Comparison at a glance: Dalma vs. BarmeniaGothaer
What makes Dalma special?
Dalma is a pet specialist insurer with its own animal-health expertise and more than 60,000 insured animals in Europe:
- Flexible tariff design: You choose the reimbursement rate (80% or 100%) and the annual benefit limit (1,500 euros up to unlimited) yourself and adapt the cover to your budget and your animal's profile.
- GOT 4x including emergency service as standard: In both tariffs, including outside emergencies.
- Waiver of termination after a claim: From the 13th policy month, Dalma contractually waives its right to terminate after a claim.
- 15% multi-pet discount: In both tariffs from the 2nd animal.
- Integrated dental cover: FORL, gingivitis and periodontitis automatically in the health cover after a 12-month waiting period.
- Alternative healing methods unlimited: Acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy, laser and magnetic field therapy and others in the health cover.
- Preventive care budget up to 100 euros per year from day 1: In the health cover from an annual benefit limit of 1,500 euros, with no waiting period.
- Telemedicine unlimited: Free access to FirstVet around the clock in both tariffs at no extra cost.
- Behavioural therapy up to 5 hours per year in the health cover, vet prescribed.
- Physiotherapy unlimited in the health cover (vs. 10 treatments per year with BarmeniaGothaer).
- Short waiting periods for breed-typical conditions: 12 months (vs. 18 months with BarmeniaGothaer in Top and Premium).
- Emergency boarding up to 250 euros per year if the owner is hospitalised for more than 3 nights, in both tariffs.
- Prosthetics contribution one-off up to 500 euros in both tariffs.
- Reimbursement usually within 48 hours after approval (operational service target; contractually 5 working days).
- 100% digital: Fully digital submission via the Dalma app.
- Worldwide international cover for the entire policy term, including in the standard tariffs.
- Around 4.5 stars on Trustpilot with more than 4,000 reviews.
- Focus Money 2026: Award for high customer satisfaction.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
What to pay particular attention to with the BarmeniaGothaer tariff
1. 18 months waiting period for HD, ED and ectropion in Top and Premium
In the Top and Premium tariffs, the waiting period for hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED) and ectropion is 18 months. Only in Premium Plus is it reduced to 6 months.
What this means for you: If your dog belongs to a breed prone to HD or ED (e.g. German Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Labrador, Golden Retriever), in the Top and Premium tariffs you are only insured against these conditions after 18 months. With Dalma, breed-typical conditions such as HD and ED are eligible for reimbursement in the health cover after a 12-month waiting period.
2. Very restrictive list of pre-existing conditions
Dogs with the following pre-existing conditions are completely uninsurable with BarmeniaGothaer: epilepsy, diabetes, thyroid conditions, allergies, HD, ED, tumours, physical disabilities, malformations. Insurance is also excluded in the case of proven contact with blood parasites (Lyme borreliosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, hepatozoonosis, leishmaniasis, micro- and macrofilariae).
What this means for you: For older dogs with chronic conditions, BarmeniaGothaer is not an option. Insurance is also excluded for dogs from animal welfare in Southern Europe (often with leishmaniasis contact).
3. GOT 3x standard, 4x only in emergency service
BarmeniaGothaer reimburses up to 3x the GOT rate as standard. The 4x rate applies only in veterinary emergency service (night: 18:00 to 08:00, weekend: Friday 18:00 to Monday 08:00, public holidays: 0:00 to 24:00).
What this means for you: At normal vet appointments where the vet would bill the 4x rate (quite common in specialist clinics), a difference remains with you. With Dalma, we reimburse up to 4x the GOT rate including emergency service in both tariffs, including outside emergencies.
4. Telemedicine not integrated into the tariff as standard
BarmeniaGothaer offers telemedicine as a separate product (MediApp), not integrated into the dog health insurance as standard. With Dalma, unlimited video consultations via FirstVet are included free of charge in both tariffs.
5. Medical treatments with tiered limits
Medical treatments without surgery are tiered with BarmeniaGothaer: Top 800 euros per year, Premium 1,200 euros per year or optionally unlimited, Premium Plus 1,200 euros per year or optionally unlimited. Preventive care benefits and dental treatments are also counted towards the annual maximum reimbursement for medical treatment costs. With Dalma, medical treatments are eligible for reimbursement in the health cover within the chosen annual benefit limit.
