Dog liability insurance at the dog boarding: Who pays for damages?
16 Jun 2025
8
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A holiday is coming up, but what happens if your dog causes damage at the dog boarding facility? The question of liability is a mystery for many dog owners. We explain when your dog liability insurance covers incidents at the boarding facility and what you need to consider.
The topic in brief and concise terms
As a dog owner, you are generally liable for any damages your dog causes in a dog boarding facility (§ 833 BGB). Your dog liability insurance is crucial here.
Dog liability insurance generally covers costs for property damage, personal injury, and damage to animals in boarding, with a high coverage amount (at least 3-5 million euros) being advisable.
The dog boarding facility can also be held liable in case of a breach of duty (§ 834 BGB); however, the owner's liability insurance usually remains primarily responsible.
Liability clarified: Principles for damages in the dog boarding facility
As a dog owner, you are subject to the so-called strict liability under § 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB). This means you are liable for any damage your dog causes, regardless of personal fault. This liability remains even when your dog is in the care of a boarding kennel. A well-known ruling by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH, Az.: VI ZR 372/13) confirmed this: Even if a dog injures a professional caregiver in a kennel, the owner remains liable. Therefore, dog liability insurance is your most important shield. Without such coverage, you would have to cover personal injury, property damage, and financial losses caused by your dog with your private assets, which can quickly amount to costs of several thousand euros. The dog liability insurance from nextsure provides comprehensive protection here. The question, must a dog be insured, answers itself considering the potential risks. It is crucial to understand that the responsibility is not simply handed over at the door of the kennel.
Scope of dog liability insurance: What is covered in the dog boarding facility?
A good dog liability insurance typically covers a variety of damages that your dog may cause while staying at a kennel. These include three main categories. Firstly: property damage, for example, if your dog damages the kennel's furnishings such as furniture, dog crates, or fences. Secondly: personal injury, if your dog injures a member of the staff or another person by biting, jumping, or knocking over; here, the insurance covers medical costs, compensation for pain and suffering, and possible loss of earnings. Thirdly: damage to other animals, if your dog injures another guest dog or another animal in the kennel, vet costs or treatment expenses are covered. It is important to have a sufficiently high coverage sum, with experts recommending at least three to five million euros. However, there are also situations when the dog liability insurance does not pay, for instance, in cases of deliberately caused damage. You should always refer to your contract documents for the exact conditions of what your dog liability insurance in the kennel covers.
Case Studies: Typical Damage Scenarios and Their Regulation
Imagine your dog "Bello" is boarded at a kennel for ten days. Despite the good supervision, Bello chews the cushion of an expensive chair in the common room of the kennel during an unobserved moment – a damage worth around 500 euros. In this case, your dog's liability insurance would cover the cost of repairing or replacing the chair, subject to any agreed deductible. Another example: During a play session in the kennel's run, a scuffle breaks out, and your dog injures another dog. The veterinary costs for treating the injured animal amount to 350 euros. Again, your dog's liability insurance would cover this. The documentation of the damage by the kennel, for instance through photos and a written account of the incident, is very helpful for a quick settlement. Report the damage to your insurance immediately. In some cases, health insurance for dogs can also be relevant for their own injuries, but not for third-party damages. The pet health insurance is a separate coverage.
Expert Depth: Legal Foundations and the Role of the Kennel
The primary liability of the dog owner is based on § 833 sentence 1 of the German Civil Code (BGB) (animal keeper liability). This provision establishes a liability based on danger, which does not depend on the fault of the keeper. The Federal Court of Justice clarified in its judgement of 25 March 2014 (Ref: VI ZR 372/13) that this liability also applies if the dog is housed in a commercial boarding kennel and causes damage there, for example by biting an attendant. The commercial nature of the kennel and the fact that the care is provided for a fee do not relieve the owner of their responsibility. However, the kennel itself may also be liable. According to § 834 BGB (liability of the keeper), the person who contractually assumes supervision of an animal (i.e., the kennel) can be held liable for damages if they violate their duty of supervision. This would be the case with gross negligence, for instance if dogs are insufficiently supervised, resulting in damage. In practice, it is often examined whether there is contributory negligence on the part of the injured party or the kennel, which can influence the liability ratio. Many kennels protect themselves with business liability insurance, which covers their own mistakes. Nevertheless, it is advisable for dog owners to pay attention to default coverage in the animal keeper liability insurance in case the perpetrator cannot pay. The dog health insurance, on the other hand, covers the medical care of the owner's own dog.
Important aspects when choosing a kennel and insurance are:
Find out in advance whether the kennel has its own business liability insurance and what its coverage includes.
