Dalma vs. TIERdirekt: An Honest Pet Health Insurance Comparison 2026

This is the biggest difference between the two providers, and it shapes the entire user experience in the event of a claim.

How a reimbursement works with TIERdirekt

If your vet practice is connected to the TIERdirekt interface (currently Vetera, easyVet, Vet4.0 and Debevet), the following happens:

1. You bring your animal to the practice.
2. Before treatment, the practice software retrieves your insurance data and immediately shows the vet which benefits TIERdirekt covers.
3. The treatment is carried out.
4. The practice settles directly with TIERdirekt. You pay only your deductible (if agreed) and any benefits that are not insured. With the cash-free option, TIERdirekt also initially reimburses your own share to your vet and then collects it from your premium account.

If the practice is not connected, it works as usual: you pay, submit the invoice, TIERdirekt reimburses.

The logic: TIERdirekt addresses the workflow of the vet practice first, not the owner's app. That is unique in the market. Important: the cash-free option does not apply abroad.

How a reimbursement works with Dalma

With Dalma there is no direct billing with the practice. Instead, everything runs through the Dalma app:

5. You go to the vet, receive an invoice and pay it up front.
6. You photograph the invoice in the Dalma app.
7. Dalma checks eligibility for reimbursement.
8. Operational target: reimbursement to your account within 48 hours.

The logic: Dalma addresses the owner and optimises app-based reimbursement. You keep your choice of vet free and independent, because you are not dependent on a connected practice.

What this means: TIERdirekt relieves you above all when you use a practice with an interface. Then you have nothing to pay up front. Dalma relieves you financially through fast reimbursement, but you initially pay up front. Both models have their place, depending on your personality and your practice environment.

The TIERdirekt USP only works if your vet practice is actually connected to the interface. Currently four practice management systems are integrated:

• Vetera (GP.Software GmbH): widely used in the German market
• easyVet (VetZ GmbH): frequently used in larger practices
• Vet4.0 (BTE GmbH): a newer system with growing adoption
• Debevet (around.pet 001 GmbH): specialised in digital practice workflows

According to TIERdirekt, more PMS providers are set to follow, but TIERdirekt does not publish a complete list publicly.

How to find out whether your practice is included

1. Check the website or the reception desk to see which software the practice uses (often visible as a small logo on invoices or at check-in).
2. Ask directly at reception or your vet: "Are you connected to the TIERdirekt interface?"
3. If yes, you can use the cash-free option the next time you take out insurance.
4. If no, billing works as usual: pay the invoice, submit the receipt to TIERdirekt by email, fax or post.

Tip: If you often switch between several practices or travel abroad, the chance that all your vet contacts are connected is smaller. In that case, the TIERdirekt USP advantage shifts considerably. Dalma is more flexible here, because the app-based reimbursement works independently of the practice system.

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Both providers rely on digital handling and free choice of vet. In five points, however, they differ clearly.

1. Reimbursement over the course of life

With Dalma, you choose between an 80% or 100% reimbursement rate when you take out the policy. This value stays constant up to your animal's 9th year of life. From the 10th year of life, the so-called age adjustment applies in the health cover: the reimbursement rate falls by 5 percentage points per year from the original value. In the 12th year of life, Dalma therefore reimburses 90% of medical treatment costs under an originally 100% tariff. Accident benefits are not affected by this.

With TIERdirekt, the insurer reimburses 100% of the costs (after deducting a selectable deductible) until your animal reaches a certain age: dogs 6 years, cats 8 years, rabbits 4 years. From this age, TIERdirekt reimburses a constant 85%.

What this means: Anyone insuring a young animal benefits from 100% reimbursement for several years with TIERdirekt, then 85% for life. With Dalma, the chosen reimbursement rate stays constant up to the 9th year of life, then a linear adjustment follows. Which provider is higher in the reimbursed share over the animal's lifetime depends on the entry age and the lifespan of the animal.

2. Waiting periods and cover in the 1st year

TIERdirekt works with a uniform waiting period of 8 weeks for all illnesses and operations. Shortened period: 24 hours for road accidents. A special treatment for breed-typical conditions (HD, ED, FORL etc.) is not stated in the publicly available tariff information; corresponding pre-existing conditions and symptoms recognisable during the waiting period are excluded.

Dalma tiers the waiting periods more granularly:

• 2 days for accidents
• 14 days for surgical procedures
• 30 days for medical treatments
• 12 months for HD, ED, radius curvus, OCD, IPA, FPC and for FORL, gingivitis and periodontitis
• 18 months for patellar luxation
• No waiting period for the preventive care budget

In return, with Dalma the full chosen annual benefit limit applies immediately from the end of the respective waiting period, with no additional limits in the 1st year.

