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Insurance for dogs and cats in Switzerland

Who insures what, and on what terms? A neutral overview from a veterinary practice — no commission, no affiliation.

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The essentials in 30 seconds Insure your pet young and healthy : illnesses already known will then no longer be covered, and several insurers no longer accept animals over 4 to 7 years old. Compare the reimbursement rate, the deductible and the ceiling — not just the premium. As a rough guide: ≈ 5 to 60 CHF/month depending on plan and deductible for a cat, ≈ 6 to 86 CHF/month depending on plan and deductible for a dog. Do you have a rabbit, a ferret, a bird or a reptile? See the page dedicated to exotic pets.

Why insure your pet?

Veterinary medicine is advancing — imaging, surgery, intensive care — and the bills follow: a night-time emergency followed by surgery and a few days of hospitalisation quickly runs into thousands of francs. That is precisely what veterinary fee insurance covers: it prevents a medical decision from becoming a financial one. The Society of Swiss Veterinarians points out that these policies "cover unforeseen financial burdens" and make it easier to carry out costly treatments.

In practice, you pay your vet as usual, then the insurer reimburses you according to your contract (rate, deductible, ceiling). You keep free choice of vet.

The insurers active in Switzerland

Seven providers insure the veterinary fees of dogs and cats (alphabetical order). Data collected from their official websites on 9 July 2026.

InsurerAnimalsCoverReimbursementCeiling Ceiling: the maximum amount the insurer reimburses, per year or per event depending on the contract. Beyond that, the costs are yours to bear.Age at sign-up
Allianz Suisse Dogs and cats Illness + accident, emergencies; complementary and dental medicine depending on the plan 100% or 80% until the animal is 8, 80% from age 9 3 000, 6 000 or 12 000 CHF/year depending on the plan No age limit or breed restriction
Animalia Dogs and cats Illness + accident at any qualified vet (Compact plan: accident only); prevention and complementary medicine depending on the plan 90% of costs No amount limit From 3 months, no age limit at sign-up
Epona Dogs, cats Three variants: A "Essentielle" = accidents; B "Complète" = + illnesses; C "Premium" = + hereditary/congenital illnesses, tumours and prevention 90% of costs 10 000 (A), 25 000 (B) or 50 000 (C) CHF/year From 3 months, no age limit (sign-up by form, not online)
Generali Suisse Dogs and cats Illness + accident (household insurance module); emergency transport; death benefit (400 CHF) and loss/theft (100 CHF) Depending on the contract — see quote 2 000 or 5 000 CHF/year, your choice Sign-up up to the animal's 5th year
La Mobilière Dogs and cats Illness + accident (alternative medicine in Classic and Comfort; dental covered) 80% (Minima, Classic) or 100% (Comfort) 2 000 / 3 000 / 5 000 CHF per case depending on the plan Dog: 3 months to 4 years — Cat: 3 months to 6 years (cover then for life)
Sanitas Dogs and cats Illness + accident; dental and hospitalisation/boarding up to the insured sum; behavioural medicine; Premium: alternative medicine, prevention and cutting-edge medicine 90% of costs 10 000 (Smart) or 20 000 (Premium) CHF/year From 8 weeks, no age limit
Simpego Dogs and cats Illness + accident, including hereditary and congenital illnesses; dental, alternative medicine and prevention depending on the plan 100% of costs 3 000 (Base), 6 000 (Standard) or 12 000 (Complète) CHF/year From 8 weeks, no age limit, all breeds
SWICA Dogs and cats Illness + accident; depending on the plan: prevention (vaccinations, neutering, antiparasitics), dental, physiotherapy/acupuncture, behavioural consultations 80 to 100% depending on the plan and age Depending on the plan — see quote From 8 weeks, no age limit or breed restriction
Trupanion Dogs and cats Illness + accident, single comprehensive plan; hereditary and congenital illnesses; complementary therapies (20 sessions/year) Up to 95% (choice of rate) 20 000 CHF/year No age or breed limit
wau-miau (Helvetia) Dogs and cats Illness + accident, Basic, Clever, Optima and Exclusive packs; dental, prevention and complementary medicine depending on the pack 90% of costs Unlimited reimbursement sum Sign-up between 3 months and 6 years, animal in good health

"As per quote": information not published on the insurer's website — to be requested when the offer is drawn up.

Allianz Suisse

Animals: Dogs and cats

Cover: Illness + accident, emergencies; complementary and dental medicine depending on the plan

Reimbursement: 100% or 80% until the animal is 8, 80% from age 9 — ceiling: 3 000, 6 000 or 12 000 chf/year depending on the plan Ceiling: the maximum amount the insurer reimburses, per year or per event depending on the contract. Beyond that, the costs are yours to bear.

  • Three plans (base, standard, comprehensive)
  • Annual deductible of your choice: 0 to 2 000 CHF
  • Pre-existing conditions insurable under certain conditions
  • The premium does not increase with the animal's age
🔗 Official website

Animalia

Vaudoise Group (since 2016) — same group as Epona

Animals: Dogs and cats

Cover: Illness + accident at any qualified vet (Compact plan: accident only); prevention and complementary medicine depending on the plan

Reimbursement: 90% of costs — ceiling: no amount limit Ceiling: the maximum amount the insurer reimburses, per year or per event depending on the contract. Beyond that, the costs are yours to bear.

