A Complete Guide to Dog Liability Insurance in Spain: Coverage and Benefits

Pets are more than just an extra being in your home: they become a treasured part of the family. And if yours has a furry friend, you’re not alone: an estimated third of Spanish households have a cat or dog on premises – totaling around 14 million.

Pet ownership in Spain comes with responsibilities, including ensuring your pet does not cause harm to people, other animals, or property. As of September 2023, dog liability insurance is now a legal requirement in Spain and provides financial security for dog owners, particularly if the animal causes an accident or bodily harm. Whether you have a small companion dog or a large breed, choosing the right dog liability insurance policy might be on your mind.

This guide explains what dog liability insurance is, why it is essential, what liability insurance covers and at what cost.

Is dog liability insurance mandatory in Spain?

Codified into law on September 29, 2023, Spain’s Animal Welfare Law requires all dog owners to have liability insurance, regardless of breed, size or age. Previously, insurance coverage was mandatory only for potentially dangerous dogs. So, your neighbor María didn’t have to have any sort of coverage for her Yorkshire but José would have needed it for a Staffordshire.

Dogs between 3 months and 9 years of age must be covered with pet insurance that includes civil liability insurance; those who own cats or other pets do not need to have obligatory pet insurance, though it could be a cost-effective way to be sure that your furry friend leads a healthy and full life, especially if you happen to have a menagerie.

What does an insurance policy for dogs cover in Spain?

Pet insurance is a type of coverage that helps you as a pet owner to manage the costs of veterinary care for your beloved companion. Just as you would contract health insurance for yourself and your family, pet insurance typically covers a portion of the costs associated with veterinary services, including illness, accidents, and sometimes even routine preventive care.

There are different types of pet insurance coverage, including accident-only coverage, illness coverage, and comprehensive coverage that includes both accidents and illnesses. Some policies also offer optional add-ons for specific conditions or services, such as cremation.

A typical dog liability insurance policy in Spain includes:

• Third-party bodily injury to cover medical costs if your dog bites or injures a person or even another animal.
• Damage to property to pay for repairs or replacements if your dog damages another person’s property.
• Legal expenses to cover lawyer fees and court costs if a claim is made against you.
• Personal accidents may also include coverage for injuries sustained by the owner while handling the animal.
• As previously mentioned, civil liability coverage is now mandatory by law for all dogs between the ages of three months and nine years, and your pet must be covered if it damages a person or property. The new animal welfare law has eradicated the list of dangerous dog breeds but does study the largest breeds and whether they should be in homes or not.

Many pet insurance policies allow you to choose your preferred veterinarian, as long as that professional is licensed.

Be aware that exclusions apply: there may be aspects the pet insurance does not cover. Pre-existing conditions are often excluded, and there may be waiting periods before certain coverage takes effect. Additionally, coverage does not usually include incidents involving negligence, intentional harm, or damages caused by non-registered dogs.

I want to protect my pet with dog liability insurance. How can I, and what does it cost?

Being a responsible pet owner starts with you.

You can obtain coverage through:

• Pet insurance providers (e.g., Caser MIMAscota)
• Home insurance policies (some include pet liability as an add-on)
• Standalone dog liability insurance plans

Cost depends on a few factors, such as the dog’s breed, size and age as well as the coverage limit you choose; most dog owners choose to take a policy that covers between 150,000 and 300,000€.

Pet owners pay a monthly or annual premium to the insurance provider. There may also be a deductible, or the amount the pet owner must pay out of pocket before the insurance coverage becomes effective. Higher premiums often come with lower deductibles, and vice versa.

When you incur veterinary expenses, you typically pay the full bill upfront. Afterward, you submit a claim to the insurance company and receive reimbursement for the prices you covered at the time of payment.

Aim to spend about 25€ - 100€ annually for a policy without any extras. You may also opt to take additional coverage for vet bills, travel insurance for any trips you take outside of Spain,

What about other animals?

While not all animals must be covered, by law, by insurance, speak to your broker about bundling coverage for your entire zoo.

Like you would before when purchasing health or car insurance, carefully review the terms, coverage limits, exclusions, and any other details to ensure that the policy meets your specific needs and preferences.

Does Caser Seguros offer pet insurance?

Yes! Caser proudly offers insurance coverage for your furry friend via the MIMAscota insurance plans in various coverage levels to best serve you and your pet. Currently, this coverage is only available for cats and dogs.

When choosing Caser MIMAscota insurance, you’ll have a network of more than 300 clinics in the network, plus knowing that your pet’s age and breed are not restrictions when it comes to your pet’s care and wellbeing.

Caser’s most basic coverage plan, MIMAscota con Responsabilidad Civil, will set you up with mandatory civil responsibility insurance for only 3,90€ a month (that’s less than 50€ a year!). You get the following benefits:

• Civil liability of up to 350,000€ + legal defense in the case of damages incurred
• Tele veterinarian at any time, 24/7
• Online consultations with one of Caser Vet’s professionals
• Coverage for all breeds and all ages
• Coverage throughout Spain
• The ability to add bespoke options according to your pet’s (and your wallet’s!) needs
  
  

If you’d like to keep vet bills under control, consider the MIMAscota with Health Plan or with Premium Health Plan. In addition to the benefits listed above, Health Plan includes unlimited consultations and check-ups – including in emergency situations, plus coverage of rabies and tetravalent vaccines. This all-in-one plan is only 232€ a year and has no exclusions for breeds or for pre-existing conditions or health issues.

Finally, MIMAscota Premium Health Plan also includes all universal vaccinations and a full, annual battery of check-ups and revisions for 330€ annually.

None of Caser’s range of benefits have a wait period, with the exception of remains incineration (3 months), so you can begin using your plan from Day 1!

You can calculate your MIMAscota insurance on Caser’s website and explore bundles with your annual Caser health, home or automotive insurance for additional savings. Should you have more than one pet, Caser offers discounts on each additional furry friend on your policy. So, if you’re going to protect your whole family, you should protect your beloved pet, too!

The takeaway: why should I consider dog liability insurance?

Aside from being a mandatory protection matter for dogs, pet insurance and dog civil liability protection can be a valuable financial tool for you when it comes to managing unexpected veterinary expenses and meet civil liability requirements, no matter what scaly, furry or feathered friend lives in your house.