Immediate protection: Your daily sickness allowance insurance without waiting period
8 Apr 2025
9
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A sudden loss of earnings due to illness can affect anyone and quickly lead to financial shortages. A sickness benefit insurance with no waiting period provides immediate protection and bridges the gap to net income. Find out how to secure yourself optimally.
The topic in brief and concise terms
A daily sickness allowance insurance policy without a waiting period provides financial protection, often from the first day of the agreed deferment period, especially in the case of accidents, and bridges the usual three-month waiting period of many plans.
Self-employed individuals, low-income earners, and people with high financial obligations particularly benefit from an immediate commencement of services, as statutory sick pay is often insufficient or not paid at all.
Pay close attention to the tariff details when signing the contract: Does the waiver of the waiting period apply to all causes of illness? Are there tiered benefits or higher premiums, and how are the insurer's cancellation rights regulated?
Immediate protection explained: What does "without waiting period" mean?
A daily sickness benefit insurance without a waiting period promises benefits from the first day of the agreed deferral period, without an additional months-long waiting period after the contract is concluded. Typically, contracts stipulate a general waiting period of three months. With tariffs without a waiting period, this hurdle is removed, often particularly in the case of incapacity to work due to an accident. This means that in the event of a claim, you do not have to bridge several months before the insurance pays out. For employees, the start of benefits is typically relevant after six weeks of continued salary payment by the employer. Self-employed individuals, on the other hand, often need protection from an earlier point, as their income ceases immediately.
Many insurers generally waive the waiting period for accidents even if there is a general waiting period. This offers important basic protection from the beginning of the contract for accident-related absences. However, pay close attention to the conditions: Does the waiver of the waiting period apply to all causes of illness or just for accidents? Some providers allow the waiver of waiting periods if a medical certificate is submitted or upon conclusion together with a full health insurance policy. A daily sickness benefit insurance is thus an important component of your financial security. The exact regulations are crucial for your seamless protection.
Clearly recognize benefits: Why choose a daily sickness benefit insurance without a waiting period?
The main advantage of a sickness benefit insurance with no waiting period is the immediate financial security it provides. When income is lost, gaps quickly develop, often in just a few weeks. With instant cover, you don't need to dip into savings that might be intended for other purposes. Statutory sick pay typically covers only about seventy percent of the gross income, but no more than ninety percent of the net income. This difference of twenty to thirty percent can be a significant burden. An immediately paying sickness benefit insurance fills this gap from the agreed starting point, for example, from the 43rd day for employees.
This aspect is crucial for self-employed individuals and freelancers, as they usually do not receive continued pay and each day of absence directly translates into financial losses. You can often choose the start of benefits more flexibly, for instance, from the 15th or 22nd day. A quick start of benefits without months of waiting period significantly reduces financial pressure. Additionally, some tariffs without a waiting time also offer protection for certain pre-existing conditions if they can be concluded without a medical examination, which makes access easier. Learn about the sickness benefit insurance options that provide you with immediate protection. This way, you secure your financial liquidity and can fully focus on your recovery.
Practical examples and calculation: How immediate protection impacts
Imagine you are an employee with a net income of 3,000 euros per month. After six weeks of continued salary payments, you receive sickness benefits from the statutory fund, which might be around 2,300 euros. This creates a monthly gap of 700 euros. A daily sickness benefit insurance without a waiting period, which pays from the 43rd day, would immediately close this gap. With a typical waiting period of three months, you would need to bridge 2,100 euros yourself. A self-employed person with similar income has this gap from the first day of being unable to work unless they have protection. If they choose a plan with benefits from the 22nd day without a waiting period, they receive financial support much earlier.
Calculation example for an employee:
Net income: 3,000 euros/month (100 euros/day)
Statutory sickness benefit (approx. 77% of net): 2,300 euros/month (approx. 77 euros/day)
Income gap: 700 euros/month (approx. 23 euros/day)
Required daily sickness benefit: 23 euros/day
Without a waiting period, this money flows directly after the end of continued salary payments. With three months waiting period, you miss 2,100 euros (3 months x 700 euros). For an accurate adjustment of your daily sickness benefit, an individual calculation is essential. This illustrates the immediate financial advantage of daily sickness benefit insurance without a waiting period.
Target audiences in focus: For whom is avoiding waiting time particularly important?
Although a daily sickness allowance insurance without a waiting period is advantageous for many, certain groups particularly benefit. These primarily include the self-employed and freelancers. They usually do not have entitlement to continued salary payments, and statutory sick pay often applies only with an election and additional contributions. Each day of incapacity to work means a direct 100 percent loss of earnings for them. A quick start of benefits is often crucial here. Employees with low financial reserves or high ongoing costs should also consider a tariff without a waiting period. Bridging three months can heavily strain the budget.
Other groups for whom immediate protection makes sense:
Start-up founders: Financial cushions are often thin in the initial phase.
Sole earners: The entire family income depends on one person.
People with recently completed financing (e.g., mortgage): Instalments must be paid on time here.
Employees whose income is significantly above the contribution assessment ceiling: The gap caused by statutory sick pay is particularly large here.
