Civil Liability Insurance for dogs (minimum 120.000 €)

What you need to have to hand

1. DNI/NIE of the policyholder.
2. Número de microchip of the dog (shown in the cartilla veterinaria).
3. Cartilla veterinaria and up-to-date vaccinations.
4. Address where the dog lives and contact (mobile/email).
5. IBAN or card to pay.
6. If you plan to use your seguro del hogar, ask for a certificado with the microchip and capital ≥ 120.000 €.

Documentation

• Identification of the policyholder: number and expiry of the DNI/NIE.
• Identification of the animal: exact microchip, breed/size and date of birth.
• Cartilla veterinaria: they may ask for it for manual checks.
• Risk address: where the dog normally stays.
• Claims history: if there were previous incidents.
• Payment method: IBAN or card for the annual premium.

Step by step

1. Check the microchip in the cartilla. Without a chip, some insurers won’t quote you.
2. Search the product on your insurer’s/bank’s website: “RC perros” or “Seguro de mascotas (solo RC)”.
3. Fill in details for the policyholder and the dog: microchip, breed/size, age, address and past claims.
4. Choose cover: minimum 120.000 €; add defensa jurídica if it’s not included; avoid high franquicias.
5. Check exclusions: excluded breeds, mandatory muzzle/leash, professional use not covered, damage to cohabitants not covered.
6. Pay and download the policy and the certificate with microchip. Save it on your phone and email.
7. Municipal register: if your ayuntamiento requires it, upload the certificate when registering the dog (for example, Madrid via sede.madrid.es, they request policy and paid receipt).

Time-savers

• Ask for the certificate from minute one; many sites generate it when you pay.
• Compare capitals: sometimes 150.000 € costs the same as 120.000 €.
• If you have home RC, get confirmation in writing that it includes your dog by microchip and the legal capital. If not, buy a specific RC policy.
• Auto-renewal: set a reminder one month before renewal in case you want to switch.

Common mistakes that mess up the process

1. Trusting home insurance without a microchip certificate: at a check or claim they can treat you as uninsured.
2. Choosing a high franquicia: you save a few euros a year and then pay the bill yourself when something happens.
3. Policy “under review”: if you don’t have an issued certificate, don’t assume coverage.
4. Capital under 120.000 €: doesn’t meet the law.
5. Not checking exclusions: no leash/muzzle where required can mean no cover.