Bavarian dental insurance: Comprehensive protection for your smile
19 Apr 2025
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
High dental costs can quickly become a financial burden. A dental insurance policy from Bayerische offers you protection against unexpected expenses and ensures you receive high-quality dental care. Discover how the right tariffs can optimally secure your dental health.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The Bavarian supplementary dental insurance offers plans (Smart, Comfort, Prestige) with up to 100% coverage for dental treatment and dentures, often without waiting periods.
The ZAHN Immediate add-on allows coverage for already recommended treatments for an additional monthly charge of 29.90 euros.
Stiftung Warentest rated the ZAHN Prestige tariff several times as a test winner with the grade "very good" (0.5).
Understanding the range of services offered by Bavarian dental supplementary insurance
The dental supplementary insurance policies of the Bayerische offer a wide range of services depending on the scope of coverage. These include reimbursements for dental treatments such as composite fillings, root canal, or periodontal treatments. High-quality dental prosthetics such as inlays, crowns, bridges, and implants are also covered by most policies, up to one hundred per cent of the costs. Professional teeth cleaning is generally a fixed component of the policies. Some policies, such as the ZAHN Prestige, even cover costs for bleaching or orthodontic treatments for adults up to 2,000 euros.
It is particularly noteworthy that many of the Bayerische’s policies can be taken out without waiting periods, allowing you to use services immediately after the contract begins. For treatments that are already advised or have begun, there is also the optional ZAHN Immediate component, which can be added for 29.90 euros per month and provides up to 1,500 euros over 24 months. The ZAHN Comfort and ZAHN Prestige policies also cover orthodontic services for children and adults. Find out about the details of the dental supplementary insurance to find the right protection.
Tariff options of Bayerische in detail: Smart, Comfort and Prestige
Die Bayerische offers three main dental insurance plans: ZAHN Smart, ZAHN Komfort, and ZAHN Prestige. The ZAHN Smart plan is designed as a starter package, covering 75 percent of dental treatments and dentures, with an annual subsidy of 80 Euros for professional teeth cleaning. For the ZAHN Komfort plan, the reimbursement for dental treatments increases to 100 percent, for dentures to 80 to 90 percent (100 percent for standard care), and for professional teeth cleaning up to 150 Euros per year. The premium plan, ZAHN Prestige, reimburses both dental treatments and dentures at 100 percent and offers up to 200 Euros annually for professional teeth cleaning and bleaching. All plans come without waiting times. The ZAHN Komfort plan also allows an increase in the reimbursement rate for dentures from 80 to 90 percent through a bonus booklet maintained over five years. Comparing dental insurance plans helps in making a choice.
Here is an overview of the key benefits:
ZAHN Smart: 75 percent for dental treatments and dentures, 80 Euros for teeth cleaning.
ZAHN Komfort: 100 percent for dental treatments, 80-90 percent for dentures (100 percent for standard care), 150 Euros for teeth cleaning.
ZAHN Prestige: 100 percent for dental treatments and dentures, 200 Euros for teeth cleaning/bleaching.
ZAHN Prestige Plus: In addition to Prestige, up to 250 Euros for prophylaxis and bleaching, plus additional extras.
The choice of the right plan depends greatly on your individual needs and the level of coverage you desire.
Costs and Contribution Structure of the Bavarian Dental Supplementary Insurance
The monthly premiums for supplementary dental insurance from Bayerische vary depending on the chosen plan and the insured person's age at entry. The entry-level plan ZAHN Smart is available from as little as 4.80 euros per month. For the plan ZAHN Komfort, premiums start at approximately 16.50 euros per month, while the high-coverage plan ZAHN Prestige is available from 17.50 euros per month. It is important to note that premiums can increase with age as the risk for dental treatments tends to rise. Bayerische also takes the place of residence into account when calculating premiums, which can lead to regionally varying costs. A detailed calculation is possible using the Bayerische's online calculator. The minimum contract duration is usually two years. Consider what supplementary dental insurance can cost to plan your budget effectively.
Immediate protection and regulations for existing treatment needs
A significant advantage of many Bayerische dental supplementary insurance plans is the waiver of general waiting periods. This means you can immediately use services for teeth cleaning, dental treatments, and dentures right after the contract is concluded. This is particularly relevant if unexpected dental problems arise. For cases where a treatment was already recommended or even started before the contract, Bayerische offers the ZAHN Sofort additional module. This module can be added to any main plan for a monthly fee of 29.90 Euros and provides up to 1,500 Euros over two years (maximum 750 Euros per calendar year). The term of the ZAHN Sofort module automatically ends after two years, while the chosen main plan remains unchanged. This option provides valuable security, even if the dentist appointment is already scheduled. A comparison of dental supplementary insurance without waiting time can provide clarity here.
Expert opinions and test results on the Bavarian dental supplementary insurance
The rates of the Bavarian dental supplementary insurance are regularly evaluated by independent testers. For example, Stiftung Warentest has awarded the ZAHN Prestige tariff the highest rating of 'very good' (0.5 in the 08/2024 issue) multiple times and declared it the test winner. Such evaluations can provide guidance when choosing a tariff. In the 2024 test, a total of 287 tariffs were examined. However, it is important not only to focus on test results but also to consider individual needs and the desired scope of benefits. The Bavarian company itself emphasizes that in the event of a claim, the money is often in the insured's account within ten days. When selecting a dental supplementary insurance for adult braces, special tariff details should be considered.
Important criteria in tests often include:
Reimbursement amount for dental prostheses (e.g., implants, crowns).
Benefits for dental treatments (e.g., fillings, root canal treatments).
Costs for professional teeth cleaning.
Regulations regarding waiting periods and sum limits in the first few years.
