Occupational disability insurance after psychotherapy: Your path to financial security despite pre-existing conditions
18 Jun 2025
4
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
A past psychotherapy often complicates the conclusion of a disability insurance policy, but it is not an insurmountable obstacle. With the right strategy and honest information, you can secure your financial future. Find out what steps are necessary and how you can significantly improve your chances.
The topic in brief and concise terms
An occupational disability insurance after psychotherapy is possible despite challenges; honesty and an anonymous preliminary risk inquiry are crucial for success.
The time since the end of therapy (often a waiting period of two to five years) and the reason for the treatment significantly affect the acceptance chances and conditions.
Professional advice helps to avoid pitfalls and find meaningful protection even with risk surcharges or benefit exclusions.
Immediate Overview: Occupational Disability Insurance after Psychological Treatment
Taking out disability insurance after therapy is complex, but not impossible. Insurers scrutinise applications thoroughly because mental illnesses account for over 30 percent of disability cases. The timing, duration, and reason for the therapy, as well as your current state of health, are crucial. A waiting period of at least two to five years after the end of therapy can improve your chances.
Answering health questions honestly is essential; any misinformation may jeopardise your insurance cover. Disability insurance is fundamental because the state disability pension is often not enough – it averages only 978 euros per month. This section summarises the key facts before we delve deeper into the subject.
Practical Guide: Mastering the Application Process
The path to disability insurance after psychotherapy requires good preparation. Insurers typically ask about treatments from the past five to ten years. A completed therapy that took place more than three years ago is often viewed more positively. Especially if it was a one-off, clearly defined reason for treatment, such as coping with grief, the chances of normal terms are better.
Gather all relevant documents: medical reports, discharge reports from the therapy, and your own detailed statement. A clear personal statement can clear up misunderstandings and help the risk assessor better understand your situation. Describe the reason for the therapy, its course, and your current stable condition. What makes disability insurance is securing your ability to work. The following points will help you with the application process:
Document the exact period and reason for your psychotherapy.
Submit a final report from the therapist, if available.
Formulate a personal statement regarding your mental health and stability.
Check if the reason for your therapy (e.g. adjustment disorder due to a specific event) is assessed less critically.
Answer all health questions absolutely truthfully and without gaps.
Disclosing all relevant information is crucial to not endanger insurance coverage. Next, we look at the important role of anonymised risk inquiries.
Risk Minimisation: The Power of Anonymous Pre-requests
Applying directly to an insurer carries risks if psychotherapy is part of your history. A rejection or an application with conditions could be recorded in the insurance industry's hint and information system (HIS). This could complicate future applications with other companies, as approximately 8 out of 10 people have to provide information on health matters that need clarification.
The solution is an anonymised preliminary risk inquiry conducted by a specialised advisor. Your health data is forwarded to several insurers without mentioning your name. This way, you receive an assessment of your acceptance chances and possible terms - without risking negative entries. Often, this is the only way to have a chance despite disability insurance for depression. This approach has several advantages:
You receive an overview of the acceptance willingness of different insurers.
You avoid a negative record in the HIS system in the event of a potential rejection.
You can clarify terms such as risk surcharges or benefit exclusions in advance.
An experienced advisor can optimally prepare your situation and select the right insurers.
This process typically costs you nothing extra and often saves time and stress.
With the results of the anonymous preliminary inquiry, you can then specifically apply to the suitable provider. Now, let's delve into the details of the health check and possible contract terms.
Expert knowledge: Understanding health assessments and contract details
The health examination is the core of any application for disability insurance following psychotherapy. Insurers ask detailed questions about your mental health, often over a period of five to ten years. Typical questions concern diagnoses, treatment periods, medication, and hospital stays. Our expert tip: Answer every question precisely and completely. Withholding information can lead to the contract being contested and claims being denied (§ 19 VVG Pre-contractual duty of disclosure).
Possible outcomes of the risk assessment are: acceptance at standard terms (rare for recently completed therapy), acceptance with a risk surcharge (higher premium), acceptance with exclusions (mental disorders are excluded from protection), or rejection. An exclusion is not ideal, but often better than no cover, as still over 65 percent of disability cases have other causes. A disability insurance pays under certain conditions, which need to be carefully examined. The exact wording in the contract, especially concerning exclusions, is crucial. Below, we address special situations and waiting times.
