Comparison Table: Dalma vs. Agila at a Glance
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Dalma and Agila in Direct Comparison
Agila is an established traditional insurer with a broad tariff offering; Dalma is a digital newcomer with flexible package design. At first glance, both offer strong cover. But on medical treatment, dental cover, preventive care, excess, prostheses, and complementary medicine, six decisive differences emerge.
1. Medical Treatment: Full Benefit or Capped at €1,100?
This is the most significant difference. With Agila, medical treatments – i.e. all veterinary measures excluding surgery – are capped at a maximum of €1,100 per year even in the best tariff (animal health cover Exclusive). In the mid-range tariff, it is only €600; in the cheapest, only €500. This affects everything that comes up most frequently in everyday life: gastrointestinal problems, skin conditions, allergies, heart problems, neurological symptoms, blood counts, ultrasound, or inpatient stays.
With Dalma, there is no separate cap for medical treatments. The entire annual maximum benefit (€1,500 to unlimited) is available for all treatments – whether surgery or medical treatment. Particularly with chronic or complex conditions, a cap of €1,100 can quickly become a problem.
Concrete example: Your dog develops allergic dermatitis. Diagnostics with blood count, allergy test, and ultrasound cost €800. The subsequent medication treatment over several months costs a further €600.
- With Dalma: The entire €1,400 is reimbursed within the scope of the annual maximum benefit.
- With Agila (Exclusive): A maximum of €1,100 is reimbursed. You bear the remaining €300 yourself – plus all further medical treatments in this insurance year.
2. Dental Cover and Preventive Care: Included or Add-on?
With Dalma, medically necessary dental treatments (FORL, gingivitis, periodontitis) are automatically included in the health cover after a 12-month waiting period. The preventive care budget (€70 or €100) is available from day 1 – for vaccinations, deworming, descaling, and even castration.
With Agila, dental treatments, preventive care, and physiotherapy/alternative therapies are only available as paid add-ons ("Additional cover"). This means: without a surcharge, these benefits are not part of the insurance cover. If you want full cover with Agila, you need to add up the basic tariff and the add-ons – which increases the monthly contribution accordingly.
3. Excess in Old Age: Automatic or Not?
With Agila, a 20% excess applies to all insured events from the 5th year of life (dog) or 8th year of life (cat) – in all tariffs, including Exclusive. This can add up significantly for older animals that need to visit the vet more frequently.
With Dalma, there is no age-related excess. The chosen reimbursement rate (80% or 100%) applies permanently. The only age adjustment with Dalma: from the 10th year of life, the reimbursement rate for illness decreases by 5% per year – this is clearly communicated and only affects a significantly later stage of life.
Calculation example: Your 6-year-old dog needs treatment costing €2,000 (of which €1,000 surgery, €1,000 medical treatment).
- With Dalma (100% package): The entire €2,000 is reimbursed (within the scope of the annual maximum benefit).
- With Agila (Exclusive): 20% excess = €400 out-of-pocket. Plus: medical treatment capped at €1,100, of which possibly only €200 remaining. You bear significantly more yourself.
4. Complementary Medicine, Behavioural Therapy, and Prostheses
Dalma covers the costs of alternative therapies (physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy) without a session limit, provided they are vet-prescribed. Added to this are up to 5 hours of behavioural therapy per insurance year and a once-only reimbursement of up to €500 for prostheses or implants.
With Agila, physiotherapy and alternative therapies are only available as a paid add-on. In the basic tariff, physiotherapy is only included within the scope of post-operative care. Prostheses and implants for the musculoskeletal system are generally not reimbursed by Agila. Agila provides no separate information on behavioural therapy.
5. Flexibility: Package Design and Admission Age
Both providers offer surgical and health insurance as well as liability. With Dalma, you can freely combine the reimbursement rate (80% or 100%) and annual maximum benefit (€1,500 to unlimited). Agila also offers individual configuration of insured sum and excess with the new Flex tariff – however, the medical treatment cap remains in place.
On admission age, Agila is more restrictive: dogs may be a maximum of 7 years old (cats 9 years, TKS 24: max. 4 years). Dalma accepts dogs and cats up to before their 9th birthday. Agila does, however, offer the option of accepting animals with pre-existing conditions after review (affected treatments then excluded) – this is not possible with Dalma.
