ADAC Accident Insurance: Enhance comprehensive protection and financial security after an accident
16 Jun 2025
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
An accident can change life in a split second and incur high costs. The ADAC accident insurance provides crucial financial protection in such cases, but are you familiar with all the details regarding benefits and calculation bases?
The topic in brief and concise terms
The statutory accident insurance only covers around twenty percent of all accidents; therefore, private accident insurance like ADAC accident insurance is essential for comprehensive protection.
The amount of disability benefits largely depends on the sum insured, the degree of disability (according to the scale of injuries), and the progression rate.
Contributions to private accident insurance are tax-deductible within certain maximum limits.
Immediate Overview: What You Need to Know About Accident Insurance
The statutory accident insurance only covers accidents that occur at work, in school, or on direct routes to them. This means that around eighty percent of all accidents that happen during leisure time or in the home are not covered by statutory insurance. A private accident insurance, such as the ADAC Accident Insurance, fills this gap and offers worldwide protection, 24 hours a day. The core benefit is the disability benefit, a lump sum payment for permanent impairment. The amount of this benefit depends on the agreed insurance sum, the degree of disability according to the limb scale, and any possible progression.
Understanding the Scope of Benefits: What does the ADAC Accident Insurance cover?
ADAC Accident Insurance offers financial benefits after an accident, which vary depending on the plan (e.g., Basic or Exclusive). Among the core benefits is the disability benefit, a lump sum payment in the event of permanent physical impairment. The full disability benefit is often paid from eighty percent disability. Other potential benefits include hospital daily allowance, convalescence payment, or costs for vehicle modifications. Rescue costs can also be reimbursed up to the agreed amount. An overview of the insurance benefits is crucial. The specific conditions and benefit levels are specified in the insurance policy and terms and conditions. Payment is usually made within two weeks of determining the claim.
Calculating Disability Benefit: How Payments Are Composed
The calculation of disability benefits is a central aspect of any private accident insurance. Three main factors determine the payout amount: the agreed disability sum (base sum), the determined degree of disability, and the chosen progression. Ideally, the disability sum should be five to six times the gross annual income, but at least 100,000 euros. The degree of disability is determined based on the impairment table, which specifies what percentage is applied in cases of loss or incapacity of certain body parts. Progression ensures that at higher degrees of disability, the benefit increases disproportionately; for example, a 500 percent progression could mean five times the base sum in the case of full disability. A cost comparison for accident insurance helps in making a choice. An example calculation: with a base sum of 100,000 euros and a degree of disability of sixty percent without progression, 60,000 euros would be paid out. With a 500 percent progression, according to the progression scale, it could be 180,000 euros.
Practical example of benefit calculation
Let's assume a covered person has an ADAC accident insurance policy with a base disability sum of 100,000 euros and a progression of 350 percent. After an accident, the loss of a thumb results in a degree of disability of twenty percent according to the impairment table. Without progression, the benefit would be 20,000 euros (twenty percent of 100,000 euros). With a 350 percent progression, the benefit would be calculated according to the respective scale, which often foresees no or only a slight increase at low degrees of disability. If the degree of disability increases to fifty percent, for example, the benefit could already amount to one hundred percent of the base sum (100,000 euros) at 350 percent progression. The exact scaling is crucial and can be found in the respective insurance contract. This illustrates how important an understanding of the comparability of accident insurance is.
Scheduled benefits in detail: Assessment of functional impairments
The impairment scale is a table in the insurance contract that outlines the degree of disability in the event of loss or complete functional impairment of limbs or sensory organs. Each insurer defines its own scale, although recommendations from the German Insurance Association (GDV) exist. For instance, the loss of an arm is often rated at seventy percent, a thumb at twenty percent, and an index finger at ten percent. Higher values in the insurer's impairment scale result in higher compensation in case of an incident. In cases of partial loss or partial functional impairment, the corresponding proportion of the scale's value is applied; if an arm is impaired by one-tenth of its function, this would result in a disability rate of seven percent when the scale value for the entire arm is seventy percent. If multiple limbs are affected, the disability grades are summed, but only up to a maximum of one hundred percent. It is important to understand whether accident insurance is mandatory or a voluntary but sensible protection offers.
Loss of an arm: often seventy percent disability.
Loss of a hand: frequently fifty-five percent disability.
Loss of a thumb: typically twenty percent disability.
Loss of an eye: usually fifty percent disability.
Loss of hearing in one ear: often thirty percent disability.
These values can vary depending on the insurer and the policy, so a thorough look at the terms of the ADAC accident insurance is essential.
