Hello! If you own a pet, you surely know how important it is to take care of their health and safety. Dogs in particular can suffer from various diseases or get injured in accidents, which can lead to high vet bills. This is where dog health insurance and dog surgery insurance come into play.

Dog health insurance or dog surgery insurance?

Dog health insurance typically covers the cost of vet visits, diagnostics, medications and treatments in the event of an illness or injury. Depending on the insurance, preventive examinations such as vaccinations or neutering may also be included. The advantage of such insurance is that if your dog has an unexpected health problem, you won't have to pay for the entire cost.

In contrast, dog surgery insurance only covers the cost of surgical procedures. This means that for illnesses or injuries that don't require surgery, you'll have to cover the costs yourself. However, the cost of surgery can be very high, especially if it is complex or requires a long recovery time. So, dog surgery insurance can help you reduce these costs and provide for the worst-case scenario.

Both types of insurance have their advantages and disadvantages. If you're particularly concerned about your dog's health and want to be prepared for all possible scenarios, dog health insurance can make sense. On the other hand, if you think surgery is most likely or already have problems that may require surgery, dog surgery insurance may be a better choice. In any case, you should carefully compare the terms and benefits of insurance policies and, if in doubt, seek the advice of an expert to make the best decision for your dog.

A current topic

Our dogs are our best friends and we want them to live a long, happy life. But unfortunately, there are many dangers that threaten our dogs, and not all of them are due to diseases or accidents. In many cases, certain diseases are pre-programmed because we humans have chosen to modify certain breeds through overbreeding. We have engineered our dogs to look unnatural, putting them at higher risk for health problems.

The malicious software is in the genes and was written by us humans because we prefer certain traits in dogs that are often detrimental to their health. We want dogs with short legs or extremely shortened noses that then suffer from shortness of breath and respiratory problems. We want dogs that look like stretch limousines, risking back problems. These overbred dogs win coveted prizes at dog shows, but they have to suffer their shortened lives.

A sad example is the Pug, which often suffers from shortness of breath and excruciating shortness of breath due to its shortened nose. In larger breeds of dogs, hip dysplasia (HD) is a common condition that leads to painful limitations in mobility. More and more dogs, not only German shepherds, are affected. Without dog surgery insurance or dog health insurance, treatment can become very expensive and sometimes a dog owner has no choice but to have their beloved pet put down.

If you choose an overbred dog breed, you can expect your dog to need medical treatment sooner or later. It is important to purchase dog insurance to have financial security and to provide your dog with the best possible care and treatment. Dog insurance can help lower the cost of vet visits, medications, and surgeries, and give you and your dog the support you need during difficult times.

Overall, it's important to consider your dog's health when choosing one, and be aware that certain breeds are more susceptible to certain diseases due to overbreeding. Dog health insurance can help lower medical costs and allow your dog to live a longer, healthier life.

Are there waiting periods for insurance?

In most cases, actual coverage under a dog health insurance policy begins later than the policy start date stated in the certificate of insurance. For most insurance companies, the reimbursement obligation for treatment costs and surgical interventions does not start until three months after the start of insurance, the so-called waiting period. However, there are exceptions, such as pension coverage or acute medical assistance in the event of an unexpected accident, where insurance companies provide full protection up to the agreed coverage amount from day one.

The introduction of the waiting period serves not only as a harassment of policyholders, but also for their protection. Without a waiting period, any dog owner who finds themselves in a situation where they need to have their dog medically treated would quickly sign up for dog health insurance. This would constantly place a heavy burden on the community of insureds and, as a result, premiums would become unaffordable. In the three months before the start of the insurance coverage, no one can know if his dog will get sick. For this reason, the insurance policies are taken out for healthy dogs, which helps to strengthen the insured community.

What benefits does the insurance offer?

It is advisable to compare dog health insurance policies, as the benefits can vary significantly among different providers. Differences can be seen, for example, in the reimbursement rates for veterinary fees and the maximum compensation limit per insurance year. As a rule, a comprehensive dog health insurance policy offers comprehensive protection in which almost all veterinary measures are reimbursed, up to the maximum limit specified in the contract. As with private health insurance, dog health insurance policies have maximum benefit limits per year, and if these limits are exceeded, the dog owner must pay the balance himself.

Different physician services are valued differently, which is reflected in different reimbursement rates. Generally, bills can be successfully submitted for a variety of services, including medications, surgical procedures, diagnostics, homeopathic treatments (depending on the plan), follow-up care, physical therapies, veterinary fees, boarding costs and preventive care.

Most canine health insurance plans allow free choice of veterinarian, but it is beneficial for the animal to already know the doctor and practice. However, the canine health insurance company may question a finding and assign a veterinarian of their choice to perform an examination if there is any doubt about the medical necessity of the treatment. Whether the vet's fee is covered up to three times the GOT rate depends on the plan chosen. Some dog health insurance plans also offer worldwide foreign coverage. In this case, the dog owner must first pay the bills abroad himself and can then submit them to the insurance company after returning home. It is possible to extend the dog health insurance individually with additional modules if required. All these aspects can be taken into account when comparing dog health insurance policies.

