On 29 September the brand new Animal Welfare Law got here into drive in Spain, particularly Law 7/2023 of 28 March on the safety of the rights and welfare of animals. This regulation, amongst different directives, requires that each one canine house owners take out civil legal responsibility insurance coverage.
In this submit, we’ll clarify what obligatory canine insurance coverage is, how a lot it prices, and what it contains.
What is canine civil legal responsibility insurance coverage?
The obligatory canine insurance coverage launched by the brand new Animal Welfare Act is, in essence, a civil legal responsibility insurance coverage. It additionally covers injury that the pet might trigger to 3rd events (folks or property). Until now, this insurance coverage was solely obligatory for dogs of probably harmful breeds.
What does obligatory canine insurance coverage cowl?
This insurance coverage covers the legal responsibility of the pet proprietor and that of an occasional handler, e.g. somebody who takes care of or walks the canine.
Regarding the protections included on this coverage, the obvious is that it protects the proprietor if the animal had been to chew a person or one other canine or trigger property injury. In this case, the civil legal responsibility insurance coverage would pay compensation, supplied that the incident was in a roundabout way the proprietor’s fault (i.e. if the canine had been free in a place it’s forbidden, or not carrying a muzzle if it’s a doubtlessly harmful breed, and many others.).
Some home insurance coverage insurance policies embrace pet legal responsibility for incidents inside and outdoors the home. Others ask for an additional to supply this safety.
In addition, there are particular insurance coverage insurance policies for dogs which, along with civil legal responsibility, cowl veterinary help, compensation within the occasion of loss or theft of the animal, or authorized defence if the canine is the topic of a grievance.
The quantity insured varies relying on the insurance coverage firm with which the coverage is taken out and the canine’s breed. It will often cowl between €60,000 and €300,000.
How a lot does obligatory canine insurance coverage cost?
Civil legal responsibility insurance coverage for dogs prices between €25 and €30 per 12 months; round €50 for doubtlessly harmful breeds of canine, similar to pit bulls, American Staffordshire, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Presa Canario, Bull Terrier, Doberman, and many others. An insurance coverage coverage that features veterinary care might be priced nicely above €200 per 12 months.
When will canine insurance coverage grow to be obligatory?
Dog insurance coverage has been obligatory in Spain since 29 September 2023, when the brand new Animal Welfare Act turned efficient. For different pets, similar to cats or birds, it isn’t essential to take out this coverage.
What occurs if a canine doesn’t have insurance coverage?
The penalties you could face in case you are caught together with your canine with out obligatory insurance coverage rely upon the incident’s seriousness and the decision of the police officer who detects it.
This can vary from a warning or fines from €500 to €10,000 if the offence is detected after the canine has been concerned in an accident. In addition, within the latter case, you may be liable for compensation for the incident.
