Group Accident InsuranceFor Your Team in Germany
One policy that covers your whole team, 24/7. We'll show you how it sits next to the statutory BG cover, how the §40b tax route actually works, and what real offers look like — in English, free, no German required.
BG vs private group accident: which is which?
In Germany you don't pick between the two. As an employer you pay the statutory Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) by law, and a private group policy sits on top to fill the gaps.
Statutory BG (mandatory)
- • Required by SGB VII §150 — employer pays
- • Covers accidents at work and on the commute (Wegeunfall)
- • Pays a Verletztenrente based on income loss
- • Does not cover leisure accidents
- • Does not pay invalidity lump sums
Group accident (voluntary)
- • One contract, multiple covered persons
- • 24-hour cover including leisure time
- • Lump-sum invalidity payout via Gliedertaxe
- • Optional worldwide scope, daily allowance, rehab
- • Useful as a benefit for hiring and retention
Source for statutory rules: SGB VII §150 (gesetze-im-internet.de) and DGUV.
What you get out of a group policy
No marketing fluff. Just what changes when you cover the team under one contract.
One invoice
Single contract, single billing, no per-person paperwork.
From 3 people
Most insurers (Allianz, Alte Leipziger) accept teams of 3+.
24/7 base
Optional worldwide scope — check the AVB before you sign.
Tax routes
§ 4 Abs. 4 EStG or § 40b flat-rate (€100 cap, 20%).
Compare live group offers
Pull quotes from major German insurers and brokers. Premiums depend on group size, age structure and your Gefahrenklasse (occupational hazard class).
What does it actually cost?
There's no "€X per person" that fits every team. Premiums scale with how many people you cover, their age range and the occupational hazard class (Gefahrenklasse 1-9). Here's a published benchmark from the German market — use it as a sanity check, not a quote.
| Source | Group size | Annual premium per person (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Allianz Betriebliche Unfallversicherung | From 3 persons | €70 – €326 / year (per published infographic) |
| Helvetia Gruppenunfall | Min. 3 persons | Up to €100 net / person if §40b flat-rate is used |
| R+V Gruppen-Unfallversicherung | Flexible | Includes Reha-Management up to €20,000 |
Figures published by the listed insurers. Your own quote will move with group size, age, and hazard class — always run a live comparison before signing.
What's usually inside the policy
Cover varies by tariff. These are the building blocks you'll see in most German group AVBs.
Death benefit
Lump sum paid to beneficiaries after a fatal accident. Sums are agreed in the contract — not standardised across insurers.
Invalidity (Gliedertaxe)
Percentage payouts based on a German Gliedertaxe schedule. Each insurer publishes its own table — compare progression options carefully.
Daily allowance
A fixed amount per day during recovery. Useful for sole earners and freelancers, less critical for salaried staff.
Worldwide scope
Optional in many tariffs. If your team travels outside the EU, ask the insurer to confirm geographic limits in writing.
Versichertenkreis
Defines who is covered: full-time staff, freelancers, board members, family. Sort this out in step 1, not at claim time.
Rehab & transport
Some tariffs (R+V, for example) add rehabilitation budgets and transport-home cover. Worth comparing for international teams.
The two tax routes — explained
German group accident premiums can flow through payroll in two ways. Most teams use a mix.
1. Business expense (§ 4 Abs. 4 EStG)
If the policy genuinely protects your business interest (key staff cover, project teams, travel risk), the premium is a normal Betriebsausgabe — fully deductible.
Reference: § 4 EStG (gesetze-im-internet.de)
2. Pauschalbesteuerung (§ 40b EStG)
If the cover is more of an employee benefit (24/7, leisure included), the employer can apply a 20% flat tax — capped at €100 per employee per year. Above that cap, the rest counts as taxable wage.
Reference: § 40b EStG (gesetze-im-internet.de)
This is not tax advice. Cross-check with your Steuerberater or with Verbraucherzentrale before you change payroll setup.
Set it up in four steps
- 1
List the people you want to cover
Full-time staff, working students, freelancers, board members, family — confirm the Versichertenkreis up front, not at claim time.
- 2
Choose the cover levels
Set sums for death, invalidity (with progression), daily allowance and rehab. For most teams, invalidity and progression matter more than the death benefit.
- 3
Pick the tax route
Either deduct as a business expense (§ 4 Abs. 4 EStG) or use the §40b flat-rate route. Mixing both is allowed but takes payroll setup.
- 4
Compare offers and sign
Use the comparison widget above. Check AVB clauses for worldwide cover, Wegeunfall and freelancer inclusion before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from English-speaking employers in Germany.
What's the difference between BG and group accident insurance?
Statutory accident insurance through Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) is mandatory for employers under SGB VII §150 and only covers work accidents and the daily commute. Private group personal accident insurance is voluntary and adds 24-hour cover, including leisure-time accidents. The two run side by side — they don't replace each other.
How is group accident insurance taxed in Germany?
Premiums are typically deductible as business expenses under § 4 Abs. 4 EStG. Employers can also use the Pauschalbesteuerung route (§ 40b EStG) at a 20% flat rate, capped at €100 per employee per year. Above that cap, the premium counts as taxable wage. Talk to your tax advisor for your specific setup.
How many employees do I need for a group policy?
Most German insurers ask for at least 3 covered persons, including big names like Allianz and Alte Leipziger. Some brokers and direct insurers go lower for very small teams, so it's worth comparing quotes before assuming a hard floor.
What does a group accident policy actually cover?
Cover varies by tariff, but most policies include a death benefit, an invalidity payout based on a Gliedertaxe schedule, daily allowances during recovery, and rehabilitation costs. Some tariffs add Wegeunfall, leisure accidents, or worldwide travel. Check the AVB (terms) for the specific provider — there's no single standard.
Is the cover valid worldwide and 24/7?
It depends on the tariff. Many group policies offer a 24/7 base with optional worldwide cover. Others limit cover to the EU or DACH region. If your team travels outside Europe, ask the insurer to confirm geographic scope and exclusions in writing before you sign.
Can I include freelancers or family members?
The Versichertenkreis (covered group) is defined in the contract. Employees are standard. Including freelancers, board members, trainees, or family is possible with most insurers but has to be agreed up front. Some tariffs offer family add-ons; others restrict cover to W2 staff only.
checkalle Insurance Editorial
We translate German insurance contracts into plain English so HR teams and founders don't sign things they can't read. Every claim on this page is sourced from German law (gesetze-im-internet.de), DGUV, GDV, Verbraucherzentrale or insurer publications. Last reviewed: April 2026.
Sources used on this page: SGB VII §150, §40b EStG, §4 EStG, DGUV, GDV, Verbraucherzentrale.
Cover your team — in English
Pull live group accident offers and compare them in plain English. Free, no German required.