Comparison Table: Dalma vs. Lassie at a Glance
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Dalma and Lassie in Direct Comparison
Both providers are digital, modern, and focus on preventive care. But on closer inspection, six important differences emerge – for dog owners just as much as for cat owners.
1. Benefits at a Fixed Price – or Discounts Through App Courses?
This is probably the biggest difference between the two providers. Lassie positions itself as the first preventive pet insurance and rewards pet owners who complete courses and answer quiz questions in the app. Points are awarded that can be converted into a discount of up to €50 per insurance year (dog). Additionally, activity points can be collected via a Tractive tracker.
The concept has its appeal – as long as you regularly spend time in the app. With Dalma, the fair price and full benefits are fixed in the contract. You don't have to complete courses, answer quiz questions, or collect points to receive the agreed cover. If it matters to you that your insurance cover doesn't depend on how active you are in an app, Dalma is the clearer choice.
2. Waiting Periods: Shorter at Dalma for Surgery and Dental Cover
Both providers work with waiting periods. But in a direct comparison, one thing stands out: the general waiting period at Lassie is 30 days – both for surgery and for medical treatments. With Dalma, it is only 14 days for surgical procedures and 30 days for medical treatments. For accidents, a short waiting period of 2 days applies with both providers.
Particularly relevant for cat owners: FORL, one of the most common dental conditions in cats, is covered by Dalma after 12 months. With Lassie, the special waiting period for FORL is 18 months – six months longer.
Concrete example: Your cat shows symptoms of FORL in the 13th insurance month. Diagnostics and tooth extraction together cost €1,800.
- With Dalma: The 12-month waiting period has expired. The costs are reimbursed within the scope of the annual maximum benefit.
- With Lassie: The 18-month waiting period is still running. You bear the €1,800 entirely yourself.
3. Developmental Disorders and Hereditary Conditions: Full Benefit vs. Exclusion
Hip dysplasia (HD) or elbow dysplasia (ED) can quickly run to four-figure costs. Lassie generally excludes costs for congenital, genetic hereditary conditions and breed-specific conditions, but for certain specific diagnoses (including HD) offers a special waiting period of 18 months, after which partial benefits may be possible under certain conditions.
With Dalma, HD, ED, and comparable diagnoses fall under regular cover after the 12-month waiting period: Dalma pays within the full scope of the chosen annual maximum benefit – up to unlimited. Dalma additionally offers a once-only contribution of up to €500 for prostheses and implants.
4. Preventive Care Budget: Lassie Stronger in the Maxi Tariff
On the preventive care budget, Lassie has the edge in the highest tariff: Maxi offers €140 per year for vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care, and health checks. Dalma offers up to €100 in the health cover. In the smaller tariffs (Mini: €35, Midi: €100), Lassie is at a similar level or below.
Both providers make the preventive care budget available without a waiting period from day 1. With Dalma, the budget can also be used for castration and descaling, among other things.
5. Admission Age: Lassie Without Upper Limit
Lassie has a clear advantage here: there is no upper age limit. Even older dogs and cats can be enrolled without restriction. With Dalma, enrolment is possible up to before the 9th birthday. Anyone wanting to insure an older animal will therefore find an option with Lassie that Dalma cannot offer.
Important to know: animals once insured with Dalma enjoy lifelong cover – the contract is not cancelled due to age.
6. Long-term Security and Cancellation Protection
Dalma waives the extraordinary right to cancel following a settled claim from the 2nd contract year onwards. No equivalent waiver is highlighted on the currently reviewed Lassie product pages. For pet owners who don't want to worry about the future of their contract after a larger claim, this is a strong argument for Dalma.
In addition, Dalma's health cover includes up to 5 hours of behavioural therapy per insurance year (vet-prescribed). Lassie offers behavioural therapy only in the Maxi tariff and exclusively following a traumatic event.
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 benefits at a fixed price without having to complete courses in an app
- Prefer shorter waiting periods for surgery (14 instead of 30 days)
- Need dental cover for your cat as early as possible (FORL after 12 instead of 18 months)
- Expect full benefits for developmental disorders such as HD or ED (after waiting period, up to unlimited)
- Value long-term security (cancellation waiver following a claim)
- Want to insure multiple animals (15% multi-pet discount)
- Value fast reimbursement (target: 48 hours)
Lassie may be right for you if you:
- Want to insure an older animal (no age limit with Lassie)
- Enjoy completing courses via the app and collecting discounts this way
- Need a high preventive care budget (up to €140 in the Maxi tariff)
- Want to use direct billing with the vet practice
- Value unlimited surgical costs in all tariffs
If clarity, shorter waiting periods, earlier dental cover, and a fixed price without app gamification 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 Lassie?
If the following points matter to you:
This decision aid does not replace individual advice, but gives you 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:
✓ Benefits instead of gamification: Price and cover are fixed in the contract. No courses, quiz questions, or points required.
✓ Flexible package design: Reimbursement rate (80%/100%) and annual maximum benefit (€1,500 to unlimited) individually selectable.
✓ Shorter surgery waiting period: 14 days instead of 30 days for surgical procedures.
✓ Dental cover after 12 months: FORL, gingivitis, periodontitis automatically in health cover (6 months earlier than with Lassie).
