Daily sickness benefits insurance: review benefits and waiting periods
Daily sickness benefits may replace part of income lost during temporary incapacity. Businesses also need to coordinate cover with salary-continuation duties; self-employed applicants have a different starting point. Benefit start dates and conditions matter as much as premiums. A quote does not confirm acceptance or cover for an existing sickness claim.
Group cover or an individual person
Explain whether the request concerns employees as a group, your self-employed activity or an individual employee. Group and individual contracts have different foundations. Existing protection, staff changes and desired benefits must fit together; a small business is not automatically an individual contract.
Distinguish KVG from VVG
Daily benefits can be social insurance under KVG or a private contract under VVG. Acceptance, reservations and switching rights differ. In particular, VVG contracts have no general duty to accept applicants. Ask for the legal basis and do not apply KVG rules to a VVG quote.
| System | What to check |
|---|---|
| Daily benefits under KVG | Statutory acceptance, reservation and transfer rules; check the actual daily amount |
| Daily benefits under VVG | Contractual acceptance and benefits; read reservations and transfer conditions |
Coordinate salary duties and insured benefits
Buying insurance does not automatically end an employer’s salary obligations. Employment contracts, collective or standard employment agreements and equivalence of a replacement arrangement need consideration. Clarify who bears waiting periods, uncovered salary portions and rejected benefits. Public-law employment may have different rules.
Read benefit amounts and duration together
Compare insured earnings or the agreed daily benefit, the required incapacity level and maximum benefit duration within the relevant period. Ask how repeated sickness and partial incapacity are treated. A commonly offered benefit does not guarantee identical protection in every policy.
Choose the waiting period deliberately
Benefits start after the agreed waiting period and subject to other conditions. A longer period may affect premiums but leaves the temporary income loss with the employer or insured person. Clarify how days are counted and repeated absences treated. Suitable terms depend on obligations and the protection sought.
Compare quotes on the same basis
Business activity, covered people, payroll, benefits and risk assessment affect premiums. Give each provider the same starting information and ask about charges and premium changes. Claims histories and medical details do not belong in the public initial description. A general percentage cannot replace an individual quote.
| Comparison | Clarify in the quote |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Salary share or daily amount, duration and evidence |
| Waiting period | Start, day counting and repeat cases |
| Conditions | Reservations, exclusions and termination |
| Costs | Premium basis, charges and adjustment rules |
Prepare purchase or switching safely
Briefly describe the reason, activity, group and desired waiting period. For businesses, initially give headcount and approximate aggregate annual payroll. Then check the contract basis and acceptance terms, exchange necessary records securely and confirm the start. End existing cover only after clarifying new acceptance, open cases and any transfer rights.
Frequently asked questions
Is daily sickness insurance mandatory for every business?
There is no general statutory obligation to buy it. An applicable collective employment agreement or other arrangements may nevertheless require cover.
Does health insurance already cover lost earnings?
Mandatory medical insurance and daily benefits are different forms of cover. Check whether a separate income-loss contract exists.
Are two years of benefits always insured?
No. Duration, reference period and conditions depend on the legal basis and contract. Read the specific quote and terms.
Can I request a quote as a self-employed person?
Yes. State your self-employed activity. Possible individual or group arrangements need assessment for acceptance and actual benefits.
Must I describe illnesses in the request?
No. State only the insurance need. Any later health or risk assessment takes place directly with the insurer through a secure channel.
Does cover automatically follow a change of job?
That cannot be promised generally. KVG and VVG have different transfer rules; check rights, deadlines and terms before the change.