  • Pioneer (2002) and Swiss market leader — unlimited sum
  • Hereditary and congenital illnesses covered in the Comfort plan
  • Prevention pack: 100 CHF free each year, free GPS tracker
  • Complementary medicine 600 CHF/year; accommodation/boarding 200 CHF/year
  • Note: the premium rises in age brackets; Compact plan = accident only
🔗 Official website

Epona

Vaudoise Group, same group as Animalia (merger into Vaudoise Générale on 01.01.2026, brand retained)

Animals: Dogs, cats — but also horses, cattle, farm animals and birds

Cover: Three variants: A "Essentielle" = accidents; B "Complète" = + illnesses; C "Premium" = + hereditary/congenital illnesses, tumours and prevention

Reimbursement: 90% of costs — ceiling: 10 000 (a), 25 000 (b) or 50 000 (c) chf/year Ceiling: the maximum amount the insurer reimburses, per year or per event depending on the contract. Beyond that, the costs are yours to bear.

  • Over 120 years of animal insurance; accident waiting period of just one day
  • Variant C: hereditary and congenital illnesses and tumours + prevention 300 CHF/year
  • Ceiling up to 50 000 CHF/year; travel assistance included (Europe Assistance)
  • Premium increase with age among the gentlest on the market
  • The only one to offer bird insurance — but based on the animal's value (death), not on veterinary fees
🔗 Official website

Generali Suisse

Animals: Dogs and cats

Cover: Illness + accident (household insurance module); emergency transport; death benefit (400 CHF) and loss/theft (100 CHF)

Reimbursement: Depending on the contract — see quote — ceiling: 2 000 or 5 000 chf/year, your choice Ceiling: the maximum amount the insurer reimburses, per year or per event depending on the contract. Beyond that, the costs are yours to bear.

  • A simple add-on to household insurance, from ≈ 110 CHF/year
  • Worldwide cover
  • Compensation in the event of the animal's death or loss
  • Note: low ceilings (2 000 / 5 000 CHF/year); sign-up before age 5
🔗 Official website

La Mobilière

Animals: Dogs and cats

Cover: Illness + accident (alternative medicine in Classic and Comfort; dental covered)

Reimbursement: 80% (Minima, Classic) or 100% (Comfort) — ceiling: 2 000 / 3 000 / 5 000 chf per case depending on the plan Ceiling: the maximum amount the insurer reimburses, per year or per event depending on the contract. Beyond that, the costs are yours to bear.

  • The premium stays stable as the animal ages
  • Dental medicine covered; alternative medicine 3×/year up to 400 CHF (Classic, Comfort)
  • Reduced deductible for owners under 26; ambulance 100 CHF/event
  • Note: hereditary illnesses not covered; per-case ceiling quickly reached in intensive care
🔗 Official website

Sanitas

Animals: Dogs and cats

Cover: Illness + accident; dental and hospitalisation/boarding up to the insured sum; behavioural medicine; Premium: alternative medicine, prevention and cutting-edge medicine

Reimbursement: 90% of costs — ceiling: 10 000 (smart) or 20 000 (premium) chf/year Ceiling: the maximum amount the insurer reimburses, per year or per event depending on the contract. Beyond that, the costs are yours to bear.

  • Newcomer (July 2026), praised by Bonus.ch for the clarity of its terms
  • 0 CHF deductible; cancellation possible every month
  • Hereditary and congenital illnesses covered
  • Premium: alternative medicine 2 000 CHF/year, cutting-edge medicine (chemotherapy, transplants) 10 000 CHF/year
  • Note: 14-day waiting period for accidents too; the premium changes with age
🔗 Official website

Simpego

Direct takeover of Calingo policies on 01.01.2026 (Simpego was already the risk carrier)

Animals: Dogs and cats

Cover: Illness + accident, including hereditary and congenital illnesses; dental, alternative medicine and prevention depending on the plan

Reimbursement: 100% of costs — ceiling: 3 000 (base), 6 000 (standard) or 12 000 (complète) chf/year Ceiling: the maximum amount the insurer reimburses, per year or per event depending on the contract. Beyond that, the costs are yours to bear.

  • 100% reimbursed, 0 CHF deductible — fully online sign-up
  • The premium does not increase with the animal's age; cancellation possible every month
  • "Medical history" option: pre-existing conditions insurable (1 500 CHF for 2 years)
  • Alternative medicine up to 2 500 CHF/year, dental up to 12 000 CHF, worldwide protection
  • Also distributed by SWICA (petCARE); former Calingo policies unchanged
🔗 Official website

SWICA

petCARE product in partnership with Simpego (formerly Calingo)

Animals: Dogs and cats

Cover: Illness + accident; depending on the plan: prevention (vaccinations, neutering, antiparasitics), dental, physiotherapy/acupuncture, behavioural consultations

Reimbursement: 80 to 100% depending on the plan and age — ceiling: depending on the plan — see quote Ceiling: the maximum amount the insurer reimburses, per year or per event depending on the contract. Beyond that, the costs are yours to bear.