✓ 48h reimbursement: Operational target: reimburse approved invoices within 48 hours.
✓ Cancellation waiver: From the 2nd contract year, no cancellation right following a claim.
✓ Behavioural therapy: Up to 5h/year, vet-prescribed (health cover).
✓ Telemedicine included: Unlimited video consultations via FirstVet – voluntary and free of charge.
✓ Preventive care budget from day 1: Up to €100/year for vaccinations, deworming, descaling, castration.
✓ Alternative therapies: Physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy.
✓ Free choice of vet worldwide.
✓ 15% multi-pet discount for multiple animals.
✓ Approx. 4.6 stars on Trustpilot (3,800+ reviews).
To the full benefits overview
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Conclusion: Dalma or Lassie?
Lassie is a strong provider in 2026 with a unique prevention concept, no age limit, unlimited surgical costs in all tariffs, and a high preventive care budget in the Maxi tariff. The app with courses and discounts is attractive for many pet owners. At the same time, you should factor in the longer waiting periods (30 days for surgery, 18 months for FORL/HD), the general exclusion of hereditary conditions, and the absence of a cancellation protection commitment.
Dalma is the more suitable choice for many when clarity matters more than gamification. Shorter surgery waiting periods, earlier dental cover, full benefits for developmental disorders, a fixed price without app obligation, and cancellation protection following a claim – this combination makes Dalma a compelling option for everyone who prefers to configure their insurance cover clearly rather than earn it through gameplay. Whether for a dog, a cat, or both.
Want to compare more providers before making your decision? In our comprehensive dog health insurance comparison and cat health insurance comparison, we put the most important insurers in Germany side by side – with benefits tables, price comparisons, and clear assessments.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dalma vs. Lassie
Is Dalma or Lassie more affordable?
Lassie offers dog health insurance from approx. €13.91 and surgical insurance from approx. €5.10. Dalma starts from approx. €4.99 (surgery) and €15.99 (health cover). With Lassie, you can receive up to €50 discount per year through app courses. With Dalma, there is a 15% multi-pet discount. A fair comparison should take into account not only the entry price but also waiting periods, benefit caps, and dental cover.
Do I have to use the app with Lassie to get full cover?
No, the insurance cover is independent of app usage. The app courses and quiz questions only enable a discount on the premium (up to €50 for dogs, up to €25 for cats). The insured benefits remain the same. With Dalma, there is no points system – price and benefits are fixed in the contract.
How do the waiting periods differ between Dalma and Lassie?
Dalma: 14 days for surgery, 30 days for medical treatments, 2 days for accidents, 12 months for HD/ED/FORL, 18 months for patellar luxation. Lassie: 30-day general waiting period (surgery + illness), 2 days for accidents, 18 months for specific diagnoses. Preventive care is available from day 1 with both providers.
Can I insure an older animal with Lassie?
Yes. Lassie insures dogs and cats without an upper age limit. With Dalma, enrolment is possible up to before the 9th birthday. However, animals once insured with Dalma retain lifelong cover.
How are developmental disorders (HD, ED) handled by both providers?
With Dalma, HD and ED fall under regular cover after a 12-month waiting period – within the full annual maximum benefit. Lassie generally excludes congenital and breed-specific hereditary conditions, but for certain diagnoses offers partial benefits after 18 months under certain conditions.
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 Lassie, a special waiting period of 18 months applies for FORL. Prophylactic descaling is covered via the preventive care budget with both providers.
Is there cancellation protection with Dalma?
Yes. Dalma waives the extraordinary right to cancel following a settled claim from the 2nd contract year onwards. No equivalent waiver is highlighted on the currently reviewed Lassie product pages.
Does Lassie offer direct billing with the vet?
Yes. Lassie offers the option of direct billing with vets. However, setting up direct billing is the responsibility of the policyholder – you have to coordinate the arrangement with the vet practice yourself and set up the necessary documents. With Dalma, reimbursement is straightforward after submitting the invoice via the app – without any additional coordination with the practice.
How quickly does Dalma reimburse?
The contractual target is 5 working days. The operational service commitment is reimbursement within 48 hours after approval of all documents. Submission is fully digital via the Dalma app.
Which preventive care budget is higher?
In the highest tariff, Lassie (Maxi) offers €140 per year. Dalma offers up to €100 in the health cover. In the smaller Lassie tariffs (Mini: €35, Midi: €100), the budget is at a similar or lower level than Dalma.
Is there a multi-pet discount?
With Dalma, you receive a 15% discount on the cheapest contract. With Lassie, there is a 10% discount per animal for two or more animals.
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.
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
Lassie
- de.lassie.co/en – Homepage
- de.lassie.co/en/dog-insurance – Dog health insurance tariffs
- de.lassie.co/en/cat-insurance – Cat health insurance tariffs
- de.lassie.co/en/dog-insurance/dog-surgery-insurance – Dog surgical cover
- de.lassie.co/en/cat-insurance/cat-surgery-insurance – Cat surgical cover
- de.lassie.co/en/the-lassie-app – App, points system & discounts
- de.lassie.co/en/direktabrechnung – Direct billing with vets (zu prüfen)
- de.trustpilot.com/review/lassie.co – Trustpilot reviews
Note: This comparison refers to publicly communicated product information and documents from Lassie 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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