Glasses insurance: Your clear advantage for optimal vision and cost protection
27 May 2025
12
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A new pair of glasses can quickly cost several hundred euros, especially with progressive lenses or designer frames. A glasses insurance promises financial relief in case of breakage, theft, or changes in vision values. But when is it really a sensible investment and which benefits are crucial?
The topic in brief and concise terms
Glasses insurance covers costs for new visual aids, repairs, and sometimes even theft, whereas the statutory health insurance (GKV) only provides minimal subsidies.
The meaningfulness depends on individual factors such as the frequency of needing glasses, the value of the glasses, and personal safety needs; contributions often start at less than ten euros per month.
When concluding, pay attention to coverage, waiting periods, deductibles, and notice periods; contributions are usually not tax-deductible.
Understanding the scope of coverage: What does glasses insurance cover?
A spectacles insurance policy provides financial support for visual aids, often up to 300 euros every two years. The exact coverage varies significantly between providers and plans. Typically, subsidies for new glasses or contact lenses are included when there is a change in visual acuity, for example, by at least 0.5 dioptres. Many policies also cover repairs for damage or replacement in case of theft. Some plans even reimburse costs for prescription sunglasses or offer subsidies for laser eye surgery, often up to 1,000 euros. It is important to carefully check the conditions, as not every loss, such as leaving them behind, is always covered.
The cost coverage usually occurs up to a maximum amount, which can range from 100 to 400 euros. Some insurers also provide coverage in case of loss or theft, though this often involves an excess, such as 50 percent. Pay attention to the exact schedule of benefits to ensure your individual needs are covered. The visual aids insurance can be a valuable protection. The exact terms and exclusions are crucial for choosing the right coverage.
Weighing the costs and benefits: When is it really worthwhile to have glasses insurance?
The monthly premiums for glasses insurance often start at under ten euros. Whether such insurance is worthwhile depends on several factors. Individuals who regularly need new glasses, for example, every two years, or who value expensive models and high-quality lenses, often benefit. Especially with progressive lenses, which can cost over 1,000 euros, insurance can quickly pay off. For children and adolescents whose eyesight frequently changes, glasses insurance can be sensible despite NHS provisions for basic models if higher quality options are desired.
For athletes whose glasses are at a higher risk of damage, a policy can also be advantageous. Calculate your average expenses for visual aids over a period of two to three years and compare them with the total cost of the insurance. Glasses insurance is particularly useful if the expected benefits exceed the premiums or if financial predictability is a priority. Remember that the NHS only provides a subsidy for adults with very severe visual impairment, for example, from six dioptres.
Statutory health insurance: Limited contributions for visual aids
Statutory health insurance (GKV) covers the cost of glasses for adults only in narrowly defined exceptional cases. Entitlement to a subsidy generally only exists for myopia or hyperopia of more than six dioptres or astigmatism of over four dioptres. The GKV can also provide assistance if vision remains below 30 per cent despite correction. For children and young people under the age of 18, the cost of simple prescription lenses is usually covered.
The GKV pays fixed amounts that often cover only a fraction of the actual costs of modern lenses and frames. Policyholders usually have to pay for special coatings such as anti-reflective layers or hardening treatments themselves. The GKV’s benefits for glasses are therefore highly limited, which increases the attractiveness of private eyewear insurance for many. Eyewear insurance fills this gap and allows for better care. This highlights the need for additional protection through private supplementary health insurance.
Checking contract details: What to consider when taking out glasses insurance
Before taking out eyewear insurance, it is essential to take a close look at the terms and conditions. Pay attention to the amount of grants, which often range between 150 and 300 euros every two years. Clarify if there is a waiting period; many policies only start paying after three months, but some provide coverage immediately. The handling of excess payments is also important, especially in cases of theft or loss. Check whether prescription sunglasses or spare glasses are covered as well.
The following points should be particularly noted:
Benefits level for new visual aids (e.g., every two years).
Coverage in case of damage and theft (including deductible).
Regulations when there is a change in dioptre values (e.g., at least 0.5 dpt).
Inclusion of contact lenses and their extent of coverage.
Possible waiting periods before the first claim.
Notice periods and contract durations.