3. Animal types and entry age

TIERdirekt also insures rabbits, alongside dogs and cats. If you want to insure a rabbit, Dalma is not an option; TIERdirekt or another provider with a small-mammal tariff is.

Dalma insures dogs and cats between 2 months and the day before the 9th birthday. Once enrolled, cover remains for life, regardless of age.

TIERdirekt enrols animals from 8 weeks, up to a maximum of 6 years (dog), 8 years (cat) or 4 years (rabbit). From this age, reimbursement drops to 85%. If the animal is enrolled before the age limit, cover remains for life.

4. Dental cover, preventive care and everyday life

With Dalma, medically necessary dental cover (FORL, gingivitis, periodontitis) is automatically included in the health cover after a 12-month waiting period. In addition, there is a preventive care budget of 70 euros or 100 euros per year (in the health insurance tariff from an annual benefit limit of 1,500 euros), usable from day 1 for vaccinations, worming treatments, scaling, neutering and more.

With TIERdirekt, preventive care benefits (dental prophylaxis, vaccinations such as hepatitis, rabies, cat flu) are included in the comprehensive insurance. Reimbursement is made after deduction of the deductible at 100% up to the maximum entry age, then 85%. Products against endo- and ectoparasites are expressly not insured. With a 3-year contract term, non-medically indicated neutering/sterilisation is also included in the comprehensive insurance.

Tip: Anyone with a cat at risk of FORL should compare the dental cover of both providers carefully. With Dalma, FORL is co-insured as a treatment after the waiting period. With TIERdirekt, dental treatments are part of the comprehensive insurance, but dental and jaw anomalies are excluded. In individual cases, this distinction can become relevant in a claim.

5. Long-term security and contractual peace of mind

From the 13th policy month, Dalma contractually waives its right to terminate after a regulated claim. A claim therefore does not lead to cancellation by the insurer.

TIERdirekt waives the right to terminate in the event of a claim from the start of the 4th policy year. In the first three policy years, TIERdirekt retains the right to terminate after a claim. In return, TIERdirekt is interesting for customers who want a longer contractual commitment: with a minimum term of 3 years, there is a 5% premium reduction and neutering/sterilisation is included in the comprehensive insurance.

Our assessment: If you are insuring a young animal and want stable contractual peace of mind quickly, Dalma is earlier off the mark in this discipline. TIERdirekt catches up from year 4.

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Instead of a pure pros and cons list, here are two persona scenarios plus a concrete owner question that makes the decision easier.

Persona 1: Regular customer at a modern vet practice

You have been going to the same vet for years. The practice works with Vetera or easyVet and is connected to the TIERdirekt interface. You like having things sorted on the spot, without paying up front or submitting receipts.

Recommendation: TIERdirekt is built for your scenario here in terms of content. You get a coverage confirmation in the treatment room, the practice settles directly with the insurer, and you pay only your deductible or non-insured shares. Important: check whether your practice is actually connected (currently Vetera, easyVet, Vet4.0, Debevet).

Persona 2: Changing vet contacts or a love of travel

You live in a city with several practices, go to different vets depending on availability, or spend time abroad more often. You want maximum flexibility in your choice of vet and cover that applies everywhere.

Recommendation: Dalma offers more flexibility here. You are not dependent on a connected practice, the international cover applies worldwide for the entire policy term (not just 6 months), and with the unlimited telemedicine via FirstVet you also have access to veterinary advice while on the move.

One question that helps you decide

If your animal needed a 1,200-euro operation tomorrow morning: would it matter more to you that the practice settles directly with the insurer (you submit nothing)? Or that the reimbursement reliably lands with you within 48 hours, no matter which practice you choose?

• First scenario: TIERdirekt is more suitable, provided your practice is connected.
• Second scenario: Dalma is more suitable.

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To give you a better idea of the reimbursement logic, here are three realistic scenarios. All figures are example calculations based on the currently published tariff terms. The actual reimbursement in an individual case depends on waiting periods, contract status, pre-existing conditions and the exact invoice structure.

Scenario 1: Cruciate ligament surgery for a 5-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog

Your Bernese Mountain Dog tears its cruciate ligament while playing. Surgery and aftercare cost around 2,500 euros.

• With TIERdirekt surgery insurance (waiting period elapsed): The 5-year-old dog is below the maximum entry age of 6 years, so 100% reimbursement after the deductible. With a 0-euro deductible: 2,500 euros reimbursed. With a 135-euro deductible: 2,365 euros reimbursed.
• With Dalma surgery insurance at the 100% tariff (14-day waiting period elapsed): 2,500 euros reimbursed, provided the chosen annual benefit limit is not exceeded.
• With Dalma surgery insurance at the 80% tariff: 2,000 euros reimbursed, 500 euros own share.

