Statutory accident insurance: Who are the providers and what benefits do they offer you?
05.05.25
6
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
A workplace accident or an occupational disease can affect anyone. But who exactly is behind it when statutory accident insurance provides benefits? This article explains who the providers of statutory accident insurance are and how they support those affected with prevention, rehabilitation and compensation.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The bodies responsible for statutory accident insurance are employers’ liability insurance associations, agricultural accident insurance and public-sector accident insurance providers.
Its main tasks are prevention, rehabilitation and compensation in the event of occupational accidents and occupational diseases.
Funding is mainly provided through employer contributions; employees are generally exempt from contributions.
Understanding the structure of the accident insurance providers
Providers of statutory accident insurance are diverse and clearly structured by area of responsibility. This structure ensures that the right point of contact is available for every insured person. The legal basis for this is Section 114 of SGB VII.
The main provider groups at a glance
Essentially, three main groups of providers are distinguished. These are organised as public-law bodies and are self-governing. The self-administration bodies are often made up in equal parts of representatives of employers and insured persons.
The main groups include:
Commercial employers' liability insurance associations (BGen)
Agricultural accident insurance
Accident insurance providers in the public sector
This structure ensures sector- and industry-specific support and prevention work. The German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) serves as the umbrella association of the commercial employers' liability insurance associations and the accident insurance providers in the public sector. A precise understanding of this structure is important for companies and insured persons in order to find the correct point of contact when needed.
Commercial Employers’ Liability Insurance Associations: Industry-Specific Protection
The commercial employers’ liability insurance associations are organised by sector. There are nine such employers’ liability insurance associations in Germany. Examples include the Berufsgenossenschaft der Bauwirtschaft (BG BAU) or the Verwaltungs-Berufsgenossenschaft (VBG). This industry-specific focus enables the BGs to develop targeted preventive measures and manage risks effectively. Knowing the responsible BG is essential for every business, as membership is mandatory. A new company must be registered with the responsible employers’ liability insurance association within one week. [] The contributions are borne by the companies and are based on the insured employees’ total payroll and the company’s respective risk class. These contributions finance the full range of services from prevention and rehabilitation to pension payments. The accident insurance therefore offers comprehensive protection.
Agricultural accident insurance: Specialised for green professions
For businesses and employees in agriculture and forestry as well as horticulture, the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (SVLFG) is responsible. In matters of accident insurance, it acts as the agricultural employers' liability insurance association. Here too, insurance for employees, assisting family members and the entrepreneurs themselves is usually a compulsory insurance. Contribution assessment in agricultural accident insurance differs from that of the commercial employers' liability insurance associations. It is based on agriculture-specific indicators such as the size of the area under cultivation or the number of animals kept. This takes account of the particular risk structures and types of operation in agriculture. The SVLFG provides the same core services as other accident insurance providers: prevention, rehabilitation and compensation. One example is advice on the safe handling of machinery, which prevents thousands of accidents every year.
Public-sector accident insurance providers: protection for the state and local authorities
The public-sector accident insurance providers cover a broad range of people. This includes employees of the federal government, the Länder and local authorities. Children in day care centres, pupils and students are also insured through them, as are volunteers and helpers in emergencies. These providers include, for example, the accident insurance funds of the Länder, municipal accident insurance associations and special fire brigade accident insurance funds. An important provider is also Unfallversicherung Bund und Bahn (UVB). The financing of benefits for this group of people, particularly for pupils or volunteers, is generally provided from public funds, i.e. taxpayers’ money. As a result, many citizens have an important safety net in place, often without having to make direct contributions. The benefits of accident insurance are also comprehensive here and aim for a swift return to work or education. One example is the cover for schoolchildren on the way to school, where more than 100,000 accidents are reported every year.
Core tasks and services: What the providers do for you
Regardless of their specific remit, all institutions of statutory accident insurance pursue three core tasks. These are set out in the SGB VII. The first and most important task is the prevention of workplace accidents, occupational diseases and work-related health hazards. This is achieved through advice, training and the publication of accident prevention regulations. Secondly, rehabilitation: after an insured event, the institutions use all appropriate means to restore the health and capacity for work of insured persons. This includes medical treatment, measures for vocational reintegration and social participation. One example is financing retraining if the previous occupation can no longer be carried out. Thirdly, compensation: this includes cash benefits such as injury benefit, transition benefit or pensions for insured persons or dependants. This three-pronged strategy ensures comprehensive support when needed. The costs of accident insurance are borne collectively by companies.
