Accident Insurance Germany 2026Compare Private Cover in English
Statutory insurance only covers you at work. Private accident insurance (Unfallversicherung) fills the gap everywhere else. Compare German tariffs here in plain English.
At a glance
Last updated: April 2026What it covers
- - 24/7 worldwide cover for non-work accidents
- - Lump sum for permanent impairment (Invaliditaet)
- - Optional daily hospital allowance and accident pension
- - Rescue and repatriation costs
Key facts (2026)
- - Legal basis: VVG sections 178-191
- - Entry plans from around EUR 10 to 15 per month
- - Up to 500% progressive payout for severe cases
- - Visa status does not usually matter
Why compare accident insurance with us
Independent tariffs from German insurers, explained in English, with live quotes from the same databases the big German comparison portals use.
English first
No German required to compare
VVG-based
Rules from sections 178-191
Under 2 minutes
Free, no commitment
Expat friendly
Visa status usually doesn't matter
What accident insurance actually covers
The German Insurance Contract Act defines an accident in a specific way. Under VVG section 178, an accident is a sudden, external event that involuntarily harms your body. Falling off a bike counts. A gradual back problem from years of desk work does not. The sudden part matters in claims, and so does the external part.
A private policy pays out in three main situations:
- Permanent impairment (Invaliditaet), defined in VVG section 180 as damage that will last for life or, on medical prognosis, more than three years.
- Death following an accident, a lump sum for your family.
- Extra benefits you pick as add-ons, such as daily hospital allowance, a monthly accident pension, rescue costs, and plastic surgery after injury.
VVG section 179 adds a rule worth knowing if you are insuring a partner or child: you need their written consent for the policy to be valid when someone else holds the contract.
Statutory vs private: two different systems
People confuse these all the time. Here is a side-by-side table so you can see where each one starts and stops.
| Question | Statutory (SGB VII) | Private (VVG 178-191) |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays? | Your employer | You |
| When does it apply? | At work, on commute, school or university | Anywhere, anytime, worldwide |
| Who runs it? | Berufsgenossenschaften, Unfallkassen | Commercial insurers (Allianz, HUK, DEVK, others) |
| What does it pay? | Medical care, rehabilitation, state pension if disabled | Cash lump sum, optional pension, add-ons |
| Opt out? | No, legal obligation for employers | Yes, voluntary |
Statutory cover is run by DGUV, the umbrella body for public accident carriers. For anything outside work, private insurance is the only real route in Germany.
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What it costs in Germany in 2026
Published price data is thin because premiums vary by age, profession, base sum, and progression factor. Two data points you can actually trust right now:
- NEOdirect (independent broker, licensed in Germany) lists basic adult plans from around EUR 10 per month for 24/7 worldwide cover with a EUR 500,000 lump sum at 100% disability.
- Finanztip (independent German consumer finance site, 2025 guide) suggests aiming for a base sum around six times your gross annual income combined with a progression factor, because the real money only kicks in with severe disability.
Children's tariffs usually run cheaper, often in the single-digit euros per month. Office jobs pay less than building-site jobs. If you ride a motorbike or climb rocks on weekends, expect to answer more questions and pay a bit more.
Cost drivers you control
Base sum, progression factor (150, 225, 350, 500 percent), add-ons such as daily hospital allowance, and profession risk class. The widget above lets you move each of these and see the price change live.
How payouts are calculated
Two concepts drive the final figure: the Gliedertaxe (body-parts table) and the progression factor.
Gliedertaxe: the body-parts table
Insurers use a table to decide how much a permanent injury is worth. Values are not fixed by law. The GDV publishes a model scale, but exact numbers differ from contract to contract. Illustrative reference points only:
- - Arm: around 70 percent
- - Leg: around 70 percent
- - Eye: around 50 percent
- - Thumb: around 20 percent
- - Hearing in one ear: around 30 percent
Always check the table in your own contract; these numbers vary by insurer.
Progression: why 500 percent exists
Most decent policies include a progression factor. It boosts the payout disproportionately for severe injuries:
- - 150 or 225 percent: modest boost
- - 350 percent: strong boost above 50 percent disability
- - 500 percent: total disability pays 5x the base sum
A smaller base sum with 350 to 500 percent progression usually protects you better than a large base sum without progression.
For expats: what to know before you buy
Most insurers will cover you as long as you are a resident in Germany with a German bank account. Your visa status (Blue Card, student visa, Niederlassungserlaubnis, EU freedom of movement) does not usually matter. Four points that do matter:
Language of the contract
Usually German, though several insurers now offer English claim support. Ask before you sign.
Coverage abroad
24/7 worldwide is standard. Long stays outside Germany can limit benefits; check how "stable residence" is defined.
Sport restrictions
Recreational sport is almost always included. Competition-level or high-risk sport usually needs a supplement.
Existing conditions
Most tariffs skip the medical exam but still ask health questions. Answer honestly. Hiding a condition gives the insurer grounds to refuse later.
If loans or car cover also need sorting as part of your move, see our loan comparison for foreigners and car insurance comparison while you are here. Personal liability insurance for expats is usually the other essential policy on day one.
Frequently asked questions
Answers drawn straight from the VVG and from independent German consumer sources.
Accident insurance is one of several policies worth considering in Germany. For the wider picture, read our insurance in Germany guide. Looking for budget tariffs? See our cheap accident insurance breakdown.
When does private accident insurance pay out?
When a sudden external event causes physical damage, as defined under VVG section 178. Classic examples are falls, sports injuries, road accidents outside work, and kitchen accidents. Slow-onset problems such as wear and tear, most illnesses, and psychological conditions sit outside the definition.
How is disability calculated?
Through the Gliedertaxe table in your specific contract. Each body part is assigned a percentage, and the payout is the base sum times that percentage times your progression factor. Partial losses are counted proportionally. Values differ between insurers.
Does accident insurance pay medical bills?
Not primarily. Medical care in Germany runs through statutory (GKV) or private (PKV) health insurance. Accident insurance pays a cash lump sum for the long-term consequences of an accident, such as retraining, home adaptation, or income loss.
What base sum should I pick?
Finanztip recommends around six times your gross annual salary combined with a high progression factor of 350 or 500 percent. A EUR 30,000 salary would point to a base sum near EUR 180,000 with progression on top. The widget above lets you test different numbers.
Is private accident insurance tax-deductible?
In most cases no, because it is treated as a private insurance expense under the Income Tax Act. Self-employed people should talk to a German tax adviser (Steuerberater) since some facts change there.
Do I need a medical exam?
Most standard tariffs skip the medical exam but still ask health questions on the application. Answer them honestly. A pre-existing condition does not automatically block cover, but misrepresentation can cost you the whole claim later.
Can foreigners and expats get cover?
Yes. As a resident in Germany with a German bank account you can generally buy a policy regardless of your visa type. Check whether the insurer offers English claim handling if your German is still limited.
Is this the same as Berufsunfaehigkeitsversicherung?
No. Berufsunfaehigkeitsversicherung pays a monthly pension when illness or injury ends your career. Private accident insurance pays a one-off lump sum and only for accidents, not illness. Many people buy both because they solve different problems.
Keep exploring accident cover
Need dental or hospital cover too? Check supplementary health insurance to fill gaps in statutory cover.
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