A dog bites someone, and the question is who pays. Dog liability insurance covers valid claims for which you are liable as the keeper, and it reviews each case against the terms of your policy. This guide explains when liability applies, what the insurance typically covers and what to check in your contract (in German).
Short answer: If your dog injures a person or damages someone else’s property, the keeper must pay compensation under section 833 sentence 1 of the German Civil Code (BGB). According to the wording of the provision, fault on the keeper’s part does not need to be proven. Dog liability insurance pays valid claims within the scope of your policy. Which damage is excluded and how far the cover goes is set out in your terms. Last updated: November 2026.
The Most Important Points
- The keeper of an animal is liable under section 833 sentence 1 BGB if the animal injures a person or damages property.
- For a dog that serves neither the keeper’s profession nor livelihood, the law provides no defence based on good supervision.
- Dog liability insurance reviews third-party claims and settles valid ones within the terms of the policy.
- Exclusions, duties after a loss and the sum insured determine in each case what is paid.
- Whether a dog liability insurance is compulsory depends on where you live. Your municipality can tell you the current position.
When Are You Liable as a Dog Keeper for a Bite?
Liability follows the damage your dog causes, not whether you did anything wrong. Under section 833 sentence 1 BGB, a person must be killed or suffer injury to body or health, or property must be damaged. Damage without these consequences does not fall under this provision. The table shows the two most common situations.
| Situation | Liability under section 833 sentence 1 BGB | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Dog bites a passer-by and injures them | The keeper must compensate the damage | Document the incident and have claims checked |
| Dog damages someone else’s property, such as a bicycle or a jacket | The keeper must compensate the damage | Collect evidence of the amount of damage |
Does Someone Have to Prove Fault?
According to the wording of sentence 1, fault on the part of the keeper is not a requirement. The statute provides an exception only for animals that are intended to serve the keeper’s profession, gainful employment or livelihood. Even then, the keeper must have observed the care required in the circumstances when supervising the animal, or the damage would have occurred even with that care. For a family or companion dog without this purpose, the exception does not apply.
What Does Dog Liability Insurance Pay in a Claim?
The insurer covers claims that an injured party makes against you as the keeper, as far as they are valid. The insurer examines unjustified claims before it pays. The terms and the agreed sum insured set the limits of cover. An overview of costs and benefits is available here: Dog liability insurance: what it costs and what it covers.
What Is Not Covered?
Exclusions are set out in the policy and differ between providers. Read the sections on exclusions, the sum insured and your duties after a loss in your terms. Where you breach such duties, the insurer may restrict its benefits. Whether this applies in your case depends on the circumstances, so it is worth checking your documents before a loss occurs.
How Does Reporting a Claim Work?
Report the incident to your insurer first and describe what happened as precisely as you can. The insurer reviews the documents, asks for further information where needed and then decides how the claim is settled. Do not discuss the claimant’s demands on your own, and do not admit them hastily, because the insurer decides which claims are valid. Forward any letters you receive to the insurer unchanged so that no deadline is missed.
It also helps to record the sequence of events in a factual way. A short, sober account with date, place and course of events serves your insurer better than an account that has to be corrected later.
What Should You Document After an Incident?
Good records make the settlement much easier. The following details help you and your insurer clarify the matter quickly:
- Date, time and place of the incident
- Name and contact details of the injured person or the owner of the damaged item
- Names and contact details of witnesses
- Photos of the injury, the damage and the location
- Invoices, medical records and cost estimates
Is Dog Liability Insurance Compulsory for My Dog?
Whether a dog liability insurance is compulsory depends on the law of the German federal state where you live. Your municipality or the local public order office can tell you the current position for your place of residence. This guide explains the rules by state (in German): Dog liability insurance: in which federal states it is compulsory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the insurance pay if I was not there when the dog bit someone?
Yes. Liability under section 833 sentence 1 BGB does not depend on whether you were supervising the dog at that moment. For a privately kept dog, the law does not provide a defence based on care. The insurer still examines the claim in each case, in particular the amount and the justification of the demand.
Do I have to report the incident immediately?
Report the loss to your insurer promptly. The deadline and the form are set out in your terms. Anyone who breaches duties after a loss risks a reduction of benefits. Note the date, place and people involved straight after the incident.
What does the sum insured mean?
The sum insured is the upper limit up to which the insurer covers a single loss. If the damage is higher, you bear the excess yourself. Check whether the agreed sum matches your risk and compare it with the figures in your contract.
Do I need dog liability insurance if my dog is small?
Liability under section 833 BGB does not distinguish by the size of the animal. Whether insurance is compulsory depends on state law and not on the size of the dog. Even where it is not compulsory, insurance can protect you from having to pay large claims out of your own pocket.
What to Do Now
- Check your policy: read the exclusions, the sum insured and the rules for reporting a loss.
- Ask your municipality whether dog liability insurance is compulsory where you live.
- After an incident, collect names, contact details, witnesses and photos straight away.
- Report the loss to your insurer promptly and keep to the deadlines in your terms.
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Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