6. Experience, Awards, and Service
Agila has been in the market for over 30 years and has been repeatedly awarded by Focus Money as "Fairest Claims Handler" (ServiceValue: "Very Good"). The TÜV Nord certificate for customer satisfaction and the cooperation with over 1,000 vet practices for direct billing are clear strengths. In addition, Agila offers a special road traffic accident cover from day 1 without a waiting period.
Dalma is newer to the market but is growing rapidly and, with approx. 4.6 stars on Trustpilot (3,800+ reviews), has a higher average rating than Agila (approx. 4.0 stars, 3,770 reviews). With 48h reimbursement, FirstVet telemedicine, and the fully digital process via the app, Dalma focuses on speed and ease of use.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Who Does Each Provider Suit?
Dalma may be particularly well-suited to you if you:
- Need medical treatment cover without a cap (Agila: max. €1,100 even in the best tariff)
- Need dental cover for your cat or dog (FORL, gingivitis automatically in the package)
- Don't want an age-related excess (Agila: 20% from 5th/8th year of life)
- Want preventive care and alternative therapies in the package without surcharge
- Want prostheses or implants covered (up to €500)
- Want to insure a dog between 7 and 9 years old (Agila: max. 7 years)
- Want to permanently select 100% reimbursement without age-related excess
- Want to insure multiple animals (15% multi-pet discount)
Agila may be right for you if you:
- Value an experienced, established insurer with over 30 years of market presence
- Want to use direct billing at the vet
- Want to insure an animal with pre-existing conditions (possible after review)
- Need road traffic accident cover from day 1 without a waiting period
- Your animal is under 5 years old (then no excess with Agila Exclusive)
- Prefer personal customer service by telephone or chat
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Quick Test: Dalma or Agila?
If the following points matter to you:
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
What Makes Dalma Special?
Dalma is a fully digital pet insurer with over 60,000 insured animals in Europe:
✓ No medical treatment cap: The full annual maximum benefit applies to all treatments – surgery and medical treatment without separate limits.
✓ 80% or 100% reimbursement: Permanently selectable, without age-related excess.
✓ Dental cover included: FORL, gingivitis, periodontitis automatically in health cover after 12 months.
✓ Cancellation waiver: From the 2nd contract year, no cancellation right following a claim.
✓ Preventive care budget from day 1: Up to €100/year for vaccinations, deworming, descaling, castration.
✓ Alternative therapies unlimited: Physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy – included, not as an add-on.
✓ Behavioural therapy: Up to 5h/year, vet-prescribed (health cover).
✓ Prostheses/implants: Once-only up to €500 per animal.
✓ 48h reimbursement: Operational target: reimburse approved invoices within 48 hours.
✓ GOT up to 4-times rate: Clearly communicated – also for emergency service fees.
✓ Telemedicine included: Unlimited video consultations via FirstVet – voluntary and free of charge.
✓ Worldwide international cover: Entire contract duration, not limited to 12 months.
✓ Liability insurance available.
✓ 15% multi-pet discount for multiple animals.
✓ Approx. 4.6 stars on Trustpilot (3,800+ reviews).
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Conclusion: Dalma or Agila?
Agila is an experienced, established insurer with solid benefits, fast claims handling, and multiple awards. Direct billing, road traffic accident cover from day 1, and the option of accepting animals with pre-existing conditions are clear strengths. At the same time, you should be aware that medical treatments are capped at €1,100 even in the best tariff, dental cover and preventive care are only available as add-ons, and a 20% excess applies from the 5th year of life (dog).
Dalma is the more suitable choice for many pet owners when unlimited medical treatment cover, automatic dental cover, and no age-related excess are the priority. The combination of permanently selectable 100% reimbursement, included preventive care, unlimited alternative therapies, prosthesis reimbursement, 48-hour reimbursement target, and flexible package design makes Dalma a compelling option – whether for a dog, a cat, or both.
Still unsure? In addition to Dalma and Agila, there are other strong providers on the German market. In our dog health insurance comparison and cat health insurance comparison, we have compiled all important tariffs, benefits, and prices for you.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dalma vs. Agila
Why are medical treatments capped with Agila?