Strategic recommendations for your BU degree completion
To maximise your chances of obtaining disability insurance following psychotherapy, a strategic approach is crucial. Start with honest self-reflection and gather all medical records completely. Make sure to take advantage of the option for an anonymous risk inquiry through a specialised advisor like nextsure. This protects you from negative entries and gives you a realistic overview of your options. Compare not just prices but especially the terms, particularly with offers that include exclusions or surcharges.
Here are specific steps for you:
If possible, wait for the period required by the insurer after the end of therapy (often two to five years).
Prepare all health information carefully and comprehensively.
Have several anonymous risk inquiries made to compare offers.
Examine offers with benefit exclusions closely – sometimes this is the only possible protection.
Consider tariffs with simplified health questions if you meet the criteria.
Don't be discouraged; even if the process takes longer, securing coverage is often achievable.
Finding a good private health insurance despite psychotherapy is similarly challenging and underscores the importance of professional advice. With patience and the right support, you can secure your financial future.
Your next step towards security with nextsure
Taking out income protection insurance after psychotherapy is an important step towards financial security. It requires care, honesty, and often the support of experts. At nextsure, we understand the complexity of this situation and support you as a digital insurance portal with expert advice. We help you analyse your individual situation and find the best possible solution. Our mission is to offer you tailored and easy-to-understand insurance solutions.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked for free and receive specific optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
Deutsche Rentenversicherung offers a press release on mental illnesses and reduced earning capacity.
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) provides a press release with relevant statistical data on the topic.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Nervenheilkunde (DGPPN) offers a factsheet with key figures on mental health.
DAK-Gesundheit publishes a press release on mental illnesses in the workplace 2024, focusing on depression as a cause of sick leave.
Barmer offers the Health Report 2023, which contains data on various health topics.
Verbraucherzentrale provides information on preliminary risk inquiries when searching for insurance with pre-existing conditions.
Deutsche PsychotherapeutenVereinigung (DPtV) provides a report on psychotherapy from the year 2021.
Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften (AWMF) offers a guideline that likely relates to a specific medical condition or treatment.
FAQ
Muss ich jede Art von psychologischer Beratung bei der BU-Antragstellung angeben?
Ja, in der Regel müssen alle ärztlichen und therapeutischen Behandlungen, Beratungen und Untersuchungen der Psyche innerhalb des abgefragten Zeitraums (meist fünf bis zehn Jahre) angegeben werden. Dazu zählen auch abgeschlossene Psychotherapien oder psychologische Beratungsgespräche.
Erhöht eine Psychotherapie immer den Beitrag zur Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung?
Nicht zwangsläufig, aber es ist möglich. Versicherer können einen Risikozuschlag erheben, wenn sie das Risiko einer zukünftigen Berufsunfähigkeit aufgrund der psychischen Vorgeschichte als erhöht einschätzen. Eine andere Möglichkeit ist ein Leistungsausschluss.
Was ist eine anonyme Risikovoranfrage und warum ist sie so wichtig?
Bei einer anonymen Risikovoranfrage werden Ihre Gesundheitsdaten ohne persönliche Identifikationsmerkmale an Versicherer gesendet, um die Annahmebereitschaft und Konditionen zu prüfen. Dies verhindert, dass eine eventuelle Ablehnung oder Erschwernis in der zentralen HIS-Datei der Versicherer gespeichert wird, was spätere Anträge erschweren könnte.
Welche Rolle spielt der Grund der Psychotherapie für die Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung?
Der Grund ist sehr wichtig. Eine einmalige, reaktive Therapie (z.B. nach einem Trauerfall oder einer spezifischen Lebenskrise) wird oft weniger kritisch bewertet als eine Behandlung wegen chronischer oder schwerwiegender psychischer Erkrankungen wie wiederkehrenden Depressionen oder Psychosen.
Gibt es spezielle Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherungen für Menschen nach Psychotherapie?
Es gibt keine speziellen Produkte nur für diese Zielgruppe. Allerdings bieten manche Versicherer im Rahmen von Aktionen Tarife mit vereinfachten Gesundheitsfragen an, die für Personen nach einer Psychotherapie vorteilhaft sein können, wenn die Therapie länger zurückliegt und nicht mehr in den verkürzten Abfragezeitraum fällt.
Zahlt die Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung, wenn ich nach Vertragsabschluss wegen einer psychischen Erkrankung berufsunfähig werde?
Ja, wenn die psychische Erkrankung bei Antragstellung nicht bestand, nicht verschwiegen wurde und kein entsprechender Leistungsausschluss im Vertrag vereinbart ist, leistet die BU-Versicherung im Regelfall, sofern der Grad der Berufsunfähigkeit (meist fünfzig Prozent) erreicht ist.
