Comparison at a glance: Dalma vs. DFV
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.
- Full annual benefit limit from day 1: The chosen annual volume is available from the start of the policy (after the waiting period); no tiering by policy year.
- Dog AND cat insured: In Germany, DFV covers dogs only.
- GOT 4x including emergency service as standard: In both tariffs.
- 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.
- Flexible contract design: No 24-month commitment.
- Integrated dental cover: FORL, gingivitis and periodontitis after a 12-month waiting period in the health cover.
- 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.
- Behavioural therapy up to 5 hours per year in the health cover, vet prescribed.
- Emergency boarding up to 250 euros per year if the owner is hospitalised for more than 3 nights.
- 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.
- 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 DFV tariff
1. Tiered annual benefit limit over 24 months
DFV has a tiered model for the annual benefit limit: in the first 12 months a maximum of 1,000 euros reimbursement. From month 13, 2,000 euros. Only from month 25 the full reimbursement power of 5,000 euros.
What this means for you: Anyone who has an expensive operation in the first year (e.g. a cruciate ligament surgery at 3,500 euros) receives a maximum of 1,000 euros reimbursement through DFV; the rest must be borne yourself. With Dalma, the chosen annual volume is fully available from day 1 (after the waiting period).
2. Minimum contract term of 24 months
DFV has a minimum contract term of 24 months in both tariffs (surgery cover and comprehensive cover).
What this means for you: The DFV tiering of the annual benefit limit and the 24-month commitment work together: the full reimbursement power is only reached in the 3rd policy year, and you are tied to the contract for at least 2 years. With Dalma, you can cancel more flexibly.
3. No cat insurance in Germany
On deutsche-familienversicherung.de, DFV offers dog health insurance only. If you want to insure a cat, DFV is not an option in Germany.
4. Congenital and genetic conditions excluded in principle
With DFV, congenital or genetically predisposed/genetic conditions are excluded from cover in principle.
What this means for you: If your dog belongs to a breed prone to genetically caused conditions (e.g. HD in large breeds, brachycephalic syndrome in bulldog breeds, epilepsy in certain herding dogs), the treatment is not reimbursed by DFV across the board. With Dalma, breed-typical conditions such as HD and ED are eligible for reimbursement in the health cover after a 12-month waiting period within the chosen annual benefit limit.
5. International cover outside Europe limited to 12 months
With DFV, international cover applies in Europe (EU, EEA, Switzerland, Israel, UK) for the entire contract duration. Outside Europe (e.g. USA, Asia) a maximum of 12 months. With Dalma, worldwide for the entire policy term.
6. Multi-pet discount not publicly communicated
While Dalma communicates a 15% multi-pet discount from the 2nd animal transparently, no multi-pet discount is publicly available with DFV.
Claims in direct comparison
Scenario 1: Cruciate ligament operation for a 4-year-old Labrador in the 1st policy year
Vet invoice for a TPLO operation incl. diagnostics and aftercare: 3,500 euros. The policy has been in place for 6 months.
- With DFV comprehensive cover (months 1 to 12, annual limit 1,000 euros): 90% of 1,000 euros = 900 euros reimbursement. Own share: 2,600 euros.
- With Dalma at the 100% tariff with a 5,000-euro annual benefit limit: 3,500 euros full reimbursement. Own share: 0 euros.
Scenario 2: Cruciate ligament operation in the 3rd policy year
Same operation, same costs. The policy has been in place for 30 months.
- With DFV comprehensive cover (month 25+, annual limit 5,000 euros): 90% of 3,500 euros = 3,150 euros reimbursement. Own share: 350 euros.
- With Dalma at the 100% tariff with a 5,000-euro annual benefit limit: 3,500 euros full reimbursement. Own share: 0 euros.
Scenario 3: Gastrointestinal infection in a 7-month-old Poodle
Diagnostics, medication, treatment: 270 euros. The policy has been in place for 3 months.
- With DFV comprehensive cover: 90% of 270 euros = 243 euros reimbursement. Own share: 27 euros.
- With DFV surgery cover: No reimbursement (the surgery cover does not cover medical treatments without surgery).
- With Dalma in the health cover at the 100% tariff: 270 euros full reimbursement.
Scenario 4: Preventive care for a 2-year-old Beagle
Annual vaccination, worming, flea and tick prevention, health check. Total costs: 180 euros.
- With DFV comprehensive cover: 100 euros preventive care flat amount, reimbursement 100 euros. Own share: 80 euros.
- With DFV surgery cover: No reimbursement (no preventive care flat amount included).
- With Dalma in the health cover with a 100-euro preventive care budget: Reimbursement 100 euros. Own share: 80 euros.
Scenario 5: Dog with breed-typical hip dysplasia (HD), diagnosed in the 14th policy month
Diagnosis and treatment: 2,800 euros.
- With DFV: No reimbursement (congenital/genetic conditions excluded in principle).
- With Dalma in the health cover at the 100% tariff (12-month waiting period for HD met): 2,800 euros full reimbursement.
Direct comparison in 5 categories
1. Tariff structure and configuration
Dalma: 2 clear tariffs (surgery insurance and health insurance) with free configuration of reimbursement rate and annual benefit limit. DFV: 2 tariffs (surgery cover from 14.90 euros, comprehensive cover from 49.90 euros) with a fixed 90% reimbursement and a 10% deductible.