Result: similar at first glance. The practical difference: with TIERdirekt and a connected practice, you pay nothing up front. With Dalma, you advance the amount and get the reimbursement back with an operational target of 48 hours.

Scenario 2: FORL treatment for a 9-year-old Maine Coon

Your Maine Coon develops FORL. Treatment with extraction of several teeth including pre- and aftercare: around 1,200 euros. Assumption: the policy has been in place for several years, waiting periods have elapsed in both tariffs.

• With TIERdirekt comprehensive insurance: The 9-year-old cat is above the maximum entry age of 8 years, so 85% reimbursement. With a 0-euro deductible: 1,020 euros reimbursed, 180 euros own share. Important: dental and jaw anomalies are excluded under the TIERdirekt terms, but FORL as a resorptive lesion falls under the co-insured dental treatments.
• With Dalma health insurance at the 100% tariff: The 9-year-old cat is in the range before the age adjustment (which applies from the 10th year of life), so 1,200 euros reimbursed (provided the annual benefit limit is not exceeded). At an 80% tariff: 960 euros reimbursed.

Result: Dalma tends to reimburse more for this 9-year-old cat, because the reimbursement rate is still constant at 100%. With TIERdirekt, at 9 years the cat is already in the 85% tier.

Scenario 3: Gastrointestinal stasis surgery for a 3-year-old rabbit

Your rabbit develops acute gastrointestinal stasis, a typical emergency that becomes life-threatening without quick treatment. Surgery and inpatient aftercare: around 800 euros.

• With TIERdirekt surgery insurance: The 3-year-old rabbit is below the maximum entry age of 4 years, so 100% reimbursement after the deductible. With a 0-euro deductible: 800 euros reimbursed.
• With Dalma: Not insurable. Dalma covers dogs and cats only.

Result: for rabbit owners, TIERdirekt is the direct option in the market. Anyone who wants to insure a dog and a rabbit at the same time would have to choose two providers.

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Dalma is a digital pet insurer with more than 60,000 insured animals in Europe:

• Flexible tariff design: Reimbursement rate (80% or 100%) and annual benefit limit (1,500 euros up to unlimited) individually selectable.
• 48-hour reimbursement: Operational target: reimburse approved invoices within 48 hours (contractually 5 working days).
• Telemedicine included: Unlimited video consultations via FirstVet, voluntary and free.
• Preventive care budget from day 1: Up to 100 euros per year in the health cover from an annual benefit limit of 1,500 euros (vaccinations, worming treatments, scaling, neutering).
• Dental cover included: FORL, gingivitis, periodontitis automatically in the health cover after a 12-month waiting period.
• No-cancellation guarantee: From the 13th policy month, no right of termination by the insurer after a claim.
• Reimbursement rate up to 100%: Constant up to the 9th year of life, after which an age adjustment applies for illness (5 percentage points per year from the original value, from the 10th year of life).
• Worldwide international cover: Insurance cover for the entire policy term.
• Free choice of vet worldwide.
• 15% multi-pet discount when insuring several animals.
• Alternative healing methods unlimited: Acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy, magnetic field and laser therapy and more, co-insured in the health cover.
• 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.
• Around 4.5 stars on Trustpilot with more than 4,000 reviews.
• Focus Money 2026: Award for high customer satisfaction.

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TIERdirekt has established a unique workflow in the pet insurance sector: direct billing with the vet practice via the cash-free option. Anyone regularly treated at a connected practice gets a convenience advantage that hardly any other provider offers in this form. Plus: TIERdirekt also insures rabbits and grants additional benefits with a 3-year contract term (5% premium reduction, neutering/sterilisation included in the comprehensive insurance).

Dalma scores with flexibility, a maximum reimbursement of 100% up to the 9th year of life, fast app-based reimbursement with a 48-hour target, worldwide international cover and included telemedicine. The waiting periods are shorter for accidents (2 days) and operations (14 days). On dental cover and the preventive care budget from day 1, Dalma offers clear added value for owners who want to be ready quickly, without waiting 8 weeks. From the 10th year of life, the age adjustment applies with Dalma in the health cover (5 percentage points per year from the original value), while TIERdirekt stays constant at 85% after the maximum entry age.

In the end, the decision depends heavily on your practice environment and your workflow needs: direct billing with the practice or fast app reimbursement to yourself.

If you want to compare other providers in detail, our comparison articles on Dalma vs. DA Direkt, Dalma vs. Allianz and Dalma vs. BarmeniaGothaer offer further perspectives. Our comprehensive overviews on the dog health insurance comparison and cat health insurance comparison show you all the relevant providers side by side.

