Glasses insurance: your clear advantage for optimal vision and cost protection
27.05.25
10
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
A new pair of glasses can quickly cost several hundred euros, especially with varifocal lenses or designer frames. Glasses insurance promises financial relief in the event of damage, theft or changes in vision. But when is it really a worthwhile investment, and which benefits are crucial?
The topic in brief and concise terms
A glasses insurance policy covers the cost of new visual aids, repairs and, in some cases, theft, whereas the GKV only provides minimal subsidies.
Whether it is worthwhile depends on individual factors, such as how often you need glasses, the value of the glasses and your personal need for security; contributions often start at under ten euros per month.
When taking out cover, pay attention to the scope of benefits, waiting periods, excesses and cancellation periods; premiums are usually not tax-deductible.
Understanding the scope of cover: What does glasses insurance cover?
A vision aid insurance policy offers financial support for vision aids, often up to €300 every two years. The exact benefits vary considerably between providers and plans. Typically, contributions towards new glasses or contact lenses are included when prescription strength changes, for example by at least 0.5 dioptres. Many policies also cover repairs in the event of damage or replacement in the event of theft. Some plans even reimburse the cost of prescription sunglasses or offer contributions towards laser eye surgery, often up to €1,000. It is important to check the terms carefully, as not every loss, such as misplacing them, is always covered.
Reimbursement is usually limited to a maximum amount, which can be between €100 and €400. Some insurers also provide cover in the event of loss or theft, although an excess, for example 50 per cent, often applies. Pay close attention to the exact scope of benefits to ensure your individual needs are covered. The vision aid insurance can provide valuable cover. The exact terms and exclusions are crucial when choosing the right cover.
Weighing up costs and benefits: When is glasses insurance really worthwhile?
Monthly premiums for glasses insurance often start at less than ten euros. Whether such insurance is worthwhile depends on several factors. People who regularly need a new pair of glasses, for example every two years, or who value expensive models and high-quality lenses, often benefit. Particularly with varifocal lenses, which can cost over 1,000 euros, insurance can quickly pay for itself. For children and teenagers, whose vision often changes, glasses insurance can also be worthwhile despite statutory health insurance (GKV) benefits for basic versions if higher-quality options are desired.
For athletes whose glasses are exposed to a higher risk of damage, a policy can also be advantageous. Calculate your average spending on visual aids over a period of two to three years and compare this with the total cost of the insurance. A glasses insurance policy is particularly useful when the expected benefits exceed the premiums or when financial predictability is a priority. Bear in mind that statutory health insurance (GKV) only provides a subsidy for adults in cases of very severe visual impairment, e.g. from six dioptres onwards.
Statutory health insurance: Limited subsidies for visual aids
Statutory health insurance (GKV) only covers the cost of glasses for adults in narrowly defined exceptional cases. As a rule, entitlement to a subsidy only applies from short-sightedness or long-sightedness of more than six dioptres, or astigmatism of more than four dioptres. The GKV can also provide support if visual acuity is below 30 per cent despite correction. For children and young people under 18, the cost of basic spectacle lenses is usually covered.
The GKV pays fixed amounts that often cover only a fraction of the actual cost of modern lenses and frames. For special finishes such as anti-reflective coatings or hardening, insured persons usually have to pay themselves. The benefits of the GKV for glasses are therefore severely limited, which increases the appeal of private glasses insurance for many people. Glasses insurance closes this gap and enables better care. This illustrates the need for additional protection through private supplementary health insurance.
Check contract details: what to look for when taking out glasses insurance
Before taking out spectacle insurance, a close look at the policy terms is essential. Pay attention to the level of benefits, which often amount to between 150 and 300 euros every two years. Clarify whether there is a waiting period; many plans only pay after three months, but some do so immediately. It is also important to consider how excesses are handled, especially in the event of theft or loss. Check whether prescription sunglasses or second pairs are also covered.
You should pay particular attention to the following points:
Benefit amount for new visual aids (e.g. every two years).
Cover for damage and theft (including excess).
Rules in the event of a change in prescription strength (e.g. at least 0.5 dpt).
Inclusion of contact lenses and the scope of cover.
Any waiting periods before first claiming.
Notice periods and contract terms.
Our expert tip: Compare not only the price, but above all the price-performance ratio and the flexibility of the plan. A careful review protects against surprises when making a claim. Health and long-term care insurance often offer combined options.