The specific benefits include, among other things:
Initial treatment and medical care
Provision of medicines, dressings, therapeutic aids and assistive devices
Benefits for participation in working life (e.g. retraining)
Injury benefit during incapacity for work
Transition benefit during vocational rehabilitation measures
Pensions in the event of permanent reduction in earning capacity
Benefits for care needs
Survivors' benefits (e.g. widow's/orphan's pensions)
These benefits are provided ex officio; an application is usually not necessary. Knowledge of these benefits is crucial for those affected so that they can assert their entitlements.
Financing statutory accident insurance: a solidarity-based system
The financing of statutory accident insurance is based on a pay-as-you-go system. The funds are raised from companies through contributions. Employees generally do not pay their own contributions to statutory accident insurance. The amount of the contributions for companies is based on employees' wages and the risk class into which the company is classified. These risk classes reflect the accident risk of the sector in question. Profits may not be made by the accident insurance carriers; the contributions cover the previous year's expenses. For insured persons covered by the public-sector accident funds (e.g. school pupils, students and volunteers), the contributions are borne by the public sector, i.e. from tax revenue. This system ensures that the need for accident insurance for employees is met without any direct financial burden. The annual total expenditure of statutory accident insurance amounts to many billions of euros.
The central legal basis for the providers of statutory accident insurance is the Seventh Book of the Social Code (SGB VII). In particular, § 114 SGB VII lists the individual types of provider in detail. The accident insurance institutions also issue their own accident prevention regulations (UVVen), which are binding for their member businesses. These specify the general occupational health and safety obligations. Our expert tip: Always stay informed about the current UVVen of your responsible employers’ liability insurance association (Berufsgenossenschaft) in order to minimise liability risks and maximise safety in the workplace. Case law, for example from the social courts up to the Federal Social Court, continually develops accident insurance law further. One example is the recognition of new occupational diseases, which often takes place only after years of scientific research and legal assessment. For farmers, the insurance obligation in agriculture is also an important topic. Precise knowledge of the sections, such as § 2 SGB VII (insurance by operation of law) or § 8 SGB VII (occupational accident), is crucial for the correct handling of claims.
Your next step towards protection
The providers of statutory accident insurance form a strong network for safety and health in working life. They offer far more than just financial compensation after an accident. Their work begins much earlier – with comprehensive preventive measures aimed at preventing workplace accidents and occupational diseases from the outset. Should something still happen, they are there to support you with medical care, vocational reintegration and financial assistance. Knowledge of the relevant providers and their services is equally important for employers and employees. nextsure supports you in analysing your individual insurance situation and identifying potential for optimisation. As a digital insurance portal, we offer you comprehensive niche insurance products and tailored insurance solutions.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
Federal Office for Social Security provides a detailed overview of the institutions responsible for statutory accident insurance in Germany.
German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) is the umbrella association of the commercial employers' liability insurance associations and public-sector accident insurance institutions, and provides comprehensive information on all aspects of statutory accident insurance.
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) provides an overview of statutory accident insurance and its importance in the German social security system.
German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) explains its core tasks here, from prevention and rehabilitation to compensation.
German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) provides information on the wide range of rehabilitation services available to insured persons after a work accident or an occupational disease.
German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) offers in-depth insights into specific topics relating to accident insurance in this publication.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides up-to-date statistics on fatal workplace accidents in Germany and their development.
German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) explains the legal basis of accident insurance, in particular Book Seven of the Social Code (SGB VII).
Unfallkasse NRW provides detailed information in this PDF document on its services and offerings for insured persons in North Rhine-Westphalia.
FAQ
Who are the providers of statutory accident insurance?
The responsible bodies are the industrial employers’ liability insurance associations, the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (as the agricultural employers’ liability insurance association) and the accident insurance institutions of the public sector (e.g. accident funds).
What are the main responsibilities of the accident insurance providers?
Your core responsibilities are the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases (prevention), the restoration of health and work capacity (rehabilitation), and the financial compensation of insured persons or their dependants.
Who pays the contributions to statutory accident insurance?
The contributions are predominantly borne by employers. For employees, the insurance is generally free of charge. For certain groups of people (e.g. pupils, volunteers), the public sector covers the contributions.
What benefits does statutory accident insurance provide in the event of a claim?
The benefits include medical treatment, medical rehabilitation, benefits for participation in working life (e.g. retraining), injury benefit, transitional allowance, pensions for reduced earning capacity and survivors' pensions.
Are you also covered on the way to work?
Yes, accidents on the direct route to or from the workplace (commuting accidents) are also covered by statutory accident insurance.
Where can I find the legal basis for statutory accident insurance?
The most important legal basis is Book Seven of the Social Code (SGB VII).
