Health & Care
Adult Accident Insurance
civil servant accident insurance
Accident insurance for civil servants: Your comprehensive protection on duty and during leisure time
An accident can change your life, especially for civil servants with specific benefit arrangements. Learn how accident welfare works and why a private accident insurance is an essential addition for civil servants to close care gaps and maintain their usual standard of living even after an accident.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Civil servants receive benefits from accident care in the event of service-related accidents, which may include medical treatment, accident compensation, and accident pension.
There is no protection from accident insurance for accidents during leisure time; therefore, a private accident insurance is essential for civil servants.
The legal basis for accident insurance is the Civil Servants' Pensions Act (BeamtVG), specifically paragraphs 30 and following.
Quick Overview: The Key Facts on Accident Insurance for Civil Servants
Officials are not insured under the statutory accident insurance but receive accident welfare benefits from their employer in case of service-related accidents. This welfare includes medical treatment, accident compensation, and, if applicable, a disability pension. The protection provided by accident welfare also covers commuting accidents, meaning accidents occurring on the direct route to or from the workplace. However, there is no entitlement to accident welfare benefits for accidents during leisure time; private insurance coverage is necessary in such cases. A report of the service-related accident must generally be made within two years.
Accident Insurance: What does the employer provide in the case of occupational accidents?
Accident insurance is the special coverage for civil servants in the event of accidents that occur during or as a result of their service. This is primarily regulated in the Civil Servants Pension Act (BeamtVG). The core benefits include covering the costs of medical treatment to eliminate or alleviate the health consequences of the accident. Additionally, an accident compensation may be paid if the ability to work is reduced for more than six months. If the service accident leads to permanent incapacity for service, civil servants are entitled to an accident pension. The amount is determined, among other factors, by the pensionable service time and the service income, but is at least two-thirds and at most 75 percent of the pensionable service income. Property damage related to the service accident can also be reimbursed. The benefits from accident insurance are therefore an important pillar of civil servant pensions. The exact benefits of accident care typically include:
Reimbursement of property damage and special expenses.
Costs for the treatment process, i.e., medical treatments.
Payment of accident compensation in case of reduced ability to work.
Granting of an accident pension in case of service incapacity or a maintenance contribution.
Provision for surviving dependents (accident survivor's pension).
Possibly a one-time accident compensation.
It is important to report the service accident to the superior in a timely manner, usually within two years. These benefits protect civil servants against health damages caused by accidents directly related to their official duties.
Practical Examples: When an Official Accident Occurs and When It Does Not
A service accident is defined as an event caused by external influence, sudden, and determinable in location and time, that causes bodily injury and occurs in the performance or as a result of service. This includes accidents at the workplace, during field operations, on business trips, and during service sports. An example: A teacher falls in the schoolyard during break supervision and breaks her arm; this is clearly a service accident. Even psychological conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder following a stressful operation, can be recognised as a service accident. The crucial factor is the direct professional connection of the activity at the time of the accident. The way to the canteen within the service building is insured, but the lunch break itself often is not. The insurance coverage with accident insurances is clearly defined here. Not every accident in the professional environment is automatically a service accident. A civil servant who goes shopping privately during his lunch break and has an accident does not suffer a service accident. Similarly, purely private activities at the workplace, such as repairing one's own bicycle in the authority’s bicycle cellar, are not covered by accident compensation. The distinction can be complex in individual cases and is examined by the responsible service accident compensation office.
The Coverage Gap: Why a Private Accident Insurance is Essential for Civil Servants
Although accident insurance provides good protection for accidents occurring during work, it does not cover accidents in private settings. Statistically, most accidents happen during leisure time – approximately 70 percent of all accidents are leisure-related accidents. This leads to a substantial gap in coverage. Costs for long-term accident-related impairments, necessary alterations in the home, or special rehabilitation measures that exceed the health insurance or aid services must then be borne privately. A private accident insurance can be tax-deductible and offers financial protection here. It provides coverage regardless of whether the accident occurs during work or leisure, and depending on the contract, it pays out a lump sum, an accident pension, or covers costs for rescue operations and cosmetic surgery. This additional protection is especially important for officials with risky hobbies or families. Without private provision, the financial consequences of a leisure accident can be significant. The question of whether accident insurance is mandatory does not arise in the private domain, but financial security is strongly recommended.
Recommendations for Action: How Officials Can Optimise Their Accident Protection
To ensure comprehensive accident protection, civil servants should adopt a dual strategy. First: Know your entitlements regarding accident care. Consult your employer about the exact benefits and procedures in the event of an occupational accident. Second: Bridge the gap in the private sector with a robust private accident insurance policy. Consider the following points when selecting a private policy:
Sufficiently high disability sum: This should be able to cover financial shortages in the event of an emergency, such as loss of earnings or renovation measures. A sum of at least €100,000 for total disability is often recommended.
Good dismemberment scale: The dismemberment scale determines the degree of disability in the event of loss or impairment of certain body parts. Compare the conditions of different providers here.
Progression: A high progression (e.g., 225 percent, 350 percent or 500 percent) ensures that benefits increase disproportionately for severe disability degrees.
Inclusion of important additional benefits: These can include retrieval costs, costs for cosmetic surgery, hospital daily allowance, or an accident pension.
Waiver of abstract referral (in combination with DI): This is relevant in the context of an disability insurance for civil servants.
Worldwide protection around the clock: The insurance coverage should be valid globally and 24 hours a day.
Our expert tip: Have your individual situation analysed by an independent insurance expert. They can assist you in finding the appropriate tariff with the best price-performance ratio and help avoid pitfalls in the fine print. Regularly reviewing and adjusting insurance coverage, for example every five years or during major life changes, is also advisable.
Risk Analysis and Consulting: Your Path to Optimal Protection
A careful analysis of your own risks is the first step towards tailored insurance coverage. Consider your professional activity, your leisure activities, and your family situation. How much financial support would you need in the event of an accident-related disability? Which ongoing costs would need to be covered? Professional advice can help you answer these questions and define suitable insurance sums and benefit packages. nextsure offers you comprehensive advice on niche insurances and bespoke protection solutions as a digital insurance portal. We help you identify your coverage gaps and find customised insurance solutions. Use our expertise for your financial security. Also think about related topics such as the professional liability insurance, which is also an important component for civil servants. The right car insurance with civil servant tariffs can also bring savings.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed for free and receive concrete optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
The Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of the term 'Dienstunfall' and its significance for civil servants.
FAQ
Are civil servants automatically covered by statutory accident insurance?
No, civil servants are not insured under the statutory accident insurance (according to SGB VII). They are subject to the provisions of their employer's accident care in accordance with the Civil Servants' Pension Act.
What is the difference between an occupational accident and a leisure accident for civil servants?
An occupational accident occurs in the course or as a result of duty, including commuting accidents. A leisure accident happens outside of official duties and is not covered by accident care.
What is the deadline for reporting an occupational accident?
An occupational accident should be reported immediately. The statutory limitation period for reporting is generally two years after the occurrence of the accident (§ 45 BeamtVG).
Does accident care also cover psychological illnesses?
Yes, psychological illnesses, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or burnout, can be recognised as an occupational accident if they are demonstrably caused by official duties (§ 31 Abs. 3 BeamtVG).
Does accident care also cover costs for material damage?
Yes, within the framework of accident care, material damage associated with an occupational accident (e.g. a damaged pair of glasses) can be reimbursed (§ 32 BeamtVG).
Where can I find the exact regulations on accident care for federal civil servants?
The detailed regulations on accident care for federal civil servants are stipulated in the Civil Servants' Pension Act (BeamtVG), particularly in §§ 30 to 46.
