Cancelling pet owner liability insurance on the death of the policyholder: A guide for heirs
18.06.25
4
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The loss of a loved one is painful and raises many questions. One of them often concerns the deceased’s pet owner liability insurance. Find out here how to proceed correctly as an heir to cancel or amend the insurance and avoid unnecessary costs.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Pet owner liability insurance does not automatically end with the death of the policyholder; heirs enter into the contract.
The heirs must inform the insurer immediately of the death and submit a copy of the death certificate.
Heirs can cancel the pet liability insurance in compliance with the contractual notice periods (often by the next premium due date or with three months' notice).
Immediate measures: The first steps after a death
After a death, heirs must promptly deal with many contracts. The deceased’s pet liability insurance is one of them and requires swift action. Inform the insurer of the death without delay, ideally within 48 hours, even if this is not always explicitly required. Enclose a copy of the death certificate with your letter as soon as it is available. This prompt notification is important to clarify the next steps and avoid missing any deadlines. Most insurers need this information to coordinate the next steps with you.
You should also carefully review the deceased’s insurance documents. Look for the policy and the General Insurance Terms and Conditions (AVB). These contain important information about the term of the contract and the cancellation conditions. These documents form the basis for your further decisions regarding the dog owner liability insurance or horse owner liability insurance. Knowing these details will help you make the right decisions for the future of the animal and the insurance cover.
Legal basics: What heirs need to know
With the death of the policyholder, their assets pass as a whole to the heirs; this is the so-called universal succession pursuant to Section 1922 of the German Civil Code (BGB). This means that existing insurance contracts, such as pet owner liability insurance, also pass to the community of heirs. The insurance therefore does not end automatically. The animal that gives rise to the cover continues to exist and thus still represents an ongoing risk. The heirs therefore step into the rights and obligations of the insurance contract.
Pet owner liability insurance is an insurance tied to a specific subject matter, linked to the animal. Unlike purely personal insurance policies, such as private liability insurance for an individual, which may end with the death of the insured person, the insured item remains in place here. The heirs are now responsible for the animal and therefore also for the insurance cover. They must decide whether they wish to continue, amend or cancel the contract. This decision should be made promptly in order to avoid gaps in cover or unnecessary costs.
Options for heirs: continue, amend or terminate the contract
As an heir, you generally have three options for dealing with the deceased’s pet owner liability insurance. First: you can continue the contract unchanged if you take over the animal yourself and the insurance cover remains suitable. Second: you can have the policy amended, for example if details such as the address or bank account change as a result of taking over the animal. An amendment is often possible within a few days. Third: you can cancel the pet owner liability insurance. This is the most common option if, for example, the animal is transferred to a new owner or the heirs do not need the cover.
Heirs can usually cancel the pet owner liability insurance. The exact notice periods can be found in the insurance conditions. Often, the policy can be cancelled at the next premium due date or with three months’ notice to the end of the insurance year. Some sources also state that cover remains in place until the annual main due date for the premium and can then be taken over or cancelled by relatives. It is important to send the cancellation in writing by registered letter to the insurer. Clarify the exact terms directly with the insurance company to avoid misunderstandings. A cancel funeral expense insurance is subject to different rules than property insurance.
The termination process: step-by-step guide
If you decide to cancel the pet liability insurance, you should proceed in a structured manner. Here is a guide in four steps:
Inform the insurer in writing about the death and your wish to cancel. Provide the policy number, the name of the deceased policyholder and the date of death.
Enclose a copy of the death certificate. This document is essential for processing.
Explain what happens to the animal (e.g. transfer to an heir, handover to third parties, remaining in the animal shelter). This information may be relevant to the insurer.
Please request written confirmation of the cancellation stating the termination date. Keep this confirmation in a safe place.
Observe the contractually agreed notice periods. As a rule, the notice period is three months to the expiry of the insurance year or the cancellation takes effect at the next main due date. If you miss this deadline, the contract may be extended by a further year. A correctly worded letter to the insurer is crucial here. It is advisable to send the cancellation by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt, in order to have proof of timely receipt.
Special case: The animal dies or is given up
A special case arises when it is not the policyholder, but the insured animal, that dies. In this situation, the insured risk no longer applies, which gives rise to a special right of termination. The pet owner’s liability insurance can then usually be cancelled without notice. This usually requires proof from the vet (certificate of euthanasia). Contributions already overpaid are refunded on a pro rata basis. This differs significantly from the situation where the policyholder dies and the animal is still alive.
If the animal is given to a new person after the policyholder’s death, the insurance contract should also be cancelled. The new owner must then take out their own pet owner’s liability insurance. It is not advisable simply to have the contract transferred to the new owner , without having checked their creditworthiness and reliability, as the heirs could remain liable until the contract is changed. A clear cancellation by the heirs and a new policy taken out by the new owner provide the cleanest solution here. This is also relevant when considering whether a dog must be insured, which is mandatory in many federal states.
Expert tips for heirs: avoid pitfalls
When dealing with pet owner's liability insurance in the event of inheritance, there are a few points that require particular attention. Our expert tip: Clarify as quickly as possible which of the heirs will assume responsibility for the animal, or whether it will be surrendered. This decision has a major impact on how you proceed with the insurer. A delay can lead to unnecessary costs, as premium payments continue until the termination takes effect or the contract is transferred. Please note that a horse owner's liability insurance often has higher cover limits than one for dogs, which underlines its financial significance.
Another important aspect is the complete documentation of all steps. Keep copies of all correspondence with the insurer, especially the confirmation of cancellation. If there are no heirs, or if the inheritance is renounced, the estate and thus the insurance obligation may, in some circumstances, pass to the state. In this case too, the insurer must be informed and the policy cancelled, to avoid further charges. The rules on this can be complex; early clarification is therefore important. Also think of other insurance policies, such as motor vehicle insurance, which can be taken over in the event of death.
The handling of insurance policies in the event of death can be complex and emotionally taxing. At nextsure, we understand that. As your digital insurance portal, we offer you not only comprehensive information, but also personalised advice. We help you analyse the situation surrounding the deceased's pet owner liability insurance and take the steps that are right for you. Our mission is to provide you with tailored and easy-to-understand insurance solutions, even in difficult life circumstances.
We support you in keeping an overview and making the right decisions. Whether it concerns cancelling the pet owner's liability insurance, adjusting contracts or other insurance matters in the event of inheritance – we are at your side with our expertise. Benefit from our experience for a hassle-free process. We review your existing insurance situation and identify potential areas for optimisation. Find out more about our funeral insurance, to plan ahead for the future.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive concrete suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of pet owner liability insurance and its special features.
Wikipedia explains the basics of inheritance law in Germany.
Insurers provide information about what happens to the insurance policies of a deceased person.
The Bund der Versicherten provides an information leaflet on the topic "death of the policyholder".
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides current figures and data, for example on pet ownership in German households.
FAQ
Does pet owner’s liability insurance end automatically when the owner dies?
No, pet owner’s liability insurance does not automatically end with the death of the policyholder. As the insured animal continues to pose a risk, the contract passes to the heirs.
What documents do I need to cancel pet liability insurance after a death?
You will usually need a cancellation letter, the policy number and a copy of the policyholder's death certificate.
What deadlines apply when heirs terminate pet liability insurance?
The notice periods are set out in the insurance terms and conditions. It is customary to give notice at the next premium due date or to give ordinary notice with a period of three months to the end of the insurance year.
What happens if the insured animal is given away after the owner's death?
When the animal is transferred to a new owner, the heirs should cancel the existing pet owner liability insurance. The new owner must then take out their own insurance for the animal.
Can heirs also take over the pet owner liability insurance?
Yes, heirs can take over the pet liability insurance if they keep the animal themselves. In this case, the insurer should be informed and the policy should, if necessary, be transferred to the new policyholder.
What is the difference compared with cancellation if the animal dies?
If the insured animal dies, the insured risk ceases to exist. In this case, there is usually a special right of cancellation, and the insurance can often be terminated without notice. In the event of the policyholder's death, the risk (the animal) continues to exist, so different cancellation rules apply.