6. A strength of BarmeniaGothaer: surgery with no annual cap
A clear advantage of BarmeniaGothaer: surgery costs have no annual cap in all tariffs. That is a notable strength that Dalma does not advertise as explicitly. With Dalma, however, you can choose the annual benefit limit as "unlimited", which includes surgery and medical treatments.
Claims in direct comparison
Scenario 1: Dog with hip dysplasia (HD), diagnosed in the 14th policy month
Diagnosis and treatment: 4,500 euros.
- With BarmeniaGothaer Top or Premium (18 months waiting period for HD): No reimbursement in the first 18 months.
- With BarmeniaGothaer Premium Plus (6 months waiting period): Reimbursement of the full surgery costs (surgery with no annual cap).
- With Dalma in the health cover at the 100% tariff (12-month waiting period for HD met): Full reimbursement within the chosen annual benefit limit.
Scenario 2: Allergy diagnostics and desensitisation over 1 year
Costs: 1,800 euros. The policy has been in place for 6 months.
- With BarmeniaGothaer Top (medical treatments 800 euros per year): Reimbursement 800 euros. Own share: 1,000 euros.
- With BarmeniaGothaer Premium or Premium Plus with unlimited medical treatments: Full reimbursement.
- Problematic with BarmeniaGothaer in any case: If the allergy was already known before the policy was taken out, it is excluded from cover and the animal would not be insurable in the first place.
- With Dalma in the health cover at the 100% tariff (after the 30-day waiting period for medical treatments): 1,800 euros full reimbursement within the annual benefit limit.
Scenario 3: Emergency surgery after poisoning on a Sunday
Vet invoice 1,200 euros (4x GOT rate in emergency service).
- With BarmeniaGothaer (4x reimbursed in emergency service): Full reimbursement. Emergency service fee reimbursed in addition.
- With Dalma (4x GOT including emergency service): Full reimbursement.
Scenario 4: Multi-pet household with a dog and a cat
- With BarmeniaGothaer: No publicly communicated multi-pet discount.
- With Dalma: 15% multi-pet discount from the 2nd animal on both policies in both tariffs.
Scenario 5: Standard vet appointment at the 3x GOT rate (e.g. specialist clinic)
Vet invoice 380 euros (specialist clinic at the 3x GOT rate).
- With BarmeniaGothaer: Full reimbursement (3x standard reimbursed).
- With Dalma: Full reimbursement (4x included, so 3x reimbursed too).
Scenario 6: Standard vet appointment at the 4x GOT rate (outside emergency service)
Vet invoice 480 euros (4x GOT, but no emergency service).
- With BarmeniaGothaer: Reimbursement only up to the 3x rate. The difference remains open.
- With Dalma: Full reimbursement (4x GOT, including outside emergency service).
Direct comparison in 5 categories
1. Tariff structure and configuration
Dalma: 2 tariffs (surgery insurance and health insurance) with free configuration of reimbursement rate and annual benefit limit. BarmeniaGothaer: 3 main tiers (Top, Premium, Premium Plus), each with or without an optional 20% deductible; a pure surgery insurance separately.
2. Waiting periods for breed-typical conditions
Dalma: 12 months for HD, ED, FORL; 18 months for patellar luxation. BarmeniaGothaer: 18 months for HD, ED, ectropion in Top and Premium; only 6 months in Premium Plus.
3. GOT reimbursement
Dalma: 4x including emergency service in both tariffs, including outside emergencies. BarmeniaGothaer: 3x standard, 4x only in emergency service (night, weekend, public holiday).
4. Telemedicine
Dalma: FirstVet unlimited and free, integrated in both tariffs. BarmeniaGothaer: telemedicine (MediApp) as a separate product, not included in the dog health insurance as standard.
5. Multi-pet discount and contract flexibility
Dalma: 15% multi-pet discount from the 2nd animal in both tariffs. BarmeniaGothaer: no publicly communicated multi-pet discount.