Optimal coverage: Choosing the right insurance sum and progression
Choosing the right sum insured is crucial for adequate coverage provided by the ADAC accident insurance. Experts recommend a disability sum that is at least two to three times the gross annual salary; Stiftung Warentest advises at least 100,000 euros. A higher basic sum always positively impacts the disability benefits, even at lower levels of disability. Progression significantly increases the benefits for severe disabilities. A progression of at least 350 percent is often considered sensible. Our expert tip: A higher basic sum is often more important than an extremely high progression, as progression typically only takes effect from a disability degree of usually twenty-five percent. Carefully analyze your individual needs to avoid underinsurance or overinsurance. An accident insurance for adults should take these factors into account. Also think about the tax deductibility.
Check additional services and tariff details of the ADAC accident insurance
In addition to the disability benefit, many ADAC accident insurance plans offer other sensible supplementary components. These may include daily hospital allowance, recovery benefit, death benefits, or rooming-in costs for children. Some policies also cover cosmetic surgery or rescue costs. The ADAC Unfallversicherung Exklusiv, for example, was rated “good” (1.8) by Stiftung Warentest in October 2018. Our expert tip: Don’t just compare the price, pay particular attention to the detailed regulations in the policy conditions, such as the definition of an accident, exclusions (e.g., alcohol clause), and the level of the dismemberment schedule. Make sure to check whether accidents caused by self-movement or increased physical exertion are covered. A detailed review of ADAC accident insurance is advisable here.
Your next step to tailored protection
A careful review of your existing coverage and an adjustment to your current life situation are essential. The ADAC accident insurance can be an important component of your provision. Use the insights gained here to optimise your protection. Remember that even small adjustments to the policy, such as choosing a higher basic sum, can make a significant difference in the event of an emergency. Individual consultation can help you find the configuration that suits you best. The complexity of the conditions often requires more than just a superficial glance. Take the time to ensure that you and your family are as well protected as possible. Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive concrete optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
The Federal Statistical Office provides comprehensive information on traffic accidents in Germany.
A press release from the Federal Statistical Office delivers the latest data on traffic accidents.
The interactive accident atlas of the Statistics Portal visualizes geographical data on accidents.
Statista provides statistics on road traffic fatalities in Germany.
The German Road Safety Council (DVR) offers a service for accident statistics.
FAQ
Welche Unfälle sind durch die ADAC Unfallversicherung abgedeckt?
Die ADAC Unfallversicherung deckt in der Regel Unfälle weltweit und rund um die Uhr ab, also sowohl im Berufsleben als auch in der Freizeit und im Haushalt, anders als die gesetzliche Unfallversicherung.
Was ist der Unterschied zwischen der gesetzlichen und der privaten Unfallversicherung wie der des ADAC?
Die gesetzliche Unfallversicherung leistet primär bei Arbeits-, Schul- und Wegeunfällen sowie Berufskrankheiten. Die private ADAC Unfallversicherung schließt die Lücke bei Freizeit- und Haushaltsunfällen und bietet oft individuellere Leistungspakete.
Wie wird die Invalidität nach einem Unfall festgestellt?
Die Invalidität wird in der Regel durch einen Arzt festgestellt und anhand der Gliedertaxe des Versicherungsvertrages in einen Invaliditätsgrad umgerechnet. Dieser Grad bestimmt zusammen mit der Versicherungssumme und Progression die Höhe der Leistung.
Lohnt sich eine Unfallversicherung für Kinder?
Ja, eine Unfallversicherung für Kinder ist sinnvoll, da die gesetzliche Unfallversicherung nur im Kindergarten, in der Schule und auf den direkten Wegen dorthin greift. Die meisten Unfälle von Kindern passieren jedoch in der Freizeit.
Was passiert, wenn ich bereits vor dem Unfall gesundheitliche Einschränkungen hatte?
Wenn Vorerkrankungen oder Gebrechen am Unfall oder dessen Folgen mitgewirkt haben, kann der Versicherer die Leistung kürzen. Gute Tarife verzichten auf eine Kürzung bis zu einem bestimmten Mitwirkungsanteil (z.B. unter fünfundsiebzig Prozent).
Wie schnell zahlt die ADAC Unfallversicherung im Leistungsfall?
Sobald der Leistungsanspruch und dessen Umfang festgestellt wurden und alle Nachweise vorliegen, zahlt die ADAC Versicherung den Betrag in der Regel innerhalb von zwei Wochen aus.
