From what age can I insure my puppy?
At Dalma, you can enrol your puppy from the 8th week of life. That is exactly the point at which you typically collect it from the breeder. Cover begins with the start of the policy, and the waiting periods run from this point. Anyone who takes out the policy early has two advantages at once: permanently cheaper premiums and waiting periods that have already elapsed if puppy diseases or operations come up.
The life stages from puppy to adult dog
What this means: Strictly speaking, the term puppy refers to dogs up to about 6 months. Colloquially, dogs up to 12 months are also still called puppies. For the insurance, this distinction does not matter: cover can be taken out from the 8th week of life up to the 9th year of life.
Typical health topics in the first years of life
Puppies and young dogs have a different illness profile from adult dogs. In the foreground are infectious diseases, digestive topics and the first signs of breed-typical predispositions. The following clusters are the most frequent reasons for vet visits in the first 18 months.
Primary vaccination and vaccine protection
The Standing Veterinary Vaccination Commission (StIKo Vet) recommends a primary vaccination series from the 8th week of life against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis contagiosa canis (DHP) and leptospirosis (L4). A combination vaccination costs 50 to 70 euros; the full primary vaccination series is spread over 3 appointments in the first year of life. At Dalma, vaccinations are covered on a pro-rata basis via the preventive care budget (70 or 100 euros per year), with no waiting period from the first day.
Puppy diseases: parvovirus, distemper, giardia
Parvovirus is a life-threatening intestinal disease with vomiting, high fever and bloody diarrhoea. According to veterinary sources, mortality in unvaccinated puppies is up to 90 percent. Inpatient treatment costs 800 to 2,500 euros. Distemper (respiratory tract, digestion, nervous system) and giardiasis (chronic diarrhoea) are further typical puppy diseases with treatment costs between 150 and 600 euros. Dalma covers these conditions after a 30-day waiting period for illness.
Digestive topics and puppy diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is common in the first 6 months of life: a change of food when moving from the breeder, stress, worm infestation or giardia are the most frequent causes. Diagnostics (stool test, blood count) cost 60 to 150 euros, treatment (medication, bland diet) 30 to 100 euros per episode.
Breed-typical predispositions: HD, ED and disc topics
In breeds with a predisposition to hip dysplasia (German Shepherd, Labrador, Golden Retriever), the first symptoms typically show between the 5th and 8th month of life (acute phase) and from the 14th month of life (chronic phase). Diagnosis is made by X-ray on the fully grown dog. An operation for severe HD costs 2,500 to 5,000 euros. Important: congenital and hereditary conditions are excluded from cover at Dalma. Acquired secondary conditions such as secondary osteoarthritis and a cruciate ligament tear, by contrast, are covered.
Accidents and injuries
Puppies are curious and often overestimate themselves. Falls on the stairs, swallowed foreign objects and bite injuries from dog contacts are among the typical puppy emergencies. A foreign-object removal by endoscopy costs 600 to 1,500 euros. At Dalma, accidents are insured from the start of the policy with no waiting period.
Our assessment: According to veterinary analyses, the annual vet costs for a puppy average between 500 and 1,500 euros; for unplanned operations or severe puppy diseases, individual invoices can exceed 3,000 euros.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Which insurance is worthwhile in which puppy phase?
The answer depends on the age your puppy is and which topics are coming up. The following table gives you direct guidance.
Tip: The ideal time to take out the policy is within the first 30 days after collection. That way the waiting periods for operations (14 days) and for illness (30 days) elapse before the first critical months of life.
Dalma Tariffs in detail
Dalma offers two tariff variants of the pet health insurance, which can be taken out individually or in combination. Both are individually selectable in reimbursement rate and annual benefit limit.
What this means: For puppies, we recommend the health insurance with surgery cover, because the preventive care budget for vaccinations and routine examinations is particularly relevant in the first year. For larger breeds with a higher surgery risk (German Shepherd, Labrador, Bernese Mountain Dog), a higher annual benefit limit is worthwhile.
Waiting periods: what applies from when?
Waiting periods are particularly relevant for puppies, because many conditions occur precisely in the first months of life. The following overview shows from when which benefits apply.
What this means: If you collect your puppy at 9 weeks and insure it immediately, all essential illnesses are already covered after 30 days, so from the 13th week of life. Dental conditions are covered after 12 months, which coincides in time with the teething.
