Case of the Month · November 2026
Courier on the car: Does dog liability insurance pay?
Three barking dogs, a parcel courier on the bonnet and scratches in the paint. Does dog liability insurance pay for that, the courier, or nobody? The Amtsgericht München (Munich Local Court) decided a real case. Here it is, told as a fictional customer letter with our reply.
Dear KiS,
I had ordered a parcel. On the first attempt in the morning a code was missing, so the courier and I agreed on the afternoon. I was home on time. So were my three dogs.
Domino, Dalli and little Krümel love visitors. When I opened the door, they ran out barking to say hello. The courier took it differently and a second later was standing on the bonnet of my car. With the parcel. Respect for that jump.
Since then I can see scratches and dents on the bonnet. Neither he nor his company wants to pay for the respray. Surely my dog liability insurance will pay now, right?
Kind regards
Daniel, owner of Domino, Dalli and Krümel
The letter is fictional. The judgment is real.
Dear Daniel,
thank you for your letter and the sketch. Unfortunately we have to disappoint you, twice in fact: the courier does not have to pay, and neither does your dog liability insurance.
Animal keeper liability: what the court decided
The Amtsgericht München decided exactly this kind of case. The dog owner claimed around 2,700 euros for a new bonnet and came away empty-handed.
- Court
- Amtsgericht München
- Judgment
- 12.02.2026, Az. 223 C 6838/25, final
- Claimed
- 2,723.74 euros net for the respray
- Awarded
- 0 euros
The dogs don't have to bite. Anyone who keeps an animal is liable for the typical danger it poses, even without any fault of their own (§ 833 BGB, German Civil Code). That already includes dogs running towards a person barking and frightening them so much that they flee. Whether the dogs meant well and were still a few metres away made no difference.
You knew he was coming back. The afternoon appointment had been arranged. So you should have kept your three dogs under control when you opened the door. This contributory negligence (§ 254 BGB) weighed so heavily that any liability of the courier and his employer was eliminated entirely.
And the photos came too late. The court already doubted that the scratches came from the jump at all. The pictures were only taken months later and showed further damage to the bonnet as well.
Why your dog liability insurance doesn't pay here
Liability insurance covers damage that you or your dogs cause to others. Your own car is not included. If the courier had escaped onto your neighbour's car or had fallen while jumping, things would be different: then you would be the one the injured party turned to, and that is exactly what your pet owner liability insurance is for. More on this in our guide What dog owners need to know and in the comparison for pet insurance.
Whether comprehensive car insurance (Vollkasko) covers the paint depends on the terms and on how it happened. In this case, also factor in the downgrade of your no-claims class before you report a minor claim.
Three things for the next courier
- Secure your dogs before you open the door. Especially if you know someone is coming.
- Document damage on the same day. Record photos, the time, witnesses and any existing prior damage.
- Check your pet owner liability insurance. Are all your dogs in the policy, and is the sum insured enough in case someone does get hurt?
Your dogs surely meant well. The courier just didn't know that.
Warm regards
Ingo Forsthuber and the KiS team
Frequently asked questions about dog liability insurance
Does dog liability insurance pay for damage to your own car?
No. Dog liability insurance covers damage that your dog causes to others. Damage to your own property is not insured.
Is a dog owner liable even if the dog doesn't bite?
Yes, that is possible. According to the judgment of the AG München (Az. 223 C 6838/25), even running towards someone barking can count as a typical animal danger if it triggers an understandable flight reaction.
What should I document after damage caused by a dog?
Photos on the same day, the time, witnesses and any existing prior damage. The later photos are taken, the harder it is to prove that the damage came from exactly this incident.
Sources
- Amtsgericht München, press release 14/2026 of 27.04.2026 (stating: „Das Urteil ist rechtskräftig.“ – “The judgment is final.”).
- AG München, judgment of 12.02.2026, Az. 223 C 6838/25 (BeckRS 2026, 15341).
- § 833 BGB (liability of the animal keeper), § 254 BGB (contributory negligence).
Legal and editorial notice: The letter is a staged, entirely fictional claim report; the judgment discussed is real. This article is for general information only and does not replace individual advice. It is not legal advice. For specific legal questions, please contact a lawyer. Benefits depend on the respective tariff. KiS – Kontor im Schwarzwald GmbH, insurance broker licensed under § 34d Abs. 1 GewO, Reg.-Nr. D-PS74-61V96-00; as an insurance broker, we are paid by the insurers.