Our expert tip: Don't just compare the price, but above all, consider the value for money and the flexibility of the policy. A careful review protects against surprises when making a claim. Health and care insurances often offer combination options.
Tax aspects and legal framework conditions of eyewear insurance
The contributions for a private glasses insurance are generally not tax-deductible as special or extraordinary expenses. They are considered costs of private living expenses. An exception might apply if the glasses and therefore the insurance serve exclusively professional purposes, for example, as special safety glasses. The costs for the glasses themselves may possibly be claimed as extraordinary expenses, provided there is a medical prescription and the reasonable burden limit is exceeded. It is always advisable to consult a tax advisor on this matter.
From a legal perspective, it should be noted that advertising claims such as a “free glasses insurance” offered when purchasing glasses can be problematic under competition law. Courts have ruled that such offers could constitute an inadmissible benefit if they unduly influence the consumer. Therefore, ensure you thoroughly understand the provider’s credibility and the actual contract contents before taking out a glasses insurance policy. Knowing your insurances and taxes is advantageous here. This also applies in the context of other supplementary insurances, such as the deductibility of a dental supplementary insurance.
Find optimal coverage: 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, changes 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 coverage limits, which are often around 300 euros. Take into account the waiting periods, which can be up to three months, and any potential deductibles.
Here are some steps to choose:
Determine your personal needs (frequency of changing glasses, value of your glasses, risk tolerance).
Compare at least three different offers and their detailed descriptions of services.
Be aware of exclusions in the small print (e.g., loss due to misplacement).
Check if additional benefits such as preventive examinations or contributions towards laser eye surgery are valuable to you.
Read independent reviews and customer ratings to get a sense of service quality.
Our expert tip: A good glasses insurance offers a balanced relationship of premium, coverage, and flexibility. Take your time with the decision to benefit from your glasses insurance in the long run. Also, consider related topics such as the tax deductibility of hearing aid insurance if relevant.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked for free and receive concrete optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
The Statistisches Bundesamt provides statistical data on consumer behaviour or demographics in Germany that might be relevant for the eyewear market.
Statista delivers data on the cost structure in the optical industry in Germany, which is useful for understanding eyewear prices.
The Statistisches Bundesamt provides the weighting scheme for the consumer price index in Germany, offering insights into the impact of glasses and related products on inflation.
SPECTARIS offers an industry report on consumer optics, likely containing market data, trends, and forecasts for the eyewear sector in Germany.
The Verbraucherzentrale explains under which circumstances the health insurance covers the cost of glasses in Germany, emphasising that this usually happens only in exceptional cases.
Statista presents statistics on the number of visually impaired people in Germany, categorised by the severity of their impairment, relevant for understanding the demand for visual aids.
Augeninfo.de provides general information on vision and eye health, possibly including details on various 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 policies and regulations in the field of ophthalmology.
FAQ
What services are typically included in eyeglass insurance?
Typical benefits include allowances for new glasses or contact lenses (often up to an amount like €300 every two years), coverage for damage (repair or replacement), and often also for theft. Some plans also include prescription sunglasses or subsidies for laser eye surgeries.
Is it worthwhile for every eyeglass wearer to have glasses insurance?
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 changes in vision or fashion consciousness), or are at increased risk of damage or loss (e.g., athletes).
What does statutory health insurance pay for glasses?
The statutory health insurance only covers costs for adults in exceptional cases, such as severe visual impairment (over six dioptres or astigmatism over four dioptres). For children under 18, the costs for simple lenses are usually covered. The allowances are fixed amounts and often only cover a small part of the costs.
Is there a waiting period for eyewear insurance?
Yes, many eyewear insurance policies have a waiting period, often three months, before you can access benefits. However, there are also plans without a waiting period or with reduced waiting periods for certain services.
Are contact lenses also covered in the glasses insurance?
Yes, many eyeglass insurance policies include coverage for contact lenses, often to the same extent as for glasses. However, the specific conditions and reimbursement amounts should be reviewed in the respective plan.
What should I consider when comparing eyewear insurance?
Compare the amount of subsidies, the intervals for claiming benefits (usually every two years), coverage for breakage, theft, and loss, the amount of any excess, waiting periods, and whether contact lenses or prescription sunglasses are also covered.