  • Annual deductible of your choice: 0 to 2 000 CHF — no per-visit deductible
  • Pre-existing conditions insurable under certain conditions
  • Cancellable every month
  • Worldwide cover in the basic plans
🔗 Official website

Trupanion

Launched in Switzerland in 2024 (formerly Smart Paws)

Animals: Dogs and cats

Cover: Illness + accident, single comprehensive plan; hereditary and congenital illnesses; complementary therapies (20 sessions/year)

Reimbursement: Up to 95% (choice of rate) — ceiling: 20 000 chf/year Ceiling: the maximum amount the insurer reimburses, per year or per event depending on the contract. Beyond that, the costs are yours to bear.

  • Direct payment to the vet (VetDirect Pay): no upfront costs — rare on the market
  • A single comprehensive plan, choice of reimbursement rate up to 95%
  • Breed-specific hereditary illnesses covered if signed up before 6 months
  • Note: routine care and prevention (vaccinations, antiparasitics) excluded
🔗 Official website

wau-miau (Helvetia)

Européenne ERV, Helvetia group (since 2019) — also sold directly by Helvetia

Animals: Dogs and cats

Cover: Illness + accident, Basic, Clever, Optima and Exclusive packs; dental, prevention and complementary medicine depending on the pack

Reimbursement: 90% of costs — ceiling: unlimited reimbursement sum Ceiling: the maximum amount the insurer reimburses, per year or per event depending on the contract. Beyond that, the costs are yours to bear.

  • Unlimited reimbursement sum
  • Four packs, from the minimum (Basic) to extended cover (Exclusive)
  • Breed-specific hereditary illnesses: 5 000 CHF/year in Optima and Exclusive
  • Exclusive: veterinary teleconsultations (PocDoc), euthanasia included
  • Note: sign-up before age 6; the premium rises with age
🔗 Official website
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Independent comparison — data verified on 9 July 2026 This comparison is purely editorial: we receive no commission and have no commercial link with any insurer. The information comes from official websites; the insurers' general terms and conditions alone are authoritative. Note: Animalia and Epona belong to the same group (Vaudoise). For any decision, request 2 or 3 quotes and compare the terms, not just the premium.

Compare carefully before signing

  • Reimbursement rate — 80, 90 or 100%? And does it change with the animal's age?
  • Deductible and co-payment — per year or per case? A low premium often hides a high deductible.
  • Ceiling — annual or per event? 5 000 CHF is quickly used up in intensive care.
  • Exclusions — pre-existing, hereditary or congenital illnesses (a sensitive point for at-risk breeds), dental.
  • Waiting periods — often a few days for accidents, several weeks for illness.
  • Age — sign-up limit, and how the premium changes as the animal ages.
  • Prevention — vaccinations, neutering, antiparasitics: included, optional, or excluded?
  • Complementary medicine — physiotherapy, acupuncture: useful in orthopaedics and geriatrics.
  • Free choice of vet — including emergency and referral centres.
  • Cancellation — commitment period, cancellation after a claim.
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The practice's advice The right time to insure is at adoption: the animal is young, healthy, with no exclusions. Read the list of exclusions before the premium — that's where the plans really differ. And if you choose not to insure, open a dedicated savings account: the important thing is to have a reserve for the day when things get complicated.

And exotic pets? Rabbits, ferrets, birds, reptiles…

The subject nobody covers — and for good reason: there is almost nothing on offer. We've reviewed it all.

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Insuring an exotic pet in Switzerland

The real state of what's on offer in 2026, species by species, and the genuine alternatives when no insurance exists.

Read the exotic pets feature →

Frequently asked questions

How much does dog or cat insurance cost in Switzerland?

As a rough guide (June 2026): ≈ 5 to 60 CHF/month depending on plan and deductible for a cat and ≈ 6 to 86 CHF/month depending on plan and deductible for a dog. The actual premium depends on the species, the breed, the animal's age and the plan (deductible, ceiling, options).

Up to what age can you insure your pet?

Many insurers limit sign-up to animals under 4 to 7 years old; SWICA and Allianz accept animals with no age limit. In all cases, illnesses already declared before sign-up are in principle excluded: it is better to insure a young, healthy animal.

Is pet insurance compulsory in Switzerland?

No. Don't confuse it with liability insurance: most cantons require a dog owner to be covered for liability (via private liability insurance), but that insurance covers damage caused to third parties, not the veterinary fees of your own animal.

Is this comparison paid for by the insurers?

No. No commission, no affiliate link: this editorial comparison is written by the veterinary practice that publishes this site, based on the insurers' public information.

Which is the best insurance for my pet?

There is no single answer: it all depends on the species, the breed (predispositions), the age and your budget. Compare the reimbursement rate, the deductible, the annual ceiling and the exclusions, then request 2 or 3 quotes.