Dogs are the second most popular pet in Germany, and for millions of households they are full members of the family. When a dog falls ill, owners naturally want the best for their animal. That often means expensive vet visits, specialist examinations and long courses of treatment. Dog health insurance (Hundekrankenversicherung) gives financial protection for exactly these situations and lets owners make medical decisions without watching the bill.
Modern veterinary medicine can do a lot that would have been unthinkable a few decades ago. Cancer treatment, joint surgery, pacemakers for dogs: the medical options are impressive, and so are the costs. A single MRI diagnosis can cost several hundred euros, and an operation easily several thousand. Without insurance, the owner has to carry these costs in full, which leaves many people facing hard emotional and financial choices. Nobody wants to make decisions like that at such a moment.
In Germany, dog health insurance is not a legal requirement, but it is a sensible investment for any owner who cares about their animal's wellbeing. For owners of breeds known for frequent health problems, it is especially worth considering. Even a seemingly healthy dog can fall suddenly ill or have an accident that causes high costs. Insurance exists for exactly this unpredictable risk.
Dog health insurance is open to all dog owners, whatever the breed or age of the animal. It is advisable, though, to take out cover while the dog is still young and healthy, because pre-existing conditions are often not insured, or only to a limited extent. Older dogs can sometimes not be insured at all, or only at much higher premiums. That is a good reason to act early.
When choosing dog health insurance, owners should look at several factors: the scope of cover, the annual coverage limit, the reimbursement rate, the excess and any exclusions. Some policies also include extras such as preventive check-ups or vaccinations, which can raise the overall value of the contract considerably. Comparing several offers is always worthwhile.
We are happy to help you find the right product for your dog. Together we will find the cover that suits you and your animal, at a fair price and with real added value.
Dog Health Insurance Benefits
Allianz dog health insurance Vollschutz (full cover) offers broad protection in the following areas:
Outpatient and inpatient treatment: Cover for medical services that do not need a hospital stay, such as examinations for chronic conditions, diagnostics, vaccinations and wound care. Inpatient treatment and operations are also covered in full.
Operations: All services directly connected with operations after an accident or illness are insured, whether under general anaesthesia, partial anaesthesia, local anaesthesia or sedation.
Diagnostics and medication: Imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound, MRI and CT is insured. Laboratory tests and necessary medication for treating illnesses are reimbursed.
Preventive care (basic prevention): Cover for flea and tick prevention, worming, vaccinations in line with veterinary recommendations and one-off identification (transponder/microchip).
Dental treatment: Dental treatment, tooth extractions, root canal treatment, fillings and tartar removal are insured, as is orthodontics under anaesthesia.
Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy costs are covered without a prior operation, including underwater treadmill, massage, lymphatic drainage, manual therapy, magnetic field therapy, laser therapy, osteopathy and acupuncture.
Follow-up care after surgery: Cover for follow-up examinations, accommodation in animal clinics, medication and alternative treatment methods with proven effectiveness.
Further benefits: Telemedicine (online consultations and video advice), prostheses and implants, orthoses and aids, worldwide cover abroad for up to 12 months, emergency service fees in medical emergencies, euthanasia costs for incurable illness, direct billing with the vet, and surgical neutering or spaying (once).
Reimbursement under the fee schedule (Gebührenordnung für Tierärzte, GOT): Billing follows the fee schedule for vets. Depending on how serious the treatment is, vets charge between the single and triple rate, and up to the quadruple rate in emergencies.
