Dog liability & dog health insurance

Most dog owners in Germany consider two types of cover:

• Dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflichtversicherung) pays if your dog injures someone or damages their property. It's mandatory for all dogs in several federal states, including Berlin and Hamburg.

• Dog health insurance (Hundekrankenversicherung) pays your own vet bills, from surgeries to, on the Plus plan, check-ups and medication.

With Feather you can buy one or both at the same time, online and in English.

Yes. On this page you can choose dog liability insurance, dog health insurance, or both in one go. You are then able to manage both policies together in one account.

• Dog Liability covers damage your dog causes to others: injuries, damaged property, damage to a rented apartment, and resulting financial loss.

• Dog Health Insurance covers your dog's own vet treatments.

They protect against completely different costs. That's why many owners, and especially anyone living in a state where dog liability insurance is compulsory, get both

It depends on the federal state:

• Mandatory for all dogs in Berlin, Bremen (since 1 July 2026), Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia.
• Mandatory only for dogs classed as dangerous, and in some states for large dogs in most other states. In North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, it's required for dogs over 20 kg or 40 cm shoulder height.
• No requirement: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Even where it isn't required, it's strongly recommended. In Germany, dog owners are personally liable for damage their dog causes, with no upper limit. Sometimes landlords also ask for proof of dog liability insurance.

No. Personal liability insurance in Germany usually covers small pets like cats and birds, but not dogs. You need separate dog liability insurance on top.

Yes, if the person is someone you live with, such as your partner or children under 18, or a friend who isn't a professional dog sitter. Professional dog sitters need their own liability insurance.

Yes. You can go to any licensed vet or clinic, with no network restrictions. You're also covered when you travel with your dog abroad.

To be eligible for Feather's dog health insurance, your dog must be at least 8 weeks old and under 6 years old when cover starts. If you insure your dog before age 6, it can stay covered for life.

Each type of insurance has its own cancellation policy.

You can cancel your dog liability insurance at any time.

For dog health insurance there's a 1-year minimum term, and after that you can cancel monthly. You can also cancel early in exceptional cases, for example if you decide to leave Germany.