Personal injury claims can quickly reach five or six figures.
Property damage: Biscuit jumps on the neighbour's parked car and leaves scratches. The repair is covered by liability insurance.
Financial loss: follow-on costs from property or personal injury damage — for example, if someone can't work because of an injury your dog caused.
What's not covered: damage you cause to yourself or to people in your own household.
Dog Liability Insurance at Lassie
Lassie offers dog liability insurance that can be combined with health insurance for your dog. That means everything in one app, one contract, one point of contact — making it easier to manage and ensuring you're never left unprotected.
If you're not sure whether you're required to have dog liability insurance in your state: you can quickly ask through the Lassie app. Don't wait until the first claim happens.
