On 29 September the new Animal Welfare Law came into force in Spain, specifically Law 7/2023 of 28 March on the protection of the rights and welfare of animals. This law, among other directives, requires that all dog owners take out civil liability insurance.
In this post, we'll explain what compulsory dog insurance is, how much it costs, and what it includes.
What is dog civil liability insurance?
The compulsory dog insurance introduced by the new Animal Welfare Act is, in essence, a civil liability insurance. It also covers damage that the pet may cause to third parties (people or property). Until now, this insurance was only compulsory for dogs of potentially dangerous breeds.
What does compulsory dog insurance cover?
This insurance covers the liability of the pet owner and that of an occasional handler, e.g. someone who looks after or walks the dog.
Regarding the protections included in this policy, the most obvious is that it protects the owner if the animal were to bite a person or another dog or cause property damage. In this situation, the civil liability insurance would pay compensation, provided that the incident was not directly the owner's fault (i.e. if the dog were loose in a place it is forbidden, or not wearing a muzzle if it is a potentially dangerous breed, etc.).
Some home insurance policies include pet liability for incidents inside and outside the home. Others ask for an extra to offer this protection.
In addition, there are specific insurance policies for dogs which, in addition to civil liability, cover veterinary assistance, compensation in the event of loss or theft of the animal, or legal defence if the dog is the subject of a complaint.
The amount insured varies depending on the insurance company with which the policy is taken out and the dog's breed. It will usually cover between €60,000 and €300,000.
How much does compulsory dog insurance cost?
Civil liability insurance for dogs costs between €25 and €30 per year; around €50 for potentially dangerous breeds of dog, such as pit bulls, American Staffordshire, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Presa Canario, Bull Terrier, Doberman, etc. An insurance policy that includes veterinary care could be priced well above €200 per year.
When will dog insurance become compulsory?
Dog insurance has been compulsory in Spain since 29 September 2023, when the new Animal Welfare Act became effective. For other pets, such as cats or birds, it is not necessary to take out this policy.
What happens if a dog does not have insurance?
The penalties you may face if you are caught with your dog without compulsory insurance depend on the incident's seriousness and the verdict of the police officer who detects it.
This can range from a warning or fines from €500 to €10,000 if the offence is detected after the dog has been involved in an accident. In addition, in the latter case, you will be responsible for compensation for the incident.
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