Comparing Disability Insurance: How to Optimally Secure Your Ability to Work
24 Jun 2025
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
One in four Germans becomes unable to work at some point in their lives. Therefore, comparing disability insurance is not a luxury, but a necessity. Discover how to find the right protection for your individual situation.
The topic in brief and concise terms
One in four workers will become unable to work; therefore, a private disability insurance is essential.
The costs depend on your profession, age, health, and the desired pension amount (at least 70 percent of your net income).
Pay attention to important clauses such as the waiver of abstract referral and guarantee of subsequent insurance.
Risk of Occupational Disability: Know and Understand the Facts
About 25 percent of all employed individuals exit the workforce prematurely. The reasons are varied and affect every profession.
Mental illnesses are the main trigger, accounting for over 30 percent. Additionally, musculoskeletal disorders (about 20 percent) or cancer (about 17 percent) lead to occupational disability.
The state disability pension alone often provides insufficient protection. It generally only applies when daily working ability is less than three hours.
Therefore, a private occupational disability insurance is advisable and often crucial. It closes the significant gap in coverage of thousands of euros.
Without this security, financial bottlenecks can quickly threaten your standard of living. Early occupational disability comparison secures your future.
Cost factors of disability insurance: Accurately assessing contributions
The cost of income protection insurance varies significantly. Your profession plays a major role. Those with physically demanding jobs often pay more than office workers.
The age at which you start the policy is crucial. Younger policyholders benefit from cheaper premiums, sometimes starting at under 30 euros per month for students.
Your health status will be examined in detail. Pre-existing conditions can lead to risk surcharges or exclusions.
The desired pension amount, such as 1,500 euros or 2,500 euros, directly affects the premium. The term of the policy up to the age of 67 is also a factor.
A disability insurance calculator can provide an initial guide. The earlier and healthier you sign up, the lower your premiums typically are.
Practical examples of premium costs
A 32-year-old chemist with a pension of 1,500 euros until the age of 67 pays about 50 euros net monthly.
A 28-year-old electrical engineer with a pension of 2,000 euros until the age of 65 can expect to pay around 60 euros net.
These examples show a range. Your personal premium will be calculated individually and depends on many details. A careful analysis is essential.
Defining the scope of services: What makes a good disability insurance
A good occupational disability insurance policy provides benefits when you can no longer perform at least 50 per cent of your last job. This should apply for a forecast period of six months.
Look for the waiver of abstract reference. The insurer must not refer you to a theoretical alternative occupation.
The claim ratio of a provider is an indicator of its willingness to compromise. Ratios around 80 per cent are considered good.
A very high ratio, for example over 95 per cent, could suggest less stringent checks or very high premiums. A clear definition of occupational disability is crucial.
Comparison criteria for optimal protection
When comparing occupational disability insurance, you should examine several points. This ensures your protection.
The insured pension should be at least 70 to 80 per cent of your net income.
The term of the contract should ideally last until the statutory retirement age, currently 67 years.
A waiver of abstract reference is a must for fair protection.
The forecast period for determining disability should not exceed six months.
Additional insurance guarantees allow for pension adjustments without a medical examination, such as a ten per cent salary increase.
A contribution dynamic annually increases both the premium and the pension to offset inflation.
Check the worldwide coverage, which is important for stays abroad or longer trips.
Pay attention to the stability and financial strength of the insurer; this provides security for decades-long contracts.
These criteria help you identify a powerful tariff. An individual occupational disability comparison is very useful here.
Contract Clauses in Detail: Avoid Pitfalls
The Insurance Contract Act (VVG) provides the legal foundation. Many clauses make the difference.
Waiving the right to abstract reference is one of the most important clauses. Without it, the insurer can refer you to another, theoretical profession.
The insurance guarantee allows you to increase your pension without a new health examination. This is possible, for instance, with a salary increase of over ten percent.
A contribution dynamic ensures an annual pension increase of three to five percent. This offsets inflation.
You can usually object to this dynamic several times. A contribution dynamic often makes sense. Read the small print or seek advice.
Other important clauses for your protection
Pay attention to a customer-friendly doctor's order clause. The insurer should not prescribe treatments with significant pain or risks.
Deferral and contribution exemption options in case of payment difficulties are relevant. A disability clause (AU clause) provides benefits after just six months of sick leave, without a determined BU.
Our expert tip: Clarify in advance which clauses are particularly important for your life situation. This is a core aspect of the occupation disability comparison.
Your path to the right protection
Taking out occupational disability insurance is an important decision with long-term consequences. A thorough occupational disability comparison is essential.
Take your time to carefully analyse your needs. Examine offers in detail for price and scope of benefits.
Independent advice will help you find the optimal solution. This way, you can protect your financial existence 100 percent. Request your individual risk analysis now.
More useful links
Statista offers a survey on the distribution of causes of occupational disability in Germany.
The German Pension Insurance explains the definition of occupational disability.
The GDV provides seven facts about occupational disability insurance.
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive article on occupational disability insurance.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) defines occupational disability in its pension lexicon.
Statista shows the probability of occupational disability until the retirement age of 65 years.
The GDV informs about the most common causes for occupational and earning disabilities.
The German Pension Insurance offers detailed information about the disability pension.
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) highlights the costs of work incapacity.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) shows current data on sickness rates in Germany.
FAQ
Wie finde ich den richtigen Tarif im Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung Vergleich?
Definieren Sie zuerst Ihre benötigte Rentenhöhe und Laufzeit. Vergleichen Sie dann Angebote anhand wichtiger Kriterien wie Verzicht auf abstrakte Verweisung, Nachversicherungsgarantien und Regelungen zum Prognosezeitraum. Nutzen Sie unabhängige Tests und ziehen Sie eine Fachberatung hinzu.
Welche Rolle spielt mein Gesundheitszustand beim Abschluss?
Ihr Gesundheitszustand ist ein entscheidender Faktor. Vorerkrankungen können zu höheren Beiträgen, Leistungsausschlüssen oder sogar zur Ablehnung des Antrags führen. Eine ehrliche und vollständige Beantwortung der Gesundheitsfragen ist daher unerlässlich.
Was bedeutet abstrakte Verweisung?
Abstrakte Verweisung bedeutet, dass der Versicherer Sie im Leistungsfall auf einen anderen Beruf verweisen könnte, den Sie trotz Ihrer gesundheitlichen Einschränkungen theoretisch noch ausüben könnten – unabhängig davon, ob Sie eine solche Stelle finden. Gute Tarife verzichten auf diese Klausel.
Wie hoch sollte die Berufsunfähigkeitsrente sein?
Die Rente sollte Ihre monatlichen Fixkosten und Lebenshaltungskosten decken. Experten empfehlen oft 70 bis 80 Prozent Ihres aktuellen Nettoeinkommens. Bedenken Sie, dass von der BU-Rente auch Beiträge zur Krankenversicherung und ggf. für die Altersvorsorge gezahlt werden müssen.
Bis zu welchem Alter sollte eine Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung laufen?
Idealerweise sollte die Versicherung bis zum geplanten Renteneintrittsalter laufen, also in der Regel bis zum 67. Lebensjahr. Eine kürzere Laufzeit kann zu einer Versorgungslücke im Alter führen.
Kann ich meine Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung später noch anpassen?
Ja, viele Verträge enthalten Nachversicherungsgarantien. Diese erlauben es Ihnen, bei bestimmten Ereignissen (z.B. Heirat, Geburt eines Kindes, Gehaltserhöhung) die versicherte Rente ohne erneute Gesundheitsprüfung zu erhöhen.
