Dog liability insurance at the dog boarding kennel: Who pays for damages?
16.06.25
7
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
A holiday is coming up, but what happens if your dog causes damage at the dog boarding kennel? For many dog owners, the question of liability is a complete mystery. We explain when your dog liability insurance applies at the boarding kennel and what you need to bear in mind.
The topic in brief and concise terms
As a dog owner, you are generally liable for damage caused by your dog 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 at the boarding kennel; a high level of cover (at least €3–5 million) is advisable.
The dog boarding facility can also be liable in the event of a breach of duty (§ 834 BGB); nevertheless, the pet owner’s liability insurance is usually primarily responsible.
Liability clarified: principles for damage at the dog boarding kennel
As a dog owner, under Section 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB), you are subject to what is known as strict liability. This means you are liable for damage caused by your dog, regardless of any fault of your own. This liability continues even when your dog is in the care of a boarding kennel. A well-known ruling by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH, case no. VI ZR 372/13) confirmed this: even if a dog injures a professional carer in a kennel, the owner remains liable. Dog liability insurance is therefore your most important safeguard. Without such cover, you would have to pay for personal injury, property damage and financial losses caused by your dog from your private assets, which can quickly lead to costs of several thousand euros. The dog owner's liability insurance from nextsure provides comprehensive protection in this regard. The question of whether a dog must be insured answers itself when you consider the potential risks. It is crucial to understand that responsibility cannot simply be handed over at the kennel door.
Dog liability insurance cover: What is covered at the dog boarding kennel?
A good dog liability insurance policy typically covers a wide range of damage that your dog may cause during its stay at a boarding kennel. This includes three main categories. First: property damage, for example if your dog damages the boarding kennel’s furnishings, such as furniture, dog crates or fences. Second: personal injury, if your dog injures a member of staff at the boarding kennel or another person by biting, jumping up at them or knocking them over; in this case, the insurance covers medical costs, compensation for pain and suffering, and any loss of earnings. Third: damage to other animals, if your dog injures another guest dog or another animal in the boarding kennel, veterinary costs or treatment costs are covered. It is important to have a sufficiently high sum insured; experts recommend at least three to five million euros. However, there are also situations when dog liability insurance does not pay, for example in the case of damage caused intentionally. You should always refer to your policy documents for the exact conditions under which your dog liability insurance at the boarding kennel provides cover.
Case studies: Typical claims scenarios and their handling
Imagine your dog “Bello” is staying at a boarding kennel for ten days. Despite good supervision, Bello gnaws the upholstery of an expensive armchair in the kennel’s lounge area in an unobserved moment – property damage of around 500 euros. In this case, your dog liability insurance would cover the cost of repairing or replacing the armchair, less any agreed excess. Another example: while playing together in the kennel’s exercise area, a scuffle breaks out in which your dog injures another dog. The veterinary costs for treating the injured animal amount to 350 euros. Here too, your dog liability insurance steps in. Documentation of the damage by the boarding kennel, for example through photos and a written account of what happened, is very helpful for a swift settlement. Report the damage to your insurer without delay. In some cases, dog health insurance may also be relevant for your own injuries, but not for damage to third parties. Animal health insurance is separate cover.
Expert Depth: Legal Foundations and the Role of the Dog Boarding Kennel
The primary liability of a dog owner is based on section 833 sentence 1 of the German Civil Code (liability of animal keepers). This provision establishes strict liability that does not depend on fault on the part of the owner. The Federal Court of Justice clarified in its judgment of 25 March 2014 (case no. VI ZR 372/13) that this liability also applies when the dog is boarded in a commercial dog boarding facility and causes damage there, for example by biting a carer. The boarding facility’s commercial activity and the fact that care is provided for a fee do not relieve the owner of responsibility. However, the dog boarding facility itself may also be liable. Under section 834 of the German Civil Code (liability of the person supervising the animal), the person who contractually assumes supervision of an animal (i.e. the dog boarding facility) may be responsible for damage if they breach their duty of supervision. This would be the case in the event of gross negligence, for example if dogs are not adequately supervised and damage results. In practice, it is often examined whether the injured party or the boarding facility contributed to the fault, which can affect the apportionment of liability. Many dog boarding facilities in turn cover themselves with business liability insurance, which stands in for their own mistakes. For dog owners, it is nevertheless advisable to look for cover for unpaid claims in animal owner liability insurance if the person causing the damage cannot pay. The dog health insurance, by contrast, covers the medical treatment of the owner’s own dog.
Important aspects when choosing the dog boarding facility and insurance are:
Check in advance whether the dog boarding facility has its own business liability insurance and what scope of cover it provides.
