Property, liability, accident and legal expenses policies
three months before the renewal date
These contracts usually run for a year and renew automatically. To end one, the cancellation has to reach the insurer three months before the renewal date, not merely be posted by then.
Outside the normal window: On top of that, a claim you have reported and a premium increase without more cover each open a one month window to cancel, whatever the renewal date.
Applies to:
Personal liability, Contents insurance, Buildings insurance, Natural hazard cover, Solar panel insurance, Self-build insurance, Bicycle and e-bike, Drone insurance, Dog and horse liability, Legal expenses insurance, Accident insurance, Travel insurance, Business liability, Professional indemnity, D&O insurance, Business legal expenses, Business contents, Commercial buildings, Business interruption, Electronic equipment, Machinery breakdown, Contractors all risks, Cargo insurance, Cyber insurance, Trade credit insurance, Group accident insurance
Motor insurance
one month before the renewal date (30.11.)
In Germany most motor policies run to 31 December, which makes 30 November the last day the cancellation can arrive. If your policy started mid year, count back one month from your own renewal date.
Outside the normal window: A premium increase, a reported claim and selling or deregistering the vehicle each carry their own deadline.
Applies to:
Car insurance, Fleet insurance
Private health insurance
three months to the end of the policy year
Cancelling is rarely the right question here. Switching insurer costs part of the ageing reserves, and going back to the statutory system depends on age and income. Changing tariff inside the same company is usually the cheaper route, and the law allows it.
Outside the normal window: A cancellation only takes effect once you prove that new health cover is in place.
Applies to:
Private health insurance
Health and care top up policies
three months before renewal, often after a minimum term
Many top up tariffs run for a minimum of two years before the normal notice period applies. With dental cover, waiting periods and yearly limits start again in the new contract, so switching shortly before planned treatment costs you cover.
Outside the normal window: A premium increase opens a one month window to cancel here as well.
Applies to:
Supplementary health, Dental insurance, Long-term care, Pet health insurance, Company health insurance
Disability, term life, pