When does dog liability insurance not pay? Important exclusions and pitfalls for dog owners
26 Apr 2025
3
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A moment of carelessness, and the damage is done. But what happens if the dog liability insurance refuses to pay? Find out here which typical situations are not covered and how to protect yourself optimally.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The dog liability insurance does not cover personal damages, intentionally caused damages, and often does not cover damages caused by family members in the same household.
Gross negligence, violations of leash laws, or the commercial use of the dog may lead to exclusions from coverage.
Ensure you have a sufficiently high coverage amount (at least five million euros) and the explicit inclusion of rental property damage in your policy.
Understanding Exclusions: The Most Common Reasons for Refusal to Pay
A dog liability insurance covers damages caused by your dog to third parties. However, there are clearly defined cases where no insurance coverage exists. Many dog owners are surprised when the insurance denies a claim. Knowing these exclusions is therefore crucial. Generally, at least three main categories of exclusions can be distinguished.
One of the most common reasons why a dog liability insurance does not pay is damages to oneself. This means that if your dog damages your own property or injures you, the insurance does not cover it. Similarly, damages to people who live in the same household as you are often excluded. Another important point is intentional actions. If, for example, you deliberately set your dog on someone, the insurance cover lapses. These fundamental exclusions are found in most insurance policies, so it is advisable to check your own policy carefully.
Own Damages and Family Damages: Limits of Coverage in Your Own Environment
Liability insurance for dogs is designed to cover damages to third parties. A key point when liability insurance for dogs does not pay out is so-called self-damage. For example, if your dog scratches your own couch or bites you, the insurance does not cover these costs. This often also applies to damage to rented or borrowed items, although rental property damage can sometimes be insured separately.
Similarly, damage to family members or other people living in the household is generally excluded. If your dog injures a child who lives with you, this is usually not covered by the liability insurance for dogs. The distinction between third-party damage and self-damage is crucial here. However, some insurers offer special clauses or extended coverage that might include certain of these cases. An exact comparison of dog liability insurance is particularly important here.
Intent and gross negligence: When one's own behaviour jeopardises protection
Another fundamental exclusion is intentional conduct. If damage is intentionally caused by the dog owner, the dog liability insurance will not pay. This is a standard exclusion in nearly all liability contracts. The insurance only covers unintentional damages. An example would be inciting the dog to bite another person.
It becomes more complicated with gross negligence. This involves particularly negligent or reckless behaviour by the dog owner. [ä1,ä4] Although many modern policies include coverage for gross negligence, there may be benefit reductions or exclusions if, for example, legal requirements such as leash laws were ignored and this was the cause of the damage. [ä2,4] The exact regulations regarding gross negligence vary greatly between providers. It is important to understand when a 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 where dog liability insurance does not apply. Some insurers exclude certain dog breeds, known as 'restricted breeds', from coverage altogether or attach higher premiums or stricter conditions to their insurance. [2,ü5] Therefore, it is essential to check before signing whether your dog breed can be insured without problems.
Another important aspect is the commercial use of the dog. [1,1] If the dog is used for therapeutic purposes, as a guard dog, or in breeding, private dog liability insurance often does not apply. In such cases, a special business or commercial liability insurance is usually required. Many standard policies cover only private ownership.
There are also differences regarding stays abroad. While short holiday trips within the EU are often covered, there may be limitations for longer stays or travels outside Europe. [5] You should check your insurance documents for the exact terms of international coverage. For some countries, such as Italy, dog liability insurance is even mandatory for entry. [ä3]
Damage to rented property and coverage amounts: What you should pay attention to
Damage to rented items, particularly damage to rented property like apartments, is a common issue. Not every dog liability insurance automatically covers this. [3,ü5] If your dog scratches the door of the rental apartment, it can become expensive. Ensure that damage to rented property is explicitly included in your policy and that the coverage amount is adequate. Often, there are separate, lower maximum compensation limits for damage to rented property. [1]
The general coverage amount of your dog liability insurance should be chosen sufficiently high. Experts recommend at least five million euros for personal and property damage. [2,3,4] Personal injuries can quickly reach six or seven figures, especially when lifelong pension payments are due. An insufficient coverage amount could mean financial ruin in a serious case. Also, check if claims for uninsured losses are included.
Practical Tips: How to Avoid Performance Reductions
To ensure that your dog liability insurance provides coverage in the event of a claim, there are some important guidelines to follow. Always adhere to legal requirements, such as leash or muzzle laws, if they apply to your dog or in certain areas. [4] A violation may be considered a breach of duty and jeopardize insurance coverage. Report damages to your insurance company immediately.
Our expert tip: Document your claim report as thoroughly as possible. Photos of the location and the damages incurred, as well as contact details of witnesses, can significantly ease and speed up the process. Do not make independent admissions of guilt to the injured party; instead, leave the examination and settlement to your insurance company. Honest and complete disclosure of all circumstances is crucial.
You should regularly check the following points:
Is your current address still correct? A change of residence must be reported.
Are all dogs in the household registered and insured?
Does the coverage amount still match the current risks? An adjustment might be advisable.
Are there new exclusions in the insurer's current tariff framework?
Knowing whether a dog must be insured is also relevant, as in many federal states, it is mandatory. [ü5]
Expert knowledge: Legal foundations and current judgments
The liability of the animal owner is regulated in § 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB). This paragraph establishes strict liability. This means that the owner is liable for damages caused by their animal, generally without any personal fault. The mere fact of keeping an animal establishes liability. Exceptions may apply to working animals, where an exculpatory possibility under § 833 sentence 2 BGB might be applicable.
Recent judgments consistently confirm the extensive liability of dog owners. In the event of damage, courts carefully examine whether exclusions of dog liability insurance apply. For example, a breach of the leash law may result in the dog owner sharing liability or a reduction in the insurance benefits. [3] The precise interpretation of terms like "gross negligence" or "intent" is often the subject of legal disputes. [ä2]
Our expert tip: Keep all relevant documents concerning your dog and insurance carefully. This includes the vaccination certificate, proof of attending a dog school, and of course the insurance policy. In the event of a dispute, these documents can be crucial. Incidentally, a private liability insurance does not cover damage caused by dogs; for this, specific dog liability insurance is necessary. [ä2]
Conclusion: Well-informed for optimal protection
More useful links
The Consumer Advice Centre provides comprehensive information about liability insurance for pets.
The Consumer Advice Centre of Rhineland-Palatinate informs in a press release about important aspects of dog liability insurance.
The Tagesschau offers a podcast on pet insurance that highlights important consumer questions.
Wikipedia offers a detailed overview of animal owner liability insurance and its fundamentals.
The portal Gesetze im Internet provides the full text of § 833 of the Civil Code (BGB) on animal owner liability.
FAQ
What damages are generally not covered by a dog liability insurance?
Generally not covered are personal damages (damage to the holder's property or to themselves/family members), deliberately caused damages, damages from commercial use (without the appropriate policy), often damages to borrowed/rented items (unless rented property damages are explicitly insured), and penalties/fines.
Is my dog also covered by liability insurance abroad?
Insurance cover is usually provided for temporary stays abroad, particularly within the EU. For longer stays or travel to certain countries, the cover may be limited. Please check the specific conditions in your policy.
What does 'gross negligence' mean in the context of dog liability insurance?
Gross negligence means that the dog owner has violated the required duty of care in a particularly severe manner, for example, by ignoring a clear leash obligation in a busy area despite being aware of their dog's aggressiveness. Many policies cover gross negligence, but there may be reductions in benefits.
Does the dog liability insurance cover damages caused by puppies?
Puppies are often covered by the mother's insurance policy for a specific period (e.g., up to twelve months) as long as they live with the owner of the female dog. After that, they require their own insurance.
Are all dog breeds insurable?
No, some insurers exclude certain breeds (so-called listed dogs or fighting dogs) from coverage or only offer policies with higher premiums and stricter conditions. Check with your insurer in advance.
What if the coverage amount of my dog liability insurance is too low?
If a loss exceeds the agreed coverage amount, you will have to pay the amount exceeding it yourself. This can lead to significant financial burdens, especially in cases of serious bodily injury.