Clarify whether your dog liability insurance explicitly includes the so-called third-party keeper risk, especially for non-commercial care.
Inform the kennel and your insurance about any known behavioural issues of your dog to prevent future problems.
Ensure that your dog liability insurance has a sufficiently high coverage amount – a minimum of three to five million euros is recommended.
Keep all contract documents and communications carefully.
These points help create clarity in the event of damage and facilitate handling.
Recommendations: Preparation and Conduct in the Event of Damage
Good preparation can prevent many problems. Before you leave your dog at a boarding facility, there are a few points to consider. Check your insurance coverage: Ensure your dog liability insurance covers damages during external care at a boarding facility, and that the sum insured is adequate – often, ten million euros or more is advisable. Honestly inform the boarding facility about the peculiarities of your dog, such as anxiety or past aggression; this helps the facility minimise risks. Clarify the emergency procedures of the facility and provide your contact details as well as those of your vet. Should damage occur despite all precautions, swift and correct action is required. Report any damage immediately to your dog liability insurance and the boarding facility. Document the incident as detailed as possible with photos, witness statements, and notes on the occurrence. Fill out claims forms truthfully and completely. Transparent communication with all parties involved, namely the facility, insurance, and potentially those affected, is essential for smooth processing. Remember that a private liability insurance usually does not cover animal damages; specific dog liability insurance is required for this. The question of why one needs liability insurance is especially relevant when living with animals.
Checklist for the event of damage:
Stay calm and secure the situation to prevent further damage.
Provide first aid if people or animals are injured and, if necessary, call a doctor or vet.
Immediately report the damage to the management of the boarding facility.
Promptly report the damage to your dog liability insurance (often within one week).
Record all details of the incident in writing: What happened, when, where, how? Who was involved?
Take photos of the damage and surroundings.
Note the contact details of any witnesses.
Do not admit fault or make payments before speaking with your insurance.
These steps will help you stay on top of things and support the claims process.
Our expert tip: Arrange a conversation with the dog boarding facility
Our expert tip: Before the first boarding, have a thorough conversation with the operators of the dog boarding facility. Not only clarify questions about care and facilities, but also openly discuss the topic of insurance and liability. Ask whether the facility has its own business liability insurance and what damages it covers. Have the insurance terms for your own dog liability regarding external care explained, ideally by your insurance advisor at nextsure. Transparent communication beforehand builds trust and can prevent misunderstandings and long-drawn disputes in case of an emergency. A well-informed dog owner can go on holiday more relaxed, knowing that precautions are in place in case of an emergency. Remember that a good dog boarding facility is also interested in clear circumstances and will welcome your questions. This ensures that your four-legged friend is not only lovingly but also safely cared for.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of pet owner liability insurance.
Consumer Centre provides information about pet liability insurance and its significance.
Gesetze im Internet provides the full text of § 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB) regarding pet owner liability.
Deubner Recht offers a professional article on the topic of pet owner liability and relevant legal aspects.
Tier im Recht examines legal issues in animal welfare law, particularly in the context of boarding animals.
Deutscher Tierschutzbund provides general information and recommendations on dog ownership.
Gesetze im Internet contains the official Animal Protection Dog Ordinance.
FAQ
Does my dog liability insurance cover damages caused by my dog in a foreign dog boarding facility?
Many dog liability insurances also offer coverage abroad, often with time limits. Check the exact terms of your policy or ask your insurer whether the coverage also applies to dog boarding kennels abroad and for which countries.
What happens if the dog boarding service acts with gross negligence and my dog causes damage as a result?
If the damage was caused by gross negligence on the part of the dog boarding facility (e.g. inadequate supervision), the facility's liability insurance might cover the damage or be partially liable. Your dog's liability insurance might seek recourse.
Do I have to pay a higher premium for my dog liability insurance if my dog often stays in kennels?
Normally not. The regular premium for dog liability insurance usually includes coverage for stays in dog kennels. However, it's important to be honest if your dog is considered dangerous, as this can affect the premium.
What happens if my dog becomes ill or injures itself while staying at the boarding facility?
The dog liability insurance covers damage caused by your dog to third parties. For illnesses or self-inflicted injuries of your own dog, a <a href="/solutions/subsolutions/hunde-krankenversicherung">dog health insurance</a> or dog surgery insurance is responsible, not the liability insurance.
Is there a deductible for damages at the dog boarding facility?
That depends on your individual dog liability insurance policy. Many plans include a deductible, which can vary in amount (e.g., 100 or 250 euros per claim). You would need to cover this yourself in the event of a claim.
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