Clarify whether your dog liability insurance explicitly includes the so-called third-party carer risk, especially in the case of non-commercial care.
Inform the boarding facility and your insurer about any known behavioural issues your dog has to prevent later problems.
Make sure your dog liability insurance has a sufficiently high sum insured – at least three to five million euros is recommended.
Keep all contractual documents and communications carefully.
These points help to create clarity in the event of a claim and make the claims handling easier.
Recommended actions: Preparation and behaviour in the event of a loss
Good preparation can prevent many problems. Before placing your dog in a boarding kennel, there are a few points you should bear in mind. Check your insurance cover: make sure your dog liability insurance covers damage while your dog is being cared for by a third party in a boarding kennel, and that the sum insured is sufficient – often ten million euros or more is advisable. Be honest with the kennel about any quirks your dog may have, such as anxiety or previous aggression; this helps the kennel minimise risks. Clarify the kennel’s emergency procedures and leave your contact details, as well as those of your vet. If damage occurs despite all precautions, swift and correct action is required. Report any damage immediately to your dog liability insurer and the boarding kennel. Document the incident in as much detail as possible with photos, witness statements and notes on what happened. Complete all claim forms truthfully and in full. Transparent communication with everyone involved, namely the kennel, the insurer and, where applicable, the injured party, is essential for a smooth settlement. Bear in mind that a private liability insurance policy generally does not cover damage caused by animals; this is covered by special dog liability insurance. The question of what liability insurance is needed for is particularly relevant when living with animals.
Checklist for a claim:
Stay calm and secure the situation to prevent further damage.
Provide first aid if people or animals have been injured, and call a doctor or vet if necessary.
Report the damage immediately to the management of the dog boarding kennel.
Report the damage to your dog liability insurer without delay (often within one week).
Record all details of the incident in writing: what happened, when, where and how? Who was involved?
Take photos of the damage and the surrounding area.
Note down the contact details of any witnesses.
Do not admit liability or make any payments before you have spoken to your insurer.
These steps help you keep track of everything and support the claims settlement process.
Our expert tip: Talk to the dog boarding kennel
Our expert tip: Have a detailed conversation with the operators of the dog boarding facility before the first stay. Clarify not only questions about care and the premises, but also speak openly about insurance and liability. Ask whether the boarding facility has its own public liability insurance and which damages it covers. Have the terms and conditions of your own dog liability insurance regarding care by third parties explained to you, ideally by your insurance adviser at nextsure. Transparent communication upfront builds trust and can help avoid misunderstandings and lengthy disputes in the event of an emergency. An informed dog owner can set off on holiday with greater peace of mind, knowing that provision has been made should the worst happen. Bear in mind that a good dog boarding facility also has an interest in clear arrangements and will welcome your questions. This ensures that your four-legged friend is looked after not only lovingly, but also safely.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of pet owner liability insurance.
Consumer Advice Centre provides information on liability insurance for pets and its importance.
Laws on the Internet provides the full text of Section 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB) on liability for pet owners.
Deubner Recht offers a specialist article on liability for pet owners and relevant legal aspects.
Tier im Recht sheds light on legal issues in animal welfare law, particularly in the context of boarded pets.
German Animal Welfare Federation provides general information and recommendations on dog ownership.
Laws on the Internet contains the official Dog Welfare Ordinance.
FAQ
Does my dog liability insurance cover damage caused by my dog in a dog boarding kennel abroad?
Many dog liability insurance policies also offer overseas cover, often limited in duration. Check the exact terms of your policy or ask your insurer whether the cover also applies to dog boarding kennels abroad and for which countries.
What if the dog boarding facility 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 kennel (e.g. inadequate supervision), the kennel’s business liability insurance could cover the damage or at least be liable in part. Your dog liability insurance could seek recourse.
Do I have to pay a higher premium for my dog liability insurance if my dog is often in boarding kennels?
Normally not. The standard premium for dog liability insurance usually includes cover for stays in dog boarding kennels. However, it is important to be honest if your dog is classed as dangerous, as this can affect the premium.
What happens if my dog gets ill or injures itself while at the boarding kennel?
The dog liability insurance covers damage caused by your dog to third parties. For illnesses or self-inflicted injuries of your own dog, a dog health insurance or dog surgery insurance is responsible, not liability insurance.
Is there an excess for damage at the dog boarding kennel?
This depends on your individual dog liability insurance policy. Many policies include an excess, which may vary in amount (e.g. 100 or 250 euros per claim). You would have to cover this yourself in the event of a claim.
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