Dog and horse liability insurance in Germany: requirements and cover
When pet owner liability insurance becomes mandatory, why personal liability insurance won't step in for dogs and horses, and what to watch for in a policy.
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Dogs and horses are not covered by personal liability insurance in the same way as small pets. State law, the type of animal and how it is used can change the requirements.
In short: If you keep a dog or a horse in Germany, you are liable for damage caused by your animal even if you are not at fault – without any limit and with your private assets (section 833 BGB). That is why several federal states make dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht) compulsory. There is no legal requirement for horses, but the cover is just as important. Choose a lump-sum cover limit in the millions.
Why animal owners carry special liability
For pets, German law applies strict liability (Gefährdungshaftung): if your animal causes damage, you are liable even if you did everything right (section 833 sentence 1 BGB). The law assumes that animals can react unpredictably – and the person who keeps them bears that risk. There is no upper limit on liability.
Personal injury is what gets expensive. If a dog runs in front of a bicycle and the cyclist falls, medical costs, compensation for pain and suffering, loss of earnings and claims from her health insurer all add up. If there are permanent effects, this mounts up over years. A bolting horse that causes a traffic accident can lead to claims running into millions.
Cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and pet birds, on the other hand, are usually included in personal liability insurance. For dogs and horses you almost always need a separate policy.
Is dog liability insurance mandatory? Overview by federal state
Whether you have to take out dog liability insurance is regulated by each federal state in its dog law or dog ordinance. Simplified, there are three groups (as of October 2026):
| Rule | Federal states |
|---|---|
| Compulsory for all dogs | Berlin, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia |
| Compulsory for large dogs (from 40 cm shoulder height or 20 kg) and dangerous dogs | North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Usually compulsory only for dogs classed as dangerous, sometimes not at all | All other states – the details vary widely |
Bremen and Schleswig-Holstein have revised their rules in recent years and sources differ on the details. The current state law is always what counts – if in doubt, ask the public order office (Ordnungsamt) of your municipality. Regardless of any requirement: because your liability is unlimited, insurance makes sense for every dog.
Horse liability insurance: what matters
There is no legal requirement to insure horses. Many riding stables and livery yards, however, ask for proof in the stabling contract. Pay particular attention to these points:
- Third-party riders: Cover should also apply when a rider sharing your horse or another person rides it.
- Carriage driving and competitions: Not every policy covers driving with a carriage or taking part in competitions.
- Damage to fields and paths: Damage to fields, pastures and paths while out riding should be included.
- Damage to rented stables and boxes: If your horse damages rented stabling, this is only covered with the corresponding module.
What a good policy should include
| Benefit | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| High lump-sum cover limit | Personal injuries with lasting effects quickly reach six or seven figures; many policies offer €10 million or more. |
| Third-party minders included | Anyone looking after your animal can be liable as a minder themselves (section 834 BGB). Good policies include friends, neighbours and dog walkers. |
| Damage to rented property | Scratched doors or chewed floors in a rented flat, holiday home or hotel. |
| Unintended mating | Vet and rearing costs if your animal unexpectedly produces offspring. |
| Puppies and foals | Offspring should be covered for a few months at no extra cost. |
| Cover abroad | Important for holidays with your dog or horse; check the permitted length of stay. |
| Default cover | Steps in if someone damages your property and can neither pay nor is insured. |
What the premium depends on
For dogs, breed, size and the number of animals matter most. Insurers usually charge considerably more for breeds on the dangerous dog lists, and some refuse them. For horses, use and third-party riders count. An excess lowers the premium – use our excess calculator to see whether it pays off for you. You can read more about obligations and costs of keeping animals in our guide to keeping pets; compare policies in the comparison.
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Frequently asked questions
Is dog liability insurance compulsory?
That depends on the federal state (Bundesland): some states require dog liability insurance for all dogs, others only for certain breeds or above a certain size. For horses there is usually no legal requirement, but the liability risk is high. Check the rules in your federal state and, where relevant, your municipality.
Are dogs covered by personal liability insurance?
Usually not. Personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) normally only includes tame small animals such as cats, rabbits or pet birds. Dogs and horses usually need a separate contract, because they are regarded as animals that pose a risk of their own. The animal clause in your terms will tell you where you stand.
What does unintended mating mean?
This refers to costs that arise if your animal unexpectedly produces offspring, such as vet or rearing costs for the other owner's animal. Many policies include this benefit, some with monetary limits or only for certain species. Whether it applies, and up to what amount, is set out in the terms.
Am I liable even if I am not at fault?
Yes. Strict liability under section 833 BGB applies to dogs and horses: you are liable for damage caused by your animal even if you did everything right – and without any upper limit. This is exactly the risk that animal owner's liability insurance covers.
Do I need animal liability insurance for a cat?
Usually not. Cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and pet birds count as tame small animals and are normally covered by personal liability insurance. Still check the animal clause in your terms, especially for exotic animals.
What cover limit makes sense?
Choose a lump-sum cover limit for personal injury, property damage and financial loss in the millions – many policies offer €10 million or more. The statutory minimum amounts in some federal states are usually much lower and often not enough for serious personal injuries.