What is the fee schedule for veterinarians all about?

Veterinarians, including veterinary clinics, must prepare their accounts in accordance with a fee schedule, similar to that used by human doctors. This fee schedule is called the "Gebührenordnung für Tierärzte" (GOT) and has been required by law since July 1999. The veterinarian must adhere to the billing rates for diagnostics, treatment and surgery set forth in the GOT. The GOT was last adjusted in July 2017, resulting in an average increase in compensation of about twelve percent.

Such a fee schedule protects consumers from excessive claims and prevents an aggressive price war among veterinarians and veterinary clinics, as no one can make unrealistically low offers. However, there are margins in which a GOT rate may be doubled or even tripled under certain circumstances. It is now common to take double the rate, while triple the rate is used for emergencies and severe surgeries. The GOT is divided into basic services, special services and organ systems, which is probably due to the special structure of the fee schedule.

Do I also need such insurance abroad?

For those who like to travel frequently with their dog, it is important that their pet insurance covers veterinary visits abroad. In fact, this is common practice with many providers. However, it is recommended that you specifically check with your dog's health insurance provider before traveling to ensure that the destination country is indeed covered. In addition, the coverage period may be limited. If you plan to stay abroad for six or even twelve months, it is best to check with your dog's health insurance company to see if such long durations are accepted.

If you plan to live abroad permanently with your dog, it is advisable to take a closer look at the "Agila OP Kosten Schutz Exklusiv" tariff of the Agila dog health insurance. This tariff covers the costs of dog surgeries worldwide for an unlimited amount, provided that the insured has a German address and a German bank account.

If your dog needs medical treatment abroad, you have to pay the bill in advance. This receipt is an important document that you can later submit to your dog's health insurance company. It is best to include a brief explanation. Sometimes it is helpful to have the bill translated so that the dog's health insurance company can better assess whether the claim is actually valid in this case. Therefore, it is in your best interest to ensure that the receipt is sufficiently detailed with the veterinarian's information. A small, illegible handwritten receipt may not be sufficient.

Dog health insurance in comparison

In Germany, dog health insurance is still a comparatively young insurance product and accordingly the number of providers is still limited. Nevertheless, there are significant differences in the design of the tariffs of the individual companies. An important factor here is the reimbursement rate according to the scale of fees for veterinarians (GOT), which in some tariffs is nowhere near three times the rate. In addition, some insurers require a veterinary examination of the dog before signing a contract.

When comparing dog health insurance plans, you should also pay attention to the following points:

Annual maximum benefits are shown in the tariffs, which limit the reimbursement sum per year. All benefits are summarized here, including preventive examinations, outpatient and inpatient treatments, operations and aftercare or rehabilitation measures. Many plans have deductibles, while some exclude deductibles altogether.

Inpatient treatments as well as aftercare measures should be explicitly included in the dog health insurance. This may involve a lengthy stay at an expensive veterinary hospital, if necessary. Many tariffs limit the financial support for inpatient accommodation to a maximum of 15 days. Unlimited inpatient treatment at the veterinary hospital can be specifically insured, but it also comes at a price.

Some insurers have problems with certain breeds of dogs. Fighting dogs, for example, can come with risk surcharges, if the company insures such dogs at all. Other dog breeds are known for their susceptibility to certain diseases, which doesn't necessarily make insurance any easier.

What can you save on?

An important term associated with dog health insurance is the "benefit discount." This discount is given if the insurance has not been used in the entire year. In this case, some providers increase their benefit cap for the following year based on the amount shown in the policy. This can mean that pet owners may finally be able to have the surgery recommended by the veterinarian without having to worry about high co-payments. The system is similar to that of automobile liability insurance, where premiums rise or fall depending on how much is claimed.

If you pay the entire annual premium for dog health insurance in advance, this means less administrative work for the company, which is usually reflected in a lower premium. It is the same with the duration of the contract: the longer the duration is fixed when the contract is signed, the cheaper the annual premium usually is. Loyal customers are also sometimes granted special conditions. For a one-year dog health insurance, the cancellation must be made in writing at least three months before the last day of insurance. It is advisable to use registered mail with return receipt for this purpose in order to receive confirmation.

A significant deductible can have a favorable effect on premiums. For example, if you can cover veterinary costs yourself up to an amount of 100 euros, you should specify this as the limit of the deductible. The insurance will then only become obligatory if an invoice exceeds the amount of 100 euros. The amount of the invoice minus the 100 Euro deductible is then reimbursed.

For guide dogs, protection dogs and rescue dogs, most dog health insurances grant attractive discounts. If you register another dog with the same company in addition to such an animal, you can also expect a concession on the premium. Sometimes a second policy can even be waived if the existing dog health insurance is simply expanded to include the new addition. The resulting reduced administrative burden is then also reflected in the premium. If a dog is given to another person or to an animal shelter, the contract can be cancelled directly due to the omission of the "object of insurance". However, credible documents on the whereabouts of the animal must be provided, such as a letter from the veterinarian or a sales document. Premiums already paid in advance will then be refunded.