Comparison Table: Dalma vs. Barkibu at a Glance
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Dalma and Barkibu in Direct Comparison
Both providers are digital, app-based, and specialised in dogs and cats. But decisive differences emerge in reimbursement rate, dental cover, contract security, and international cover.
1. Reimbursement Rate: 100% Possible or Permanently Capped?
This is one of the biggest differences. With Dalma, you can choose between 80% and 100% reimbursement, and this rate remains in place permanently (with the age adjustment of −5%/year from the 10th year of life for illness).
Barkibu offers two tariffs: Barkibu 80 (80% reimbursement, €5,000 limit) and Barkibu 100 (advertised as 100%, unlimited). Crucially: from the 6th year of life (dog) or 8th year of life (cat), reimbursement in Barkibu 100 drops to 80%. There is therefore no Barkibu tariff that permanently reimburses 100% of costs. If a reliable full reimbursement matters to you, Dalma offers the clearer option here.
2. Dental Cover: Automatically Included or Only After Accident?
With Dalma, medically necessary dental treatments (FORL, gingivitis, periodontitis) are automatically included in the health cover after a 12-month waiting period. This is particularly relevant for cat owners, as FORL is one of the most common and most expensive conditions in cats.
With Barkibu, dental treatments are only covered following an accident. Chronic dental conditions such as FORL, gingivitis, or periodontitis are excluded from cover. If your cat or dog ever needs a dental treatment that is not accident-related, you bear the entire cost yourself with Barkibu.
Concrete example: Your cat is diagnosed with FORL in the 14th insurance month. The tooth extraction costs €1,200.
- With Dalma: The 12-month waiting period has expired. The costs are reimbursed within the scope of the annual maximum benefit.
- With Barkibu: FORL is excluded as a chronic dental condition. You bear the €1,200 entirely yourself.
3. Cancellation Protection: Clear Waiver or Just in the Advertising?
Dalma clearly and without restriction waives the extraordinary right to cancel following a settled claim from the 2nd contract year onwards. This is contractually anchored.
Barkibu also advertises a waiver of cancellation following a claim. However, according to the current terms and conditions, both parties have a right to cancel following a claim event in the first 4 contract years. This is a relevant difference you should be aware of before choosing a provider. Particularly in the case of larger claims in the first years, this can lead to uncertainty.
4. Flexibility: Individual Package or Fixed Comprehensive Cover?
Barkibu offers comprehensive cover in two tariffs – that is simple and straightforward. A separate surgical insurance or individually selectable annual maximum benefits are not available. Dog liability insurance is also not offered. With Dalma, you can choose between surgical insurance and health insurance, and individually adjust the reimbursement rate (80% or 100%) as well as the annual maximum benefit (€1,500 to unlimited) in the health cover. Dalma additionally offers liability insurance.
5. International Cover: Worldwide or EU Only?
Dalma offers worldwide international cover for the entire contract duration. Barkibu restricts cover to EU member states, Great Britain, and Andorra – and to a maximum of 6 months. If you regularly travel outside Europe or plan longer stays abroad, Dalma has a clear advantage here.
6. Complementary Medicine, Behavioural Therapy, and GOT Rate
Dalma covers the costs of alternative therapies (physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy) without a session limit, provided they are vet-prescribed. Barkibu limits complementary treatments to a maximum of 8 sessions per year. Dalma additionally offers up to 5 hours of behavioural therapy per insurance year – Barkibu provides no separate information on this.
On the GOT rate, Dalma communicates clearly: reimbursement up to the 4-times rate of the veterinary fee schedule. On Barkibu's reviewed product pages, no explicit reference to the reimbursed GOT rate can be found. This can become relevant in an emergency when the vet charges higher fee rates.
7. Preventive Care Budget: What's Actually Included?
When it comes to prevention, it's worth taking a close look at the fine print. Barkibu markets an integrated prevention plan – but according to their terms and conditions (version 12/2025), it covers only vaccinations and one annual check-up. Many costs that pet owners regularly face in everyday life are not reimbursable: tick and flea prevention products, therapeutic pet food (e.g. prescription diets for kidney disease or allergies), neutering or spaying costs, and preventive supplements. Barkibu also generally excludes any measures that cannot be traced back to an acute illness or accident.
With Dalma, these questions are handled transparently and upfront – the preventive care budget is clearly defined, and the benefits overview shows at a glance what is reimbursed and what isn't. If you plan to regularly invest in your pet's prevention, it's worth checking exactly how far each provider's offer actually goes.
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:
- Want permanently 100% reimbursement (not only up to the 6th or 8th year of life)
- Need dental cover for your cat or dog (FORL, gingivitis automatically in the package)
- Value clear cancellation protection from the 2nd contract year onwards
- Want to configure your package flexibly (surgery or health cover, selectable annual maximum benefit)
- Need worldwide international cover
- Want unlimited alternative therapies in the package
- Also want to take out liability insurance
- Want to insure multiple animals (15% multi-pet discount)
Barkibu may be right for you if you:
- Are looking for simple comprehensive cover without tariff configuration
- Want to use the Barkibu card for direct billing at the vet
- Want to insure an older animal (enrolment up to 10 years)
- Your animal only travels within Europe (EU international cover is sufficient)
- Can work well with 80% reimbursement
If reimbursement up to 100%, automatic dental cover, clear cancellation protection, and worldwide international cover matter more to you, Dalma can be the more coherent choice.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Quick Test: Dalma or Barkibu?