Tax aspects and legal framework of spectacle insurance
Contributions for private eyeglass insurance are generally not tax-deductible as special expenses or extraordinary expenses. They count as part of the costs of private living. An exception may apply if the glasses and therefore the insurance are used exclusively for occupational purposes, for example as special protective eyewear. The costs of the glasses themselves may, under certain circumstances, be claimed as extraordinary expenses if there is a medical prescription and the reasonable threshold for burden is exceeded. In this regard, it is always advisable to consult a tax adviser.
From a legal perspective, it should be noted that advertising claims such as a “free eyeglass insurance” when purchasing a pair of glasses can be problematic under competition law. Courts have ruled that such offers may constitute an inadmissible benefit if they exert an inappropriate influence on the consumer. So make sure you find out exactly how reputable the provider is and what the actual contractual terms are before taking out eyeglass insurance. A good understanding of your insurance and taxes is an advantage here. This also applies in the context of other supplementary insurance policies, such as the deductibility of dental supplementary insurance.
Find the right cover: How to choose the right glasses insurance
Choosing the right glasses insurance requires an individual needs analysis. Consider how often you need a new pair of glasses and which risks (breakage, theft, change in prescription) are relevant to you. Compare offers from different insurers, paying attention not only to the monthly premium of, for example, nine euros, but also to the maximum benefit limits, which are often set at 300 euros. Take account of waiting periods, which can be up to three months, and any excesses.
Here are some steps to help you choose:
Determine your personal needs (how often you replace your glasses, the value of your glasses, your willingness to take risks).
Compare at least three different offers and their detailed descriptions of benefits.
Pay attention to exclusions in the small print (e.g. loss through mislaying).
Check whether additional benefits such as preventive check-ups or contributions towards laser eye surgery are of value to you.
Read independent test reports and customer reviews to get an impression of the service quality.
Our expert tip: A good glasses insurance policy offers a balanced relationship between premium, scope of cover and flexibility. Take your time with the decision so you can benefit from your glasses insurance in the long term. Also think about related topics such as the tax deductibility of hearing aid insurance if relevant.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific recommendations for optimisation.
More useful links
The Federal Statistical Office provides statistical data on consumer behaviour or demographics in Germany that could be relevant to the eyewear market.
Statista provides data on the cost structure in the optical industry in Germany, which is useful for understanding eyewear prices.
The Federal Statistical Office provides the weighting scheme for the consumer price index in Germany, which can offer insights into the impact of glasses and related products on inflation.
SPECTARIS offers an industry report on consumer optics, which is likely to contain market data, trends and forecasts for the eyewear sector in Germany.
The Consumer Advice Centre explains under what circumstances the health insurance fund covers the cost of glasses in Germany, and emphasises that this is usually only in exceptional cases.
Statista presents statistics on the number of people with visual impairments in Germany, categorised by the severity of their impairment, relevant for understanding demand for visual aids.
Augeninfo.de offers general information on vision and eye health, possibly including details on different types of vision correction and eye diseases.
The Federal Ministry of Health is the website of the German Federal Ministry of Health, which may contain information on health policy and regulations in the field of ophthalmology.
FAQ
What benefits are typically included in glasses insurance?
Typical benefits include subsidies for new glasses or contact lenses (often every two years up to an amount such as 300 euros), coverage in the event of damage (repair or replacement) and often also in the event of theft. Some plans also include prescription sunglasses or contributions towards laser eye surgery.
Is glasses insurance worth it for every glasses wearer?
Not necessarily. It is particularly worthwhile for people who wear expensive glasses (e.g. varifocals), need to change their glasses more often (e.g. due to a change in prescription or fashion awareness), or are exposed to an increased risk of damage or loss (e.g. athletes).
What does statutory health insurance pay for glasses?
Statutory health insurance only pays for adults in exceptional cases, e.g. in the case of severe visual impairment (more than six dioptres or astigmatism of over four dioptres). For children under 18, the costs for simple spectacle lenses are usually covered. The subsidies are fixed amounts and often cover only a small part of the costs.
Is there a waiting period for glasses insurance?
Yes, many spectacle insurance policies have a waiting period, often three months, before benefits can be claimed. However, there are also policies with no waiting period or with shorter waiting periods for certain benefits.
Are contact lenses also covered under the glasses insurance?
Yes, many glasses insurance policies also include cover for contact lenses, often to the same extent as for glasses. However, the exact terms and reimbursement amounts should be checked in the respective tariff.
What should I bear in mind when comparing glasses insurance?
Compare the level of benefits, the intervals at which benefits can be claimed (usually every two years), cover for breakage, theft and loss, the amount of any excesses, waiting periods and whether prescription contact lenses or prescription sunglasses are also covered.
