In the context of a society that is increasingly respectful of the well-being and safety of our two-legged and four-legged friends, on 29 September 2023 the new animal welfare law.
This legislation not only promotes the care and protection of animal rights, but it also establishes the obligation to take out civil liability insurance for them.
In this article we will explore in detail the impact of this new law, what obligations it introduces and why liability cover is essential for animal protection.
What does the new Animal Welfare Act entail?
So that you can identify the specific regulation we are talking about, it is Law 7/2023, of 28 March, on the protection of the rights and welfare of animals. As we said, it comes into force on 29 September 2023, although it is still awaiting regulatory development.
It is important to note that this protection law not only applies to companion animals and pets such as dogs and cats, but also to other animals such as cows, pigs, horses or poultry.
What does this regulation cover?
- Slaughter ban. Slaughter of animals as a method of population control or as a preventive measure is prohibited. Slaughter is only allowed in exceptional cases, such as when the animal is suffering from an incurable disease or when it represents a danger to public health.
- Prohibition of abandonment. Abandonment is also prohibited. The person responsible for the animal must ensure its welfare and may not abandon it at any time.
- Compulsory registration. Owners and keepers of animals must duly register them in an official register. This ensures the identification and traceability of the animals, and is essential to prevent abandonment and mistreatment.
- Identification obligation. All domestic animals must be identified by microchip or by any other means that allows their individual identification.
- Duty of care. Persons responsible for the animal must ensure its physical and psychological well-being by providing it with adequate food, veterinary care, appropriate accommodation and necessary care.
- Prohibition of animal abuse. Any kind of physical or psychological mistreatment of animals is prohibited.
- Sanctions. Penalties are established for those who break the law, ranging from fines to removal of the animal.
As far as insurance is concerned, the new regulation has also introduced an important novelty. Until now, dogs were only required to have civil liability insurance if they were Potentially Dangerous Dogs (PPP).
However, with the entry into force of this law, ALL dogs must now have liability insurance. to protect and respond to possible damage to third parties caused by the animal. This means that the more than 9 million dogs in our country must have this insurance.
The 3 key benefits of Dog Insurance
The inclusion of this legal obligation in the law is not in vain. Dog insurance is essential for many reasons, among them:
- Economic protection: Dog insurance covers legal costs and compensation in case your dog causes damage to third parties. This includes injuries to people, damage to property or incidents with other pets. By having this cover, you protect yourself financially from unexpected situations.
- Well-being of your pet: In addition to third party protection, some dog insurance policies also offer medical cover for your faithful companion. This ensures that your dog receives the necessary medical care in case of illness or accident.
- Legal compliance: By having liability insurance for your dog, you will be complying with the law and will avoid possible penalties and fines for not complying with this regulation.
How to obtain Dog Insurance coverage
Until now, many people had certain coverage for their pets through their home insurance. In the past, taking out a private and family liability policy used to cover the possible damage caused by our dogs to others, at least in the case of non-dangerous dogs.
Now, following the introduction of this new law, it remains to be seen what insurers have to say about this regulatory coverage. Each insurance company is reacting differently to the law, So the first advice we can give you is to contact your insurer or broker and ask what your situation is.
These are the three options you may encounter:
- That your home insurance to allow for the inclusion of a clause where you can specify the name, chip number and other details of your animal, thus certifying that it is covered.
- That your policy also gives you cover, but that, nevertheless, do not permit the inclusion of a clause specifying which dog is covered by the policy.
- That your home insurance refuses to provide coverage liability insurance for your dog, and require you to take out a specific dog insurance policy.
Options 1 and 2 could offer you cover at no extra cost to you. This is certainly the most ideal situation you could find yourself in.
Not all is said and done with the Animal Welfare Act
All this is a temporary situation. The fact is that thehe Law has yet to be implemented by a Regulation, which has yet to be drafted. These regulations will specify much more detail about the type of insurance to be taken out: minimum sums insured, specific coverages required, etc.
What we can tell you today is that, whatever insurance you take out, it should have sufficient liability capital, as well as legal defence in the event of an incident.
By «sufficient capital» we mean that if your dog harms a person or, let's say, causes an accident, you should have a sufficient sum insured to cover the financial losses you would have to bear. Our advice is to take out a capital sum, of course, in excess of 300,000 euros.
Can we help you choose your dog insurance?
We hope that all these tips and comments have helped you to understand more clearly what the Animal Welfare Act is all about.
If you would like us to help you with your specific case when looking for a safe for dogs and pets, you can count on our assistance free of charge. Tell us your situation and PIB Group Iberia will advise you, looking for the best insurance at the best price.