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Who is cheaper, Dalma or TIERdirekt?

TIERdirekt quotes entry prices from 9.90 euros per month for the surgery insurance (all animal types) and from 14.90 euros (rabbit), 19.90 euros (cat) or 24.90 euros (dog) for the comprehensive insurance. Dalma starts at around 7.99 euros for the dog surgery insurance and around 15.99 euros for the dog health insurance; for cats the entry prices are around 8 euros (surgery) or around 16 euros (health insurance). The exact premiums depend on breed, age, health status and package choice. With Dalma you also benefit from a 15% multi-pet discount, with TIERdirekt from 5% per additional animal.

What is the biggest difference between Dalma and TIERdirekt?

The billing logic. TIERdirekt relies on direct billing with the vet practice (cash-free option when the practice software is connected). Dalma relies on app-based reimbursement, where you pay up front and submit the invoice through the Dalma app. Dalma's operational target: 48 hours.

Does Dalma also insure rabbits?

No. Dalma insures dogs and cats only. Anyone who wants to insure a rabbit will find a corresponding option with TIERdirekt.

How does direct billing work with TIERdirekt?

If your vet practice's software is connected to the TIERdirekt interface (Vetera, easyVet, Vet4.0, Debevet), it retrieves your insurance data before treatment. The vet immediately sees which benefits TIERdirekt covers and then settles directly with the insurer afterwards. You pay only your deductible or non-insured shares. With the cash-free option, TIERdirekt also initially reimburses your own share to your vet and then collects it from your premium account. If the practice is not connected, reimbursement works as usual via receipt submission. The cash-free option is not available abroad.

Why does reimbursement drop with TIERdirekt in old age?

TIERdirekt reimburses 100% of the costs (after the deductible) as long as your animal is below the defined maximum entry age (dogs 6 years, cats 8 years, rabbits 4 years). From this age, reimbursement drops to 85% and stays there for life. With Dalma, your chosen reimbursement rate (80% or 100%) stays constant up to the 9th year of life; from the 10th year of life an age adjustment applies for illness, under which the reimbursement rate falls by 5 percentage points per year from the original value. Accident benefits are not affected by this.

Which waiting periods apply with both providers?

With TIERdirekt, a uniform waiting period of 8 weeks applies to all illnesses and operations, with the exception of road accidents (24 hours). With Dalma, the waiting periods are more granular: 2 days for accidents, 14 days for operations, 30 days for medical treatments, 12 months for breed-typical developmental conditions (HD, ED, FORL and others), 18 months for patellar luxation. The preventive care budget with Dalma is usable from day 1.

How is international cover regulated?

Dalma offers worldwide international cover for the entire policy term. TIERdirekt offers worldwide cover for a maximum of 6 months for temporary stays abroad. Reimbursement is made up to the amount that would result from billing according to the German GOT. The cash-free option does not apply abroad.

Is telemedicine included with both providers?

With Dalma, unlimited telemedicine via FirstVet is included in every tariff and does not affect the reimbursement rate. TIERdirekt does not list telemedicine as a separate standard benefit in the publicly available tariff documents.

Who is behind TIERdirekt?

TIERdirekt is a managing general agent based in Pfaffenhofen. The risk carrier is Great Lakes Insurance SE, a company of the Munich Re Group. In Germany, Dalma is carried by the insurer Seyna SA from France and operates as an insurance agent through its branch in Berlin.

What tariff options does TIERdirekt have compared with Dalma?

With TIERdirekt, you can choose a deductible of 0 euros, 135 euros or 400 euros per year, which lowers the monthly premium. The insured benefits stay the same. You can also opt for a minimum term of 1 or 3 years. With 3 years, there is a 5% premium reduction and non-medically indicated neutering/sterilisation in the comprehensive insurance. With Dalma, you choose the reimbursement rate (80% or 100%) and the annual benefit limit (1,500 euros up to unlimited). An additional deductible in euros is not provided for with Dalma.

How many physiotherapy treatments does TIERdirekt cover?

In the TIERdirekt comprehensive insurance, up to 8 treatments per year are included for further therapy forms such as physiotherapy, magnetic field therapy or acupuncture. In the surgery insurance, alternative healing methods are part of the aftercare up to 14 days after surgery. With Dalma, alternative healing methods are co-insured without limit in the health cover; physiotherapy is also included without a rigid session limit, provided it is vet prescribed.

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Dalma

Dalma tariff calculator and quote

Dog health insurance comparison on dalma.co

Cat health insurance comparison on dalma.co

Dalma on Trustpilot

TIERdirekt

TIERdirekt homepage

TIERdirekt premium calculator

TIERdirekt benefits

TIERdirekt FAQ

TIERdirekt general insurance terms (PDF)

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