What makes Dalma special for puppies?
Several benefits are relevant precisely in the first years of life. The following points set Dalma apart from the competition in this phase.
- Preventive care budget of 70 or 100 euros from day 1: Included in the health cover from an annual benefit limit of 1,500 euros, with no waiting period. Covers first vaccinations, worming and puppy checks on a pro-rata basis.
- Behavioural therapy up to 5 hours per year: Vet-prescribed behavioural therapy is reimbursed in the health cover, relevant for problems in the socialisation phase or for separation anxiety.
- Alternative healing methods unlimited: Acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy, laser therapy and magnetic field therapy are covered without limit in the health cover, e.g. for young-dog growth pains.
- Telemedicine via FirstVet: Unlimited access to video vets. Particularly valuable for puppies, because many smaller worries can be clarified without travelling to the practice.
- Emergency boarding up to 250 euros per year: If you yourself have to go to hospital for more than 3 nights and cannot organise care, Dalma covers the boarding costs on a pro-rata basis.
- Prosthetics contribution up to 500 euros: Available once in both tariffs, e.g. after accident-related amputations or for orthopaedic aids.
- Lifelong cover after enrolment: Dalma does not cancel on you, not even after claims. A contractual waiver of termination applies from the 2nd policy year.
- Freely selectable reimbursement rate and annual benefit limit: You can adapt the insurance to your puppy, e.g. higher cover for large breeds with a surgery risk.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
What does puppy insurance cost?
The premiums at Dalma vary depending on breed, chosen tariff, reimbursement rate and annual benefit limit. The following entry prices apply to average puppies with no risk surcharge:
- Dog health insurance: from around 15.99 euros per month
- Surgery insurance: from around 7.99 euros per month
For larger breeds with a higher illness risk (for example German Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Boxer), the premiums are correspondingly higher; for smaller or more robust breeds (Dachshund, Jack Russell, mixed breed), lower. Anyone who takes out the policy early secures the cheapest entry price permanently.
Via the Dalma tariff calculator, you receive a concrete calculation for your puppy in under 2 minutes. The entry price is guaranteed once in the 1st policy year; an annual adjustment then applies in accordance with the terms.
Dalma compared with other providers for puppies
The most important distinguishing features compared with the competition for puppy cover:
Our assessment: On entry age and waiting periods, the large German providers differ only marginally. The real differences lie in the special benefits (alternative healing methods, behavioural therapy, telemedicine), in the cancellation logic after claims and in the long-term premium adjustments. This is precisely where Dalma has the clear advantage of a contractual waiver of termination from the 2nd policy year.
You will find further detailed comparisons on our comparison pages: Dalma vs. Petolo, Dalma vs. HanseMerkur, Dalma vs. Agila.
Frequently asked questions: cover for puppies and young dogs
Which is the best puppy insurance?
Which insurance suits your puppy depends on three criteria. First: how early is enrolment possible? With Dalma, from the 8th week of life, so right after collection from the breeder. Second: which waiting periods apply? With Dalma, 14 days for surgery, 30 days for illness, 12 months for dental. Third: are vaccinations covered via the preventive care budget? With Dalma, yes: 70 or 100 euros per year with no waiting period from the first day.
What should I look out for when choosing puppy insurance?
Look out for the following points: entry age (ideally from the 8th week of life), waiting periods for illness and operation, preventive care budget with a waiting-period exemption, reimbursement rate and annual benefit limit, cover for puppy diseases such as parvovirus and giardia, and the logic of the long-term premium adjustment. Be cautious of tariffs that exclude puppy diseases or increase deductibles with age.
Which puppy insurance is suitable for my Labrador puppy?
Labrador puppies have an increased predisposition to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and obesity-related secondary conditions. With Dalma, a health insurance with surgery cover and a sufficient annual benefit limit (at least 3,000 euros per year) is sensible. Important: severe congenital forms of HD are excluded, while acquired secondary conditions such as secondary osteoarthritis or a cruciate ligament tear are covered.
Which insurance is worthwhile for an 8-week-old puppy?