These aspects help to evaluate the quality and suitability of a tariff.
Special services: orthodontics and other extras
Alongside the standard services for dental treatment and dentures, some of Bayerische's policies also cover costs for orthodontic treatments. The ZAHN Komfort and ZAHN Prestige policies provide benefits for both children and adults in this regard. For example, in the ZAHN Prestige policy, up to 1,500 euros are reimbursed over the entire contract term when there is prior service by the statutory health insurance (GKV), or up to 2,000 euros without prior service by the GKV, given medical necessity. This also applies to modern methods such as invisible braces (Invisalign) or lingual technique. In the ZAHN Prestige Plus policy, orthodontic procedures are reimbursed at a rate of eighty to one hundred percent, with a budget of up to 2,000 euros, regardless of age. Depending on the policy, additional extras may include coverage for an electric toothbrush in the first year of coverage (for example, in the Prestige policy) or a voucher. Special pain management measures, such as acupuncture, hypnosis, or anaesthesia, can also be reimbursed up to an amount of 200 euros per calendar year in the ZAHN Prestige policy. For families, the insurance for children's braces is an important point. Those wondering whether having two supplementary dental insurance policies is allowed should review the policy conditions carefully; Bayerische excludes this in their terms for the ZAHN Prestige policy.
Important Contract Aspects and Application Submission
Before taking out supplementary dental insurance with Bayerische, several health questions need to be answered. Typically, there are four questions. Coverage is provided for individuals with a permanent residence in Germany who are insured under the statutory health insurance (GKV) or receive free medical care. There are limitations regarding the number of missing teeth (a maximum of three) and certain pre-existing conditions such as periodontitis or enamel defects in the three years prior to the conclusion of the contract. The minimum contract term is usually two years. The benefit limits in the initial years of insurance should also be noted: In the ZAHN Prestige plan, for example, the maximum is 1,250 euros in the first calendar year, increasing to 5,000 euros in the first four calendar years if no teeth or only one tooth is missing at the time of contract conclusion. With two or three missing teeth, the initial maximum limits are lower. Submitting a cost estimate to the supplementary dental insurance is always advisable before major treatments.
In summary, the following points are relevant when applying and for the contract terms:
Answering four health questions.
Insurance requirement: GKV membership or free medical care and residence in Germany.
Limitation to a maximum of three missing teeth and exclusion of certain pre-existing conditions.
Minimum contract term of two years.
Tiered benefit limits in the first four insurance years.
These conditions ensure a fair risk assessment for both parties involved in the contract.
Conclusion: Find the right insurance for your dental health
The supplementary dental insurance from Bayerische offers a flexible way to protect yourself against high dental costs and gain access to high-quality dental care. With various plans such as ZAHN Smart, ZAHN Komfort, and ZAHN Prestige, as well as the add-on module ZAHN Sofort, coverage can be tailored to meet individual needs – from solid basic coverage to comprehensive premium protection. The waiver of waiting periods for many plans is a clear advantage. The positive ratings from Stiftung Warentest, particularly for the ZAHN Prestige plan, highlight its performance. Careful consideration of your own requirements and a comparison of the plan details are crucial to finding the optimal supplementary dental insurance. nextsure is happy to support you in analysing your individual risk situation and choosing the right solution for your dental health.
More useful links
The Federal Ministry of Health provides information on dental treatment in Germany.
The German Dental Association offers data and figures on the German dental system.
The German Dental Association presents the findings of the German Oral Health Study (DMS).
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists publishes its statistical yearbook with relevant data.
Wikipedia provides an article on the Fee Schedule for Dentists (GOZ).
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides tables on healthcare expenditure by type of service.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds delivers key figures on statutory health insurance (GKV).
The AOK presents numbers and facts about dentists.
Stiftung Warentest offers a test report on dental supplementary insurance.
FAQ
Welche Vorteile bietet die Zahnzusatzversicherung der Bayerischen?
Die Bayerische bietet bis zu hundert Prozent Kostenerstattung, keine Wartezeiten in vielen Tarifen, einen Sofort-Baustein für laufende Behandlungen, und Testsieger-Tarife wie ZAHN Prestige.
Wie schnell erstattet die Bayerische die Kosten?
Laut Angaben der Bayerischen ist das Geld im Leistungsfall oft nach zehn Tagen auf dem Konto des Versicherten.
Sind professionelle Zahnreinigungen bei der Bayerischen mitversichert?
Ja, die professionelle Zahnreinigung ist in jedem Tarif der Bayerischen Zahnzusatzversicherung enthalten, die Höhe der Erstattung variiert je nach Tarif (z.B. 80 Euro bei Smart, bis zu 200 Euro bei Prestige).
Was deckt der Tarif ZAHN Prestige der Bayerischen ab?
Der Tarif ZAHN Prestige erstattet hundert Prozent der Kosten für Zahnbehandlung und Zahnersatz, bis zu 200 Euro jährlich für professionelle Zahnreinigung und Bleaching, sowie Kieferorthopädie bis 2.000 Euro.
Kann ich eine Zahnzusatzversicherung bei der Bayerischen abschließen, wenn schon eine Behandlung geplant ist?
Ja, mit dem Zusatz-Baustein ZAHN Sofort können Sie auch für bereits angeratene oder laufende Behandlungen eine Erstattung erhalten. Dieser kostet zusätzlich 29,90 Euro pro Monat.
Wie wichtig ist das Bonusheft für die Leistungen der Bayerischen?
Im Tarif ZAHN Komfort kann ein lückenlos geführtes Bonusheft über fünf Jahre den Erstattungssatz für Zahnersatz von achtzig Prozent auf neunzig Prozent erhöhen.
