Compulsory animal insurance
Compulsory pet insurance will soon be introduced in Russia. Germany is known to be one of the world's leaders in this insurance market. Germans are very fond of pets. Seven million dogs and twelve million cats live in the country. And, naturally, there's the eternal debate between dog and cat lovers about which is better to keep at home: a dog or a cat?
Insurers know the answer to this question. They believe that owning a cat is more financially beneficial. A cat owner only needs standard personal injury insurance, which almost every German citizen has. This insurance will cover all expenses if their furry little troublemaker gets into trouble. Dog owners, however, must purchase mandatory civil liability insurance for damage caused by their dog. This is a kind of compulsory motor insurance for dogs.
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Compulsory insurance for dogs of potentially dangerous breeds
Liability insurance for dog owners is not available everywhere. It exists in Berlin, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, Lower Saxony, and Hamburg. In other regions, liability insurance is only available for owners of potentially dangerous dog breeds.
According to official data from the Association of German Insurers, only seventy percent of dogs in the country are insured. According to Elke Weindenbach of the German Consumer Protection Association, not all dog owners are aware of one rule.
The point is that damage a four-legged friend may cause to others cannot be covered by standard insurance. Therefore, dogs of any breed, including toy dogs, must be insured separately.
"A small dog can bite too," Weidenbach asserts. However, it's still easier to insure a miniature Spitz than a Rottweiler.
The dog's owner is always responsible for its behavior.
"Dog owners always bear so-called liability without fault," says Weidenbach. But what does that mean? It means they'll always be at fault if their Mukhtar gets into trouble. It doesn't matter how it happened: through the owner's negligence or if the animal simply got off its leash during a walk.
Let's give one example. A man accidentally tripped over a peacefully lying dog and broke his leg. The injured man is partly to blame. It would have been a good idea to watch his step. But the law is unforgiving and harsh. The owner should have supervised the dog and removed it from the area where people were walking. Now the careless owner will have to compensate the injured man for medical expenses, as well as certain moral and material damages.
Cost of compulsory dog insurance
A dog owner should have a three million euro insurance policy for their pet. This amount covers all potential risks. The annual payment for so-called compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (OSAGO) for dogs is approximately 80 euros.
Insurance is a great help for dog owners even when they're not intentionally violating pet regulations. For example, they might fail to notice a sign prohibiting off-leash walking. Coverage for such risks is often detailed in the fine print of dog insurance policies, and the insurance company representative should be sure to inform the client of these perks.
We select advantageous offers
Experts advise dog owners to insure their pets for a short period, as the best deals are valid for no more than a year. After acquiring a puppy, it's important to insure it as soon as possible.
It's best to choose insurance without a deductible. A deductible is the amount the dog owner must compensate the injured party for damage caused by their pet.
A breeder can insure a puppy for three months before the new owner re-insures the puppy in their own name. This gives the new owner time to choose a suitable option.
Some people consider pet insurance unnecessary, as finding good insurance takes time and effort on the part of owners. However, insurance can financially cover all risks associated with pet ownership. And dog lovers will take the upbringing and training of their faithful companions more seriously.
Translation by O. V. Ryndina
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