Civil liability insurance for dogs and cats

What is civil liability insurance?

There public liability is the obligation of a dog owner to repair damage caused to others by their animal. This warranty is generally included in your home insurance contract. Remember to check your contract carefully. This is sometimes an optional guarantee. L'dog civil liability insurance compensates a third party if they are injured, or if material damage is caused. Depending on the case, your liability as an owner may or may not be incurred.

L'civil liability insurance covers damage caused by your dog to a third party and takes care of:

• material damage: damaged furniture, torn clothing, etc.;
• the physical damage and health costs of the victim;
• the veterinary costs of the victim animal.

Good to know: Civil liability insurance for all your pets

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All domestic animals are covered by the civil liability guarantee: dogs, cats, NAC (new pets) and horses.

Damage caused by your animal: what responsibilities?

Depending on the case, your owner's responsibility can be engaged or not:

• If the incident takes place while your dog is in your care, you are responsible.
• If you entrust your dog during your vacation to a relative, the latter is responsible for it, under the transfer of custody in the event of an incident.
• If your dog is the cause of an incident while it was placed in a kennel or with a veterinarian, it is up to the legal managers of the establishment to assume responsibility, under the transfer of custody.
• In the event that your dog has bitten a passer-by, if the latter had previously irritated him, the responsibility will then be shared.
• If you entrust your animal to another person for a short period (a walk for example), in this case you retain your responsibility towards the animal.

Damage to your property or members of your family

You will not be able to be compensated if your animal causes damage to your home or to a member of your family covered by the insurance contract. The cost of caring for your dog is not included in this type of contract. To do this, you need to take out dog health insurance. Conversely, some health insurance companies offer dog liability insurance.

Physical damage to a third party

If your dog injures a person (fall, bite, etc.), the incident can result in physical damage with medical expenses, or even an inability to work. Your civil liability insurance then compensates the victim. Conversely, if you or a member of your family is injured by an animal that does not belong to you, the opposing insurance will be responsible for compensating you.

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Material damage caused to a third party

In case of damage to property belonging to others (breakage, deterioration, etc.), once the loss has been declared, the third-party victim will obtain compensation. The amount will be estimated according to the value of the damaged or destroyed property.

Damage if your dog gets lost or runs away from your home

If your dog gets lost or escapes of your home and it causes damage, you remain legally responsible.

Damage when practicing a sporting or hunting activity

You practice a sporting activity with your dog (sled racing, hunting, etc.)? Damage caused by your companion during this practice is not covered by your home insurance. If you have taken out insurance as part of your sports license or a hunting contract, this insurance covers damage that may be caused by your dog.

Is civil liability insurance compulsory?

For most dogs, liability insurance is optional, even if it offers you better security. On the other hand, dangerous dog insurance is compulsory for category 1 and 2 dogs as defined by law. These dogs are considered to have a greater potential for danger than their peers. This public liability is therefore intended to avoid financial risk if your animal is injured or damaged. If you have not taken out insurance of this type, medical and material costs are your responsibility.

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We recommend that you compare different insurance offers available. Check in particular:

• monthly contribution amounts;
• whether expenditure costs are covered;
• whether accidents occurring while practicing specific activities (sport, hunting, etc.) are covered;
• the amount of deductibles (the amount payable by you in the event of a claim);
• reimbursement ceilings (maximum amount reimbursed by insurance in the event of a claim).

The amount ofcivil liability insurance may vary depending on the breed of your dog.

Comparing these different criteria using our price comparator will help you to choose civil liability insurance for dogs according to your needs and your budget.

Dangerous dog civil liability: what are the specificities?

If your dog belongs to category 1 or 2, he may be excluded from the civil liability guarantee of your home insurance. However, civil liability insurance is compulsory for category 1 and 2 dogs. In fact, you must take out a specific insurance for this type of dog. It offers many advantages:

• The insurance applies to material damage and injuries to yourself or a third party. It covers property repairs but also medical costs;
• It reimburses your legal costs if proceedings are opened against you.

Be the owner of a category 1 or 2 dog imposes strict regulations on you:

• have a certificate of aptitude for keeping categorized dogs;
• carry out a behavioral assessment of the animal;
• have the dog vaccinated against rabies and sterilized;
• make a declaration to the town hall to obtain a detention permit;
• keep him on a leash with a muzzle obligatory in public places…

In the event of injury to a third party, if you have not subscribed to thecompulsory civil liability insurance for categorized dogs, you will have to reimburse the victim with your own funds for:

• cares ;
• moral and physical harm;
• damages.

This can be very expensive for you.

If it is most often optional, thecivil liability insurance is essential coverage to protect you if you own a pet. It can be included in your home contract or taken out as an option in most dog health insurance policies.