2. Annual benefit limit
Dalma: 1,500 euros up to unlimited, freely selectable, fully available from the start of the policy. DFV: tiered from 1,000 euros in the first 12 months up to 5,000 euros from month 25.
3. Waiting periods
Dalma: short waiting periods for standard cases (2 days accident, 14 to 30 days illness/surgery), 12 months for breed-typical conditions. DFV: 1 month generally, accident immediately. BUT: congenital and genetic conditions are excluded by DFV across the board.
4. Animal types
Dalma: dog and cat. DFV in Germany: dog only.
5. International cover
Dalma: worldwide for the entire policy term. DFV: Europe unlimited, outside Europe max. 12 months.
Conclusion: Dalma as the clear choice if flexibility and the full annual benefit limit from day 1 matter to you
If the following points matter to you, Dalma is the suitable choice:
- You need the full annual benefit limit immediately (over 1,000 euros) in the first year
- You want a flexible contract design with no 24-month commitment
- You are insuring a cat (DFV offers no cat insurance in Germany)
- You insure several animals and want a multi-pet discount of 15% from the 2nd animal
- You value a contractual waiver of termination after a claim (from the 13th policy month)
- Your dog belongs to a breed with an increased risk of breed-typical conditions such as HD, ED, patellar luxation
- You value worldwide international cover with no 12-month limit outside Europe
- You want alternative healing methods unlimited in the health cover, with no obligation to move up a tariff tier
- You prefer fast digital reimbursement (operational target: 48 hours after approval)
- You want a selectable reimbursement quota of 100% (instead of a fixed 90%)
DFV can be an alternative if:
- You are looking for a cheap, simple pure dog surgery insurance from 14.90 euros per month
- You are planning a longer contractual commitment of at least 2 to 3 years and expect larger claims only in the 3rd policy year (DFV comprehensive cover reaches a 5,000-euro annual benefit limit from month 25)
- Your dog is healthy and does not belong to a breed with genetically caused conditions
- You value the Stiftung Warentest "HIGH" rating of the benefit level
- You want to support DFV's social commitment with your contract (5 euros donation per comprehensive-cover policy to Assistenzhundeverbund e.V.)
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 DFV dog 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. DFV
Which provider has the shorter waiting periods?
With DFV, a general waiting period of 1 month applies from the start of the policy. For accident-related treatments, the waiting period is waived. With Dalma: 2 days accident, 14 days operations, 30 days medical treatments. For breed-typical conditions, a 12-month waiting period applies with Dalma, but full reimbursement thereafter. With DFV, congenital and genetic conditions are excluded across the board.
How does the DFV annual benefit limit work?
The DFV annual benefit limit is tiered: 1,000 euros in the first 12 months, 2,000 euros from month 13, 5,000 euros from month 25. The preventive care flat amount (100 euros per calendar year in the comprehensive cover) is excepted from this limit. With Dalma, the annual benefit limit is freely selectable between 1,500 euros and unlimited and is fully available from the start of the policy (after the waiting period).
Does DFV offer cat insurance?
On deutsche-familienversicherung.de, DFV offers dog health insurance only. Anyone who wants to insure a cat should consider Dalma or another provider.
Are breed-typical and genetic conditions co-insured with DFV?
No, congenital or genetically predisposed/genetic conditions are excluded from cover with DFV in principle. With Dalma, breed-typical conditions (HD, ED, FORL and others) are eligible for reimbursement after a 12-month waiting period has elapsed (patellar luxation 18 months).
How long is the minimum contract term with DFV?
The minimum contract term with DFV is 24 months for both tariffs (surgery cover and comprehensive cover). With Dalma, the contract design is more flexible.
How is international cover regulated?
With DFV, cover applies within Europe (EU, EEA, Switzerland, Israel, UK) for the entire contract duration. Outside Europe a maximum of 12 months. With Dalma, worldwide international cover for the entire policy term.
What does the DFV dog health insurance cost?
DFV example prices: surgery cover from 14.90 euros per month, comprehensive cover from 49.90 euros per month. Specifically: a 3-year-old neutered female dog in the surgery cover: 14.90 euros per month. A 1-year-old non-neutered male dog in the comprehensive cover: 49.90 euros per month. A 7-year-old neutered male dog in the surgery cover: 24.90 euros per month.
What deductible applies with DFV?
With DFV, a flat 10% of the vet costs per insured event in both tariffs. The preventive care flat amount is excepted from the deductible (100% reimbursement). With Dalma, there is no percentage deductible in the 100% tariff.
What is included in the DFV surgery cover?
The DFV surgery cover comprises veterinarily necessary operations with 90% cost reimbursement, a pre-surgery examination up to 10 days before the procedure, surgery aftercare up to 30 days after the procedure, accommodation in a vet practice or animal clinic, medication, dressings, remedies and aids, and dental treatments. Medical treatments without surgery and alternative healing methods are not included in the surgery cover; the comprehensive cover is needed for those.
How fast is reimbursement?
With Dalma, the operational target is a payout within 48 hours after approval of all receipts (contractually 5 working days). Submission is fully digital via the Dalma app. With DFV, submission is made via the DFV customer portal or the DFV app.
Sources and further information
Dog health insurance comparison in the Dalma magazine