Anyone just starting out in self-employment or with only a small financial cushion should consider the option of a daily sickness allowance insurance without a waiting period. The difference between statutory sick pay and daily sickness allowance is central here. A careful analysis of one's own financial situation helps in making the decision.
Expert knowledge: Legal foundations and tariff details when waiving waiting time
The general waiting periods in daily sickness benefits insurance are regulated in Paragraph 197 of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG). According to this, the general waiting period must not exceed three months. For certain services, such as psychotherapy or childbirth, it can be eight months. A waiver of the general waiting period is a contractual advantage for the insured. Often, this waiver is subject to conditions, such as incapacity to work due to an accident. Some tariffs advertised as "daily sickness benefits insurance without waiting period" primarily refer to this accident aspect or require a health examination. However, there are also offers that completely waive waiting periods or relax them under certain circumstances, such as when switching from statutory health insurance with prior insurance periods.
Our expert tip: Review the insurance conditions (AVB/MBKT) carefully. Pay attention to whether the waiver of the waiting period applies comprehensively or is restricted to specific scenarios. Also, clarify whether there are graduated benefits in the first few months, even if the waiting period is waived. Sometimes a sensible daily sickness benefits insurance is also one with a shortened health examination, which might then have a regular waiting period. The question "How long is daily sickness benefit paid?" is also relevant, but independent of the waiting period. A waiver of the insurer's ordinary right of termination in the first three years is another quality feature.
Avoid pitfalls: What to look for when finalizing
While a daily sickness benefit insurance without a waiting period sounds tempting, there are some points to consider. Not every plan that advertises "immediate coverage" is automatically the best choice. Compare the monthly premiums carefully. Waiving waiting periods can sometimes lead to higher premiums. Check if the amount of the daily benefit you can insure meets your needs and if there are limitations, such as a maximum of thirty euros per day for plans without health checks. Be aware of exclusions: Are certain pre-existing conditions excluded from coverage, even if no health questions were asked? The phrase "no compensation for insurance cases occurring before the start of coverage" is standard here.
Key points to check are:
Does the waiver of the waiting period apply to all illnesses or only accidents?
Are there benefit limitations in the first months after the contract starts, even if the waiting period is waived (e.g., a maximum of 60 days of benefits in months four to twelve)?
What are the regulations regarding dynamics, such as adjusting the daily benefits to rising income, without a new health check?
Does the insurer waive the ordinary right to terminate within the first three years?
A careful look into the insurance terms is essential to avoid surprises later. Sometimes it can happen that the private health insurance does not pay the daily sickness benefit if conditions are not met. Combining with a disability insurance can also be sensible, but covers other risks. For self-employed individuals, the daily sickness benefit is often the only source of income in case of illness.
Have your insurance situation checked for free and receive concrete optimization suggestions. Request your individual risk analysis now.
More useful links
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) provides current data on sickness absence in Germany.
Federal Ministry of Health offers an online guide to health insurance in Germany.
National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds publishes important figures on statutory health insurance in Germany.
Consumer Centre provides information on entitlement to sickness benefits and how to apply for them.
Federal Office for Social Security offers a comprehensive overview of health insurance in Germany.
German Pension Insurance explains transitional benefits during rehabilitation measures.
National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) provides information on incapacity for work.
Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BauA) provides data on the costs of incapacity for work.
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) offers information on healthcare expenditures in Germany.
FAQ
What is the difference between waiting time and grace period in daily sickness allowance?
The waiting period is a timeframe immediately after signing a contract (e.g. three months) during which there is generally no entitlement to benefits. The waiting period is the time from the onset of incapacity to work until the start of sickness benefit payments (e.g. the first six weeks during which employees receive continued salary payment). A sickness benefit insurance without a waiting period provides benefits after the waiting period ends, without the additional waiting time after contract commencement.
Is the waiting period waived for every daily sickness allowance insurance in the event of an accident?
For many daily sickness benefit insurances, the general waiting period is waived if the incapacity to work is the result of an accident that occurs after the start of the insurance. This is a common but not universal regulation. Always check the specific tariff conditions of your contract.
Can I take out a daily sickness allowance insurance without a waiting period if I am already ill?
No, coverage is generally not provided for incapacity to work that already exists or occurs before the contract is concluded, even with plans that have no waiting period. The insurance coverage applies to illnesses that occur after the start of the contract and, if applicable, after specific periods have elapsed.
Is a daily sickness allowance insurance without a waiting period more expensive?
A plan without a waiting period may be slightly more expensive than a comparable plan with a regular waiting period, as the insurer bears a higher risk of quicker utilization. Therefore, a detailed comparison of different offers is important.
What documents do I need for benefits from a daily sickness allowance insurance without a waiting period?
You generally need a medical certificate confirming your inability to work (the so-called 'yellow certificate' or a digital certificate of incapacity for work), information about your income, and possibly other documents requested by the insurer. Your insurer will inform you of the exact requirements.
What should my sick leave allowance be without a waiting period?
Sickness benefit should bridge the gap between your net income and statutory sick pay (or other wage replacement benefits). As a rule of thumb, sickness benefit together with other sick pay should not exceed your average net income.