If the following points matter to you:
This decision aid does not replace individual advice, but gives you initial orientation.
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:
✓ 80% or 100% reimbursement: Permanently selectable and not capped from a certain age.
✓ 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 – clearly contractually anchored.
✓ Flexible package design: Reimbursement rate and annual maximum benefit (€1,500 to unlimited) individually selectable.
✓ 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 EU.
✓ Preventive care budget from day 1: Up to €100/year for vaccinations, deworming, descaling, castration.
✓ Alternative therapies unlimited: Physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy.
✓ Behavioural therapy: Up to 5h/year, vet-prescribed (health cover).
✓ 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 Barkibu?
Barkibu is a solid digital provider with a simple tariff structure, fast reimbursement, and the unique Barkibu card for direct billing. The higher admission age (up to 10 years) and strong Trustpilot ratings also speak in Barkibu's favour. At the same time, you should be aware that no tariff permanently reimburses 100%, dental conditions are only covered following an accident, and cancellation protection is restricted in the first 4 years according to the terms and conditions.
Dalma is the more suitable choice for many pet owners when reimbursement security, dental cover, and long-term contract security are the priority. The combination of permanently selectable 100% reimbursement, included dental cover, clear cancellation waiver, flexible package design, worldwide international cover, and 48-hour reimbursement target makes Dalma a compelling option – whether for a dog, a cat, or both.
Want to get an even broader picture? Our dog health insurance comparison and cat health insurance comparison show you all relevant insurers at a glance – including benefits comparison, waiting periods, and price overview.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dalma vs. Barkibu
Can I get 100% reimbursement with Barkibu?
In the Barkibu 100 tariff, 100% of eligible costs are initially covered. However, from the 6th year of life (dog) or 8th year of life (cat), reimbursement drops to 80%. Barkibu does not offer a tariff with permanently 100% reimbursement. With Dalma, you can choose 100% – with the transparent age adjustment (−5%/year from the 10th year of life for illness).
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 Barkibu, dental treatments are only covered following an accident – chronic dental conditions are excluded. A particularly relevant difference for cats.
Is it true that Barkibu doesn't cancel following a claim?
Barkibu advertises a waiver of cancellation following a claim. However, according to the current terms and conditions, both parties have a right to cancel following a claim event in the first 4 contract years. With Dalma, the waiver from the 2nd contract year is clearly and without restriction contractually anchored.
Is Dalma or Barkibu more affordable?
Prices depend on the type of animal, breed, and age. Barkibu starts from approx. €33.90/month (dog, Barkibu 80). Dalma starts from approx. €4.99 (surgery) and €15.99 (health cover). Dalma additionally offers a 15% multi-pet discount. A fair comparison should take into account not only the price but also reimbursement rate, dental cover, cancellation protection, and international cover.
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). Barkibu: 28 days (illness), 5 days (accident), 6 months for certain conditions for animals over 6 months. Vaccinations with Barkibu from day 1, preventive care with Dalma from day 1.
Which provider has better international cover?
Dalma offers worldwide international cover for the entire contract duration. Barkibu restricts cover to EU member states, Great Britain, and Andorra – maximum 6 months.
What is the Barkibu card?
The Barkibu card is a payment card with which you can pay vet invoices directly at the vet. Barkibu then charges you the non-reimbursable costs. That is a practical feature that Dalma does not offer. With Dalma, reimbursement takes place after submitting the invoice via the app (target: 48 hours).
Does Barkibu offer liability insurance?
No. Barkibu does not offer dog liability insurance. Dalma has liability insurance available.
Up to which GOT rate does Barkibu reimburse?
On Barkibu's currently reviewed product pages, no explicit reference to the reimbursed GOT rate can be found. Dalma communicates clearly: reimbursement up to the 4-times rate of the veterinary fee schedule incl. emergency service fees.
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. With Barkibu, only comprehensive cover (incl. surgery) is available.
Is there a multi-pet discount?
With Dalma, you receive a 15% discount on the cheapest contract. With Barkibu, there is a €50 discount for each additional insured animal.
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
Barkibu
- barkibu.com/de – Homepage
- barkibu.com/allgemeine-geschaeftsbedingungen.pdf – Terms and conditions & insurance conditions
- help.barkibu.com – Help centre (benefits, exclusions, cancellation)
- de.trustpilot.com/review/barkibu.com – Trustpilot reviews
- dalma.co/de/blog/hundekrankenversicherung-vergleich – Dalma comparison article (contains Barkibu information)
- hello-safe.de/tierversicherung/barkibu – Independent test report
Note: This comparison refers to publicly communicated product information and documents from Barkibu 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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