Conclusion: Dalma as the clear choice if flexibility and integrated benefits matter to you
If the following points matter to you, Dalma is the suitable choice:
- You want a lean tariff structure with just 2 tariffs and free configuration
- You expect GOT 4x including emergency service as standard, including outside emergencies
- You value short waiting periods for breed-typical conditions (12 months instead of 18 months with BarmeniaGothaer Top/Premium)
- You insure several animals and want a multi-pet discount of 15% from the 2nd animal
- You need integrated dental cover, alternative healing methods and a preventive care budget in one tariff
- You value free telemedicine (FirstVet) as standard in every tariff
- You value a contractual waiver of termination after a claim (from the 13th policy month)
- You need unlimited physiotherapy in the health cover (vs. 10 treatments per year with BarmeniaGothaer)
- You prefer fast digital reimbursement (operational target: 48 hours after approval)
BarmeniaGothaer can be an alternative if:
- You expect very high surgery costs and need an insurance with surgery and no annual cap in all tariffs
- You want the Premium Plus extra benefits (travel cancellation up to 1,500 euros, funeral cost contribution of 300 euros from the 4th policy year, aftercare for 120 days)
- You insure a horse (Dalma insures dogs and cats only)
- Your animal is 9 years or older and you are planning a first enrolment (Dalma only enrols up to the day before the 9th birthday)
If you are still unsure, compare the most important packages in detail with the Dalma tariff calculator. You will find more about the competitor on the BarmeniaGothaer pet health insurance website or in the dog health insurance comparison in the Dalma magazine.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Frequently asked questions: Dalma vs. BarmeniaGothaer
Which provider has the shorter waiting periods for HD and ED?
With Dalma: 12 months waiting period for HD, ED and FORL. With BarmeniaGothaer: 18 months for HD, ED and ectropion in the Top and Premium tariffs, 6 months only in the Premium Plus tariff.
Which pre-existing conditions exclude insurance with BarmeniaGothaer?
With BarmeniaGothaer, insurance is excluded across the board for: epilepsy, diabetes, thyroid conditions, allergies, HD, ED, tumours, physical disabilities/malformations, and in the case of proven contact with vector-borne diseases (Lyme borreliosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, hepatozoonosis, leishmaniasis, micro- and macrofilariae). In addition, at the time the policy is taken out, the animal must not be chronically ill (symptoms lasting more than 8 weeks), under veterinary treatment, or have been operated on in the last 6 months (accident-related operations excepted). With Dalma, conditions existing or known at the time of application are likewise excluded.
Up to what age can I insure my dog with BarmeniaGothaer?
On the BarmeniaGothaer website, it is explicitly pointed out that insurance should be taken out "in good time, before older or sick animals are no longer insurable". A precise maximum age limit for first enrolment is not stated publicly on the dog health insurance page, but it is relevant for advice. With Dalma, enrolment is possible up to the day before the 9th birthday; cover then continues for life.
What GOT reimbursement applies with BarmeniaGothaer?
BarmeniaGothaer reimburses up to 3x the GOT rate as standard. The 4x rate applies only in veterinary emergency service (night: 18:00 to 08:00, weekend: Friday 18:00 to Monday 08:00, public holidays: 0:00 to 24:00). With Dalma, we reimburse up to 4x the GOT rate including emergency service in both tariffs, including outside emergencies.
Are operations with BarmeniaGothaer really without an annual cap?
Yes, that is a notable strength: surgery costs are eligible for reimbursement in all tariffs (Top, Premium, Premium Plus) with no annual cap. Medical treatments without surgery, by contrast, are tiered: Top 800 euros per year, Premium and Premium Plus 1,200 euros per year or optionally unlimited.
How high is the deductible with BarmeniaGothaer?
Optional 20% per invoice, but capped at 250 euros per year for all invoices submitted at the same time. The tariff is also selectable without a deductible. With Dalma, there is no percentage deductible in the 100% tariff.
Is telemedicine included with BarmeniaGothaer?
BarmeniaGothaer offers telemedicine as a separate product (MediApp), not integrated into the dog health insurance as standard. With Dalma, unlimited video consultations via FirstVet are included free of charge in both tariffs.
Is brachycephalic syndrome co-insured?
No, treatments due to brachycephalic syndrome (breeding-related shortening of the facial skull, affecting e.g. pugs, French Bulldogs, Pekingese) are excluded with BarmeniaGothaer. With Dalma, brachycephalic surgical procedures are likewise excluded.
How long is the international cover?
With BarmeniaGothaer: Top and Premium a maximum of 12 months worldwide; Premium Plus unlimited worldwide. With Dalma, worldwide for the entire policy term in both tariffs.
Is there direct reimbursement with the vet?
With BarmeniaGothaer, direct reimbursement with the vet is possible with the consent of the vet or the animal clinic. With Dalma, reimbursement is fully digital after submission via the Dalma app (operational target: 48 hours after approval).
Sources and further information
BarmeniaGothaer dog health insurance
BarmeniaGothaer pet health insurance
BarmeniaGothaer terms pet health insurance
BarmeniaGothaer terms Premium Plus
Dog health insurance comparison in the Dalma magazine