At 8 weeks, you can insure your puppy immediately with Dalma. That is the ideal time, because the waiting periods run from the start of the policy and you get the lowest entry price. Recommendation: health insurance with surgery cover and the full reimbursement rate. The preventive care budget applies from the first day for vaccinations and puppy checks.
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 4-month-old puppy?
At 4 months, your puppy is in the socialisation and dog-school phase, and teething begins. With Dalma, all puppy diseases are covered after a 30-day waiting period. If you only take out the policy now, note: conditions that already exist or have been diagnosed are excluded, so starting the policy before the first vet visit is optimal.
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 6-month-old puppy?
At 6 months, your puppy reaches sexual maturity, smaller breeds earlier. Frequent decisions at this age: neutering yes or no, first dog-school final tests. With Dalma, neutering and the associated procedures are covered after a 14-day surgery waiting period, provided it is not a congenital indication.
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 1-year-old young dog?
At 1 year, your dog is at its health peak; smaller breeds are fully grown, large breeds still growing. With Dalma, you receive the full reimbursement rate with no age surcharge. Recommendation: health insurance with surgery cover, since the first birthday often coincides with the end of the 12-month dental waiting period.
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 2-year-old young dog?
At 2 years, your dog is almost at its physical peak; large breeds have completed their HD diagnostics. If you do not yet have insurance, now is a good time to take out a policy; the premium is still cheap. Full reimbursement rate with no age surcharge.
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 3-year-old dog?
At 3 years, your dog is at its physical peak and in its calmest phase health-wise. Routine preventive care and accident cover are in the foreground. With Dalma, you receive the full reimbursement rate; the entry price is cheaper than for later policies, but higher than for puppies.
Are vaccinations reimbursed at Dalma?
Yes, vaccinations are covered on a pro-rata basis via the preventive care budget: 70 or 100 euros per year, with no waiting period from the first day of the health insurance. This lets the combination vaccinations (50 to 70 euros) be partly offset. In the pure surgery insurance, preventive care benefits are not included.
Which waiting periods apply for puppy insurance?
With Dalma: 14 days for operations, 30 days for illnesses, 12 months for dental conditions such as FORL, gingivitis or periodontitis. Accidents and preventive care benefits are covered with no waiting period from the first day. The waiting periods begin with the start of the policy.
What happens to my insurance after the puppy age?
Once your puppy is insured with Dalma, the contract continues for life. There is no automatic switch to another policy, no age-related cancellation. From the 11th year of life, a transparent benefit adjustment applies: the reimbursement rate for illness falls by 5 percentage points per year from the starting value; accident benefits remain unchanged.
Do I need dog liability insurance for my puppy?
In five federal states (Berlin, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia), dog liability insurance is required by law; in the other federal states it is voluntary, but strongly recommended. It covers damage that your puppy causes to third parties, e.g. while romping in the park or in a road accident. Unlike health insurance, the Dalma dog liability insurance has no age limit and can be taken out for dogs of any age.
Are congenital puppy diseases insured at Dalma?
Congenital and hereditary conditions are excluded from cover. This concerns, for example, severe forms of hip dysplasia, congenital eye conditions or brachycephalic syndrome in short-nosed breeds. Acquired puppy diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, giardia or acquired secondary conditions of a predisposition are covered after the waiting period.
How high are the vet costs for puppies on average?
According to analyses from vet practices, the annual treatment costs for a puppy in the first year of life are between 500 and 1,500 euros. Of this, around 200 to 350 euros are for the primary vaccination series, the rest for routine examinations, worming, neutering and unexpected puppy diseases.
Sources and further information
Dalma product documents
Dalma tariff calculator and policy sign-up
Dalma NI document on the insurance terms
Dalma table of guarantees on the benefits
Veterinary sources
Standing Veterinary Vaccination Commission (StIKo Vet) at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute
Helvetia: hip dysplasia in dogs
Further Dalma content
Dog health insurance for older dogs
Dalma vs. HanseMerkur: comparison
Sources and further information
Dalma product documents
Dalma tariff calculator and policy sign-up
Dalma NI document on the insurance terms
Dalma table of guarantees on the benefits
Veterinary sources
Standing Veterinary Vaccination Commission (StIKo Vet) at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute
Helvetia: hip dysplasia in dogs
Further Dalma content
Dog health insurance for older dogs
Dalma vs. HanseMerkur: comparison
