Dog Insurance Glossary in Russian: Key German Terms

5 March 2025

Мы обожаем собак и хотим, чтобы они жили долгой, здоровой и счастливой жизнью. Во многом это зависит от своевременного и качественного ветеринарного ухода. Однако ветеринарные услуги в Германии могут оказаться довольно дорогими — цены ветеринара по GOT и виды полисов мы разобрали в общем обзоре страхования животных. Именно поэтому многие владельцы четвероногих друзей оформляют медицинскую страховку для собак. Она может покрывать либо лечение, либо операции, а для максимальной защиты лучше выбрать полис, включающий оба варианта.

You can read more about the tariffs and what is included in dog insurance in this article:

More details

In this guide, we will break down the key terms used by insurance companies when taking out dog insurance in Germany.

Important German terms in dog insurance

Pet insurance for dogs

The policy may include treatment and/or surgical expenses. In the event of illness, injury or surgical intervention, the insurance company will reimburse the cost of treatment. Depending on the tariff, the insurance may also cover routine check-ups and vaccination.

Pet surgery insurance

This type of insurance covers operations only and does not include outpatient treatment costs. Such an insurance option is generally cheaper.

Operations unlimited

Insurance covers surgical procedures up to a certain amount. The higher the cover limit, the better protected your pet is. We recommend choosing a policy without limits, as it is difficult to predict the cost of surgery in advance.

Unlimited treatments

The policy covers medical expenses per year up to a set limit. The optimal coverage amount is from €10,000 per year.

Scale of Fees for Veterinarians GOT | Veterinary fee coefficient

This coefficient determines the cost of veterinary services provided. The price depends on the complexity of the procedure, the time taken, urgency, and the day of the week (for example, appointments at the weekend cost more). The best insurance option is one with GOT 3 or GOT 4 cover.

Excess | Deductible

An excess is the amount that the policyholder pays themselves, while the insurance company covers the remaining part of the bill. An excess can be a fixed amount or a percentage. For example, with a bill of 1,000 euros and an excess of 250 euros, the insurance company will pay 750 euros. The lower the excess, the higher the monthly premiums.

Neutering/sterilisation (non-medically necessary)

This clause specifies whether the insurance covers the castration or sterilisation of the dog if it is not medically necessary. The reimbursement amount for such a procedure is often capped at a certain limit (e.g. 100 euros).

Health checks | Preventive examinations

Routine health checks allow diseases to be detected at an early stage and help keep your pet healthy. As part of the annual examination, the vet assesses the dog’s condition and, if necessary, prescribes additional tests, such as a blood test.

Medicines

This section of the policy indicates whether the costs of vet-prescribed medications are covered.

Diagnosis before treatment

If this item is included in the insurance policy, the insurance company will pay for X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, CT scans and other diagnostic procedures.

Stay in veterinary hospital

This clause specifies how many days the insurance covers for a dog’s stay in a veterinary hospital.

Stable contribution in senior dogs

As you age, the risk of illness increases, and insurance premiums may rise. Having this clause in the policy guarantees that the increase in the cost of insurance will be gradual.

Emergency care during out-of-hours service | Payment for emergency care outside regular veterinary practice hours

A visit to the vet at night, at the weekend or on public holidays is more expensive. This item indicates up to what GOT level the insurance company will cover such expenses.

Refund of the emergency service fee

Some insurance companies reimburse a fixed amount (for example, €50) for an emergency appointment outside working hours.

General qualifying period | Waiting time

After taking out the insurance policy, the insurance company will only start covering costs after a waiting period, which is usually 30 days.

Special qualifying period

For certain illnesses and congenital conditions, the insurance company applies a special waiting period (for example, 12 months) before it starts covering expenses.

Taking out pet health insurance for dogs in Germany is a sensible step for owners who want to ensure their pet receives timely veterinary care without unexpected financial costs. Various insurance options are available, ranging from full coverage for treatment and operations to more budget-friendly tariffs that only include surgical interventions. When choosing a policy, it is important to consider the coverage conditions, potential limitations, the excess amount and additional services, such as routine check-ups and emergency care. A well-chosen insurance policy will provide your dog with the best medical care and give you financial peace of mind.