We all love our dogs and only want the best for them. This can include health insurance, for example. They protect our dear four-legged friends (and our wallet) from misfortune. But the world of insurance can be overwhelming. Here's a quick guide to help you choose your dog health insurance!
Does my dog need insurance?
Personal financial situation
Having a dog isn't the most expensive thing in the world, but it's not exactly cheap either. If you own a dog, you must expect to pay the dog tax, which is around €100-150 per year. You might also want to think about taking out liability insurance for your dog, since unlike cats, it isn't included in normal liability insurance. In addition, canine surgeries can be extremely expensive, ranging from €400 to €1,500 and even €10,000 in severe cases. If you have a savings account for your pet, you might be able to cover a surgery or two. However, if your dog needs multiple surgeries, it could be difficult for some.
Old
Most insurance companies will not accept dogs older than eight years of age as surgery on a dog at that age would cost a lot of money. There are a few insurance companies that also accept dogs over this age limit, but be aware that the insurance can cost you up to €1,000 per year without the insurance itself doing much.
race
French bulldogs or pugs are prone to a syndrome called "brachycephaly," which describes a shorter skull as typical of the species. This leads to very narrow airways and it can make it difficult for your dog to breathe properly, leading to chronic breathing problems. Some dogs will need surgery from a young age, but only if the trait is very pronounced. Find out beforehand about breed-specific diseases.
Types of pet health insurance and what to look for
When deciding on health insurance, it is important that you carefully examine the different offers. Make sure you know what is and is not included in your plan and what exactly the insurance company will cover.
*(Note that most insurance companies allow a waiting period of about a month before the insurance covers the costs)
There are two main types of insurance in Germany:
On the one hand, full protection insurance, which usually covers most or even all of the costs for medical care. If you are considering full protection insurance, you should pay attention to the following details:
*Vet Fee Schedule.
The second type is regular surgery insurance. This one is less complicated and has fewer covers. That's why it's also a lot cheaper. However, it only covers the cost of one operation.
Costs
The costs vary between the different providers and age groups. The price increases with the age of your dog. For example, if you buy insurance for your one-year-old dog, you will pay around €23, while the same insurance for your seven-year-old dog can cost €35.
You should budget between €20 and €70 per month for fully comprehensive insurance. The more you pay for insurance, the less you pay for the treatment or surgery (or if you have good insurance, you might pay nothing at all except for the monthly fee).
Surgery insurance is more affordable and typically costs between €8 and €20.
Below is a quick overview of the four largest dog health insurance companies in Germany:
Regardless of whether you decide to insure your dog or not, you should always have a contingency plan in place for your pet(s) in case something happens to them. If you are unsure or overwhelmed with all the offers that are out there, we recommend visiting a website where you can compare different insurance companies (e.g. check24.com for Germany).
And finally, regular check-ups on your pet can help prevent illnesses at an early stage. Until next time, stay happy and healthy!
