When does dog liability insurance not cover claims? Important exclusions and pitfalls for dog owners
26.04.25
10
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
One careless moment, and the damage is done. But what if your dog liability insurance refuses to pay? Find out here which typical situations are not covered and how you can protect yourself as effectively as possible.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Dog liability insurance does not pay for damage to your own property, intentional damage, and often also not for damage caused by family members in the same household.
Gross negligence, breaches of the lead requirement or the commercial use of the dog may lead to exclusions from cover.
Make sure you have a sufficiently high sum insured (at least five million euros) and the explicit inclusion of damage to rented property in your policy.
Understanding benefit exclusions: the most common reasons for refusing payment
Third-party liability insurance for dogs covers damage caused by your dog to third parties. However, there are clearly defined cases in which no insurance cover is provided. Many dog owners are surprised when the insurance company rejects a claim. Knowing about these exclusions is therefore crucial. As a rule, a distinction must be made between at least three main categories of exclusions.
One of the most common reasons why dog liability insurance does not pay is damage to your own property or person. This means that if your dog damages your own property or injures you yourself, the insurance does not apply. Damage to people living in the same household with you is also often excluded. Another important point is intentional acts. For example, if you deliberately set your dog on someone, the insurance coverage is void. These basic exclusions can be found in most insurance policies. It is therefore advisable to check your own policy carefully.
Damage to your own property and family-related damage: limits of cover within your own circle
Dog liability insurance is designed to cover damage to third parties. A key point in when dog liability insurance does not pay is so-called own losses. If your dog scratches your own sofa, for example, or bites you yourself, the insurer will not cover these costs. This often also applies to damage to rented or borrowed items, although damage to rented property can sometimes be insured separately.
Damage involving family members or other people living in the household is generally also excluded. If your dog injures a child who lives with you, this is usually not covered by dog liability insurance. The distinction between third-party damage and own damage is crucial here. However, some insurers offer special clauses or extended cover that could include certain of these cases. A careful comparison of dog liability insurance policies is particularly important here.
Intent and gross negligence: When your own conduct jeopardises protection
Another fundamental exclusion is intentional conduct. If damage is deliberately caused by the dog owner, the dog liability insurance does not pay out. This is a standard exclusion in almost all liability policies. The insurance only covers unintentional damage. An example would be encouraging the dog to bite another person.
It becomes more complicated in cases of gross negligence. This refers to particularly careless or reckless behaviour by the dog owner. [ä1,ä4] Although many modern policies also cover gross negligence, benefits may be reduced or excluded if, for example, statutory requirements such as a leash requirement were disregarded and this was the cause of the damage. [ä2,4] The exact rules on gross negligence vary widely between providers. It is important to understand when liability insurance applies and what duties you have as the policyholder. [ä5]
Specific exclusions: breed lists, commercial use and abroad
In addition to the general exclusions, there are specific situations in which dog liability insurance does not pay out. Some insurers exclude certain dog breeds, so-called listed dogs, from cover across the board or tie the insurance to higher premiums or stricter conditions. [2,ü5] It is therefore essential to check before taking out a policy whether your own breed can be insured without any problems.
Another important point is the commercial use of the dog. [1,1] If the dog is used, for example, for therapeutic purposes, as a guard dog or in breeding, private dog liability insurance often does not apply. A separate business or commercial liability insurance policy is usually required for this. Many standard policies only cover private ownership.
There are also differences when it comes to stays abroad. While short holiday trips within the EU are often covered, there may be restrictions for longer stays or trips outside Europe. [5] You should refer to your policy documents for the exact terms of cover abroad. For some countries, such as Italy, dog liability insurance is even required for entry. [ä3]
Damage to rented property and cover limits: What you should look out for
Damage to rented property, particularly damage to rented accommodation, is a common issue. Not every dog liability policy covers this automatically. [3,ü5] If your dog scratches the door of the rented flat, this can be expensive. Make sure that damage to rented property is explicitly included in your policy and that the sum insured for this is sufficient. There are often separate, lower maximum compensation limits for damage to rented property. [1]
The overall sum insured for your dog liability insurance should be set sufficiently high. Experts recommend at least five million euros for personal injury and property damage. [2,3,4] Personal injury claims can quickly reach six- or seven-figure amounts, especially if lifelong pension payments become due. A sum insured that is too low can, in an emergency, mean financial ruin. Also check whether uninsured loss cover is included.
Practical tips: How to avoid benefit reductions
To ensure that your dog liability insurance pays out in the event of a claim, there are some important rules of conduct to follow. Always comply with legal requirements, such as leash or muzzle requirements, if these apply to your dog or in certain areas. [4] A breach may be regarded as a breach of duty and could jeopardise your insurance cover. Report claims to your insurer without delay.
Our expert tip: Document your claim notification as detailed as possible. Photos of the site of the loss and the damage incurred, as well as witnesses' contact details, can make the claims process significantly easier and faster. Do not make any independent admission of liability to the injured party; instead, leave the assessment and settlement to your insurer. An honest and complete disclosure of all circumstances is essential.
You should check the following points regularly:
Is the current address still correct? A move must be reported.
Are all dogs in the household registered and insured?
Does the sum insured still match the current risks? An adjustment may be advisable.
Are there any new exclusions in the insurer's current tariff structure?
Knowing whether a dog must be insured is also relevant, as there is an obligation in many federal states. [ü5]
Liability of the animal keeper is regulated in Section 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB). This provision establishes strict liability. This means that the keeper is generally liable for damage caused by their animal, even without any fault on their part. The mere fact of keeping an animal gives rise to liability. Exceptions may apply to livestock; in certain circumstances, a possibility of exoneration under Section 833 sentence 2 BGB may apply.
Recent judgments repeatedly confirm the extensive liability of dog owners. In the event of a claim, courts carefully examine whether exclusion clauses in dog liability insurance apply. For example, if the leash requirement is breached, contributory liability on the part of the dog owner may be assumed, or the insurance payment may be reduced. [3] The exact interpretation of terms such as „gross negligence“ or „intent“ is often the subject of legal disputes. [ä2]
Our expert tip: Keep all relevant documents for your dog and your insurance carefully. These include the vaccination record, proof of attendance at a dog school and, of course, the insurance certificate. In the event of a dispute, these documents can be crucial. A personal liability insurance does not cover damage caused by dogs, by the way; for this, special dog liability insurance is required. [ä2]
Conclusion: Well informed for optimal protection
Dog liability insurance is essential protection for every dog owner. Nevertheless, it is important to know when dog liability insurance does not pay out. Property damage, intent and often gross negligence are typical reasons for exclusion. Specific conditions relating to breed lists, commercial use or cover abroad can also affect benefits. Careful selection of the tariff and knowledge of your own policy conditions are crucial.
Make sure you have a sufficient sum insured and include rental property damage cover. Always behave responsibly and comply with applicable regulations so as not to jeopardise your insurance cover. With the right knowledge and a suitable policy, you and your four-legged friend can enjoy life together with greater peace of mind. Also find out about related topics such as the question of whether dog liability insurance pays compensation for pain and suffering.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific recommendations for optimisation.
More useful links
The Verbraucherzentrale provides comprehensive information on liability insurance for pets.
The Verbraucherzentrale Rheinland-Pfalz provides information in a press release about important aspects of dog liability insurance.
The Tagesschau offers a podcast on pet insurance that sheds light on important consumer questions.
Wikipedia offers a detailed overview of pet keeper liability insurance and its basics.
The Gesetze im Internet portal provides the full text of Section 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB) on animal keeper liability.
FAQ
Which damages are generally not covered by dog liability insurance?
Generally not covered are own damage (damage to the policyholder's property or to the policyholder themselves/family members), damage caused intentionally, damage from commercial use (without the relevant policy), often damage to borrowed/rented items (unless rental damage is explicitly insured), and penalties/fines.
Is my dog also covered abroad by the dog liability insurance?
Insurance cover usually applies to temporary stays abroad, especially within the EU. For longer stays or travel to certain countries, cover may be limited. Check the exact terms in your policy.
What does 'gross negligence' mean in the context of dog liability insurance?
Gross negligence means that the dog owner has breached the required duty of care to a particularly serious extent, for example by disregarding a clear leash requirement in a busy area despite knowing of their dog's aggressiveness. Many policies cover gross negligence, but benefit reductions may apply.
Does dog liability insurance cover damage caused by puppies?
Puppies are often covered under the mother dog’s policy for a certain period (e.g. up to twelve months), as long as they live with the female dog’s owner. After that, they need their own insurance.
Are all dog breeds insurable?
No, some insurers exclude certain breeds (so-called restricted breeds or fighting dogs) from cover or only offer policies with higher premiums and stricter conditions. Check with your insurer in advance.
What if the cover limit on my dog liability insurance is too low?
If a loss exceeds the agreed sum insured, you must cover the amount above this yourself. This can lead to considerable financial strain, especially in the event of serious personal injury.
