Important insurance information.

If you have instructed us to arrange a new policy, please do not cancel an existing policy outside our management until the new contract has been accepted, that is, until you receive the insurance certificate. Please contact us if notice periods must be observed.

Please note section 19 of the German Insurance Contract Act (VVG), concerning disclosure of material risk circumstances: when concluding a contract, the policyholder must disclose all circumstances known to them that are material to the insurer’s acceptance of the risk.

If the insurer sends the policy directly to you, please check it for accuracy, particularly for any differences from the application submitted.

Cover begins only once the first premium has been paid and no earlier than the requested start date. Subsequent premiums must be paid within two weeks of a reminder in accordance with section 39 VVG.

Observe your contractual obligations. Failure to do so may release the insurer from liability, for example regarding prompt notification of claims, prevention and mitigation of loss, and disclosure of circumstances that increase the risk.

Changing insurer or replacing cover will generally involve advantages and disadvantages compared with the previous policy.

Tell us about any changes in your circumstances that require your insurance policies to be adjusted.

When the insurance confirmation is issued, provisional cover applies only to motor liability insurance.

When selling a vehicle, deregister it or register it to the buyer; otherwise you remain liable for the premium.

Discounts may depend on annual mileage, permitted drivers, garaging and occupation. Report changes immediately.

Do not appoint your own expert for comprehensive or collision claims; obtain instructions from the insurer.

Answer health questions fully and accurately. Incomplete or incorrect information entitles the insurer to withdraw from the contract.

You may also send the health declaration directly to the insurer.

Illnesses arising between application and acceptance generally have to be reported.

Quoted bonus shares are not guaranteed and depend on future capital-market, cost and risk developments.

Under policies with front-loaded acquisition costs, a large proportion of costs is deducted from the first contributions. On surrender or conversion to paid-up status, the value available may be lower than the contributions paid.

If your policy is based on non-smoker terms, please tell us if you start smoking after the policy begins.

Particularly hazardous sports or activities, including piloting an aircraft, are covered only if specifically agreed.

Premium increases are unavoidable because of rising healthcare costs and increasing life expectancy.

You can change to another tariff offered by your insurer while retaining your ageing reserve.

Ageing reserves are lost when changing health insurer.

Before using alternative treatments, entering fee agreements or receiving treatment abroad, confirm coverage with the insurer.

Submit cost estimates before dentures, orthodontics or major dental treatment.

Arrange confirmation of coverage for inpatient treatment.

Report illnesses under daily sickness allowance and mandatory long-term care insurance immediately; benefits are not paid retrospectively.

Children can be included in a parent’s health insurance without a medical examination, generally subject to a two-month notification period.

Report accidents immediately and obtain medical treatment. Accidental death may have to be reported within 24 hours.

Disability benefits must be claimed in writing within twelve months.

Report a change of occupation immediately; many insurers distinguish between manual and office-based work.

Only the property described in the contract at the agreed insured location is covered. Report changes immediately.

Unless all-risks insurance applies, only the risks expressly named are covered.

Check the sum insured. In cases of underinsurance, the insurer reduces payment in the ratio between the insured value and the sum insured.

Observe statutory and official requirements, such as electrical inspections and fire-prevention rules.

Report vacant premises immediately and use the agreed burglary protection.

For commercial escape-of-water insurance, stock in rooms below ground level generally has to be stored at least 20 cm above the floor.

Report extensions or increases in risk and complete risk questionnaires in full.

Check the limit of indemnity and any sub-limits; your statutory liability is unlimited.

Notify us immediately of third-party claims. Do not admit liability or instruct your own lawyer without the insurer’s consent.

Obtain confirmation of cover before using a lawyer’s services.

Agree that the lawyer will begin work only after written confirmation of costs has been received.

Many legal expenses insurers offer free telephone legal advice.

Cover generally applies to legal infringements occurring after a three-month waiting period.