Agila separates between surgical benefits and medical treatments in the classic tariffs. While surgical costs in the animal health cover Exclusive are unlimited, the budget for outpatient and inpatient treatments without surgery is a maximum of €1,100 per year. In the mid-range tariff it is €600, in the cheapest €500. With Dalma, this separation does not exist – the full annual maximum benefit is available for all treatments.
Is dental cover included with Dalma?
Yes. FORL, gingivitis, and periodontitis are automatically included in the health cover after a 12-month waiting period. With Agila, dental cover is only available as a paid add-on – it is not part of the basic tariff.
Is it true that Agila charges an excess from a certain age?
Yes. From the 5th year of life (dog) or 8th year of life (cat), a 20% excess applies to all insured events with Agila in all tariffs. With Dalma, this age-related excess does not exist. The only age adjustment with Dalma is a reduction of the reimbursement rate by 5% per year from the 10th year of life for illness.
Is Dalma or Agila more affordable?
Prices depend on the type of animal, breed, and age. Agila starts from approx. €29/month (animal health cover Basic); the Exclusive tariff starts from approx. €70–80/month. Dalma starts from approx. €4.99 (surgery) and €15.99 (health cover). When comparing prices, you should note: Dalma includes dental cover, preventive care, and alternative therapies without surcharge – with Agila, these features cost extra. A fair comparison should always take into account the total price including add-ons.
How do the waiting periods differ?
Dalma: 14 days (surgery), 30 days (illness), 2 days (accident), 12 months (HD/ED/FORL), 18 months (patellar luxation). Agila: 1 month general, 6 months for special conditions. Agila advantage: accident and preventive care from day 1 without waiting period. Dalma advantage: surgery waiting period only 14 days instead of 1 month, accident only 2 days.
Can I insure physiotherapy and alternative therapies with Agila?
Yes, but only as a paid add-on. In the basic tariff, physiotherapy is only included within the scope of post-operative care. With Dalma, physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, and homeopathy are included in the health cover without a session limit – provided they are vet-prescribed.
Does Agila cover the costs for prostheses?
No. Prostheses and implants for the musculoskeletal system are not reimbursed by Agila. With Dalma, there is a once-only reimbursement of up to €500 per animal for prostheses and implants.
What is the road traffic accident cover with Agila?
Agila offers special cover for accidents in public road traffic: all treatment costs are covered from day 1 without a waiting period, within the scope of the surgical insured sum. With Dalma, a general accident waiting period of 2 days applies.
Which provider has better international cover?
Dalma offers worldwide international cover for the entire contract duration. Agila also offers worldwide cover, but limited to a maximum of 12 consecutive months.
How quickly does Dalma reimburse?
Operational commitment: 48 hours after approval of all documents. Submission fully digitally via the Dalma app.
Can I only take out surgical insurance with Dalma?
No, Dalma offers a pure surgical insurance, comprehensive health cover, and the option of liability insurance – for dogs and cats.
Is there a multi-pet discount?
With Dalma, you receive a 15% discount on the cheapest contract. With Agila, there is a 50% combination discount on liability when you simultaneously take out animal health cover or surgical cost cover.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Sources and Further Links
Dalma
- dalma.co/en-de – Calculate your quote
- dalma.co/en-de/blog/dog-health-insurance-comparison
- dalma.co/en-de/blog/cat-health-insurance-comparison
- de.trustpilot.com/review/dalma.co
Agila
- agila.de – Homepage & tariff overview
- agila.de/versicherungen/hundeversicherung/hundekrankenversicherung – Dog health insurance
- agila.de/versicherungen/katzenversicherung/katzenkrankenversicherung – Cat health insurance
- agila.de/versicherungen/tierkrankenschutz-tarife – Tariff comparison
- kontakt.agila.de/hc/de – Help centre (FAQ, benefits, waiting periods)
- de.trustpilot.com/review/agila.de – Trustpilot reviews
- dogtorance.de/blogposts/agila-tierkrankenversicherung-im-check – Independent test report
Note: This comparison refers to publicly communicated product information and documents from Agila and Dalma. Contributions and benefits may vary depending on age, breed, health status, and package choice. As of: 11 March 2026.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
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