Dog Health Insurance & GOT 4x Rate: Tariffs Compared

Since the GOT reform (in effect since November 22, 2022 — historically the first revision since 1999), vet bills for dogs have risen by 20 to 25 percent on average — in emergency service, the 4x rate plus a flat emergency-service fee of €50 net applies. Dog health insurance that only reimburses up to three times the GOT rate does not fully cover emergency costs — the owner bears the difference themselves. The GOT reimbursement rate is therefore the single most important tariff feature.

The GOT Reform: Why the 4x Rate Now Matters

What the Veterinary Fee Schedule Regulates

The Gebührenordnung für Tierärzte (GOT), Germany's veterinary fee schedule, is the nationwide binding legal basis under which vets bill their services. It sets a fee range from the standard rate up to three times that rate — on a sliding scale, with no fixed prices [1]. This is regulated by law. In emergency service — that is, for treatment at night, on weekends, or on public holidays — the vet may additionally charge four times the standard rate and levy a flat emergency-service fee of €50 net [5]. In practice, specialized veterinary clinics in urban areas routinely bill at four times the rate in an emergency [4].

What the Reform Actually Made More Expensive

The GOT reform took effect — historically the first fundamental revision since 1999 [3]. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, BMEL) cites an average cost increase of between 20 and 25 percent. A general examination with consultation for dogs rose by 75 percent at the standard rate alone, to €23.62 [3]. Scaled up to four times the rate, plus VAT and the emergency-service flat fee, even a simple emergency visit can reach three-digit amounts. Complex operations such as surgery for a stomach twist (gastric torsion) can quickly cost €5,000 to €7,000 in emergency service. The German Federal Chamber of Veterinarians (Bundestierärztekammer) has published extensive information sheets for pet owners on the reform [2].

Why the GOT Reimbursement Rate Is the Most Important Tariff Feature

Tariffs that only reimburse up to two or three times the GOT rate do not fully cover emergency surgery. The owner bears the difference to the actual four-times rate billed themselves [4]. This is not a marginal issue: in more than 50 percent of submitted invoices, individual line items exceed twice the standard rate. Dog health insurance that reimburses four times the GOT rate, including emergency service, is therefore not a luxury. It is the minimum requirement for full protection.

Hepster Dog Health Insurance: All Four Tariff Tiers Compared

Basis Tariffs: Entry-Level With Three Times the GOT Rate

The Basis tariffs of Hepster's dog health insurance cover veterinarily necessary medical treatment, surgery under anesthesia, wound care, medication, up to 10 days of hospital boarding, and an annual health flat-rate of up to €30 per insurance year for check-ups, vaccinations, deworming, and dental prophylaxis. The Basis20 tariff reimburses 80 percent of eligible costs with a 20 percent deductible, but at least €250 per claim. With the Basis50 tariff, the reimbursement rate drops to 50 percent, with a 50 percent deductible, at least €500 per insurance year. Both Basis tariffs reimburse veterinary fees up to three times the GOT rate — including in emergency service. The annual maximum is €2,500 for treatment and surgery costs combined.

Premium Tariff: Four Times the GOT Rate and Extended Benefits

The Premium tariff raises GOT reimbursement to four times the rate — including for emergency service at night, on weekends, and on public holidays. This is the decisive difference from the Basis tariffs. The Premium tariff also covers physiotherapy (up to €200 without surgery, up to €500 after surgery), tooth extractions and root canal treatment, homeopathy and acupuncture, laser therapy, and neutering and spaying with no restriction to medical necessity. Hospital boarding is extended to up to 15 days, and follow-up treatment to 15 days after surgery. The reimbursement rate is 80 percent with a 20 percent deductible per claim. The annual maximum rises to €10,000 in the first insurance year, €15,000 in the second, and is unlimited from the third insurance year onward. The health flat-rate is up to €70 per year.

Superior Tariffs: Maximum Protection With No Annual Maximum

The Superior variants, Superior10 and Superior0, offer the most comprehensive cover in Hepster's portfolio. Both reimburse up to four times the GOT rate including emergency service, have no annual maximum for treatment and surgery costs, and additionally cover prosthetics and orthotics (up to €650 per insured event after a 12-month waiting period) as well as physiotherapy. Hospital boarding is extended to up to 20 days, and follow-up treatment to 20 days after surgery. The difference between the two: Superior10 reimburses 90 percent of costs with a 10 percent deductible. Superior0 reimburses 100 percent with no deductible at all. Both Superior tariffs apply worldwide for stays outside Germany of up to twelve months — a clear advantage over the Basis tariffs, which only apply in Germany and other European countries.

All details are based on the product information sheets of Hepster's dog health insurance (insurer: Towarzystwo Ubezpieczen Europa S.A., Poland). The respective General Insurance Terms and Conditions are authoritative.

Emergency Service Costs for Dogs: What the 4x GOT Rate Means in Practice

Emergency Service Hours and Fee Structure

Under the GOT, emergency service hours apply daily from 6 pm to 8 am the following day, as well as from Friday 6 pm to Monday 8 am and on public holidays [5]. During these windows, the vet may charge at least twice and up to four times the GOT rate. On top of that comes the flat emergency-service fee of €50 net. In practice, specialized clinics regularly bill at the maximum rate in an emergency. Not the exception — the rule.

Concrete Cost Examples for Emergency Surgery

A general examination with consultation costs €23.62 at the standard GOT rate — at four times the rate, that's €94.48, plus 19 percent VAT and the emergency-service flat fee [3]. For emergency surgery such as a stomach twist or a torn cruciate ligament, total costs can quickly reach €3,000 to €7,000. Anyone insured only up to three times the rate bears the difference themselves. Depending on the procedure, that can amount to several hundred to more than a thousand euros. This is exactly where good tariffs separate from bad ones.

Why Specialist Clinics More Often Bill the Maximum Rate

Specialized veterinary clinics in cities often bill at three times the standard rate as a matter of course — and four times in emergency service [4]. This is due to higher operating costs, specialized staff, and expensive equipment. Anyone living in a major city or relying on a referral clinic effectively has no choice. In this environment, dog health insurance with GOT reimbursement up to four times the rate is not optional — it's essential. Anyone who ignores this pays the difference themselves when it counts.

What's Covered and What Isn't: Scope of Cover and Exclusions

Covered Benefits at a Glance

All Hepster tariffs cover veterinarily necessary medical treatment for illness or accident, surgery under partial or general anesthesia, wound care by suturing, pre-surgical examinations, and medication and consumables prescribed by a vet. Hospital boarding is also covered: 10 days in the Basis tariffs, 15 days in the Premium tariff, and 20 days in the Superior tariffs. Telemedicine services are included at all tariff tiers. Practical benefit: this helps avoid unnecessary emergency-service visits.

Exclusions Owners Need to Know

There is no cover for treatment resulting from chronic conditions or congenital or genetic malformations that the owner was aware of at the time of application. Conditions treated within six months before the contract began are permanently excluded. Pre-existing conditions are not insurable. Treatments to achieve breed standard, health certificates and expert opinions, and pure check-ups with no connection to an illness are also not covered. A general waiting period of one month applies; special waiting periods apply for certain conditions under the General Insurance Terms and Conditions.

MRI, CT, and Neutering: Special Rules to Note

MRI and CT costs are only subsidized at 50 percent in the Basis tariffs. Medically necessary neutering is capped at €250 in the Basis tariffs; in the Premium and Superior tariffs, neutering is covered with no such cap. Prosthetics and orthotics are covered only in the Superior tariffs — up to €650 per insured event, after a 12-month waiting period. This is relevant for dogs with joint problems or after serious accidents. Anyone with a breed of known risk profile should check these items when choosing a tariff.

Annual Maximums and Deductibles: The Hidden Cost Traps

How Annual Maximums Limit Reimbursement

Annual maximums are the second big lever after the GOT reimbursement rate. Hepster's Basis tariffs cap reimbursement for treatment and surgery costs combined at €2,500 per insurance year. With a stomach twist, a torn cruciate ligament, or cancer treatment, this amount is used up quickly. Follow-up treatment in the same insurance year is then billed entirely to the owner.

Premium and Superior: Rising Limits Up to No Limit at All

The Premium tariff solves this problem step by step: an annual maximum of €10,000 applies in the first insurance year, €15,000 in the second — and the limit is removed entirely from the third insurance year onward. The Superior tariffs have no annual maximum from the start. Structurally the strongest protection in the comparison. Cover grows as the contract runs longer — structurally stronger than tariffs with a fixed annual limit. For owners who insure their dog early, this is a structural advantage.

Deductibles: What Owners Actually Pay When a Claim Occurs

The deductible varies significantly between tariffs. Basis20 requires 20 percent, at least €250 per claim. Basis50 requires 50 percent, at least €500 per insurance year. Premium and Superior10 require 20 percent and 10 percent per claim, respectively. Superior0 has no deductible. For emergency surgery over €3,000, a 20 percent deductible still means €600 out of pocket. That's predictable. A 50 percent deductible under the Basis50 tariff effectively halves the cover for expensive procedures. Choosing the right tariff is therefore not just a question of the monthly premium.

Coverage Area, Contract Term, and Cancellation: Practical Terms

Where Does Cover Apply?

The coverage area differs considerably between tariff tiers. Basis tariffs apply in Germany and for stays in other European countries of up to twelve months. The Premium tariff extends cover to non-European countries for up to six months. The Superior tariffs offer worldwide cover for stays outside Germany of up to twelve months. For dog owners who travel regularly or plan longer stays abroad, this is a relevant difference. Anyone traveling long-distance with their dog should choose at least the Premium tariff.

Contract Term: Monthly or Annual Subscription

Hepster offers both monthly and annual subscriptions. The monthly subscription has a minimum term of 12 months with a notice period of 3 business days before the end of the insurance period. The annual subscription renews automatically from year to year, likewise with a 3-business-day notice period. Anyone who chooses a fixed contract term has no ordinary right to cancel — the contract ends automatically at the agreed date. Extraordinary termination is possible after a claim or in the event of a premium increase without a corresponding improvement in benefits.

Chip Number and Proof of Identity Are Mandatory

An important obligation: if the dog has not yet been identified by a chip number or tattoo at the time the contract is taken out, this identification must be completed and proven to the insurer at the latest by the time of the first claim. Documents proving the acquisition and identity of the dog must also be kept — the original invoice, a protection or adoption contract, or a copy of the pet passport. Claims are submitted via Hepster's web portal or by email. Fully digital — no paperwork.

Dog Health Insurance and the GOT 4x Rate: What Really Matters When Choosing a Tariff

The Three Key Questions Before Signing Up

Three questions structure the choice of tariff: first, up to what GOT rate is reimbursed — three times or four times? Second, how high is the annual maximum — and does it grow with the length of the contract? Third, how high is the deductible when a claim occurs? Anyone who answers all three questions with the four-times rate, no annual maximum or a growing one, and a low deductible has found a tariff that really pays out when it matters. Tariffs that only win on the monthly premium but fall short on GOT rate, annual maximum, and deductible are not real protection.

Factoring In Breed and Age as Risk Factors

Certain breeds have a statistically higher risk of expensive conditions. Labradors and Golden Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia and torn cruciate ligaments. Bulldogs and Pugs have structural breathing problems. For these breeds, a tariff with four times the GOT rate and no annual maximum is especially relevant. Insuring a dog young also means pre-existing conditions don't exist yet, so no exclusions apply. Sign up early: cheaper, no pre-existing-condition exclusions — that's math, not opinion.

nextsure as a Hub for Curated Pet Insurance

nextsure compares and arranges dog health insurance with GOT reimbursement as part of a curated portfolio of more than 70 niche products across 7 categories. No overload of tariff lists — hand-picked products with a clear benefit structure. Anyone also looking for pet health insurance: coverage and costs compared or wanting to learn about health insurance for dogs at a glance will find editorially prepared decision-making guides on nextsure. For households with multiple pets, it's also worth looking at health insurance for pets — including cats. nextsure also offers insurance cover for unusual pet species for owners who want to insure animals beyond dogs. nextsure operates as an insurance broker under Section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung, GewO) and is listed in the DIHK broker register under registration number D-4ZF9-E88H6-53 — comparison, advice, and taking out a policy online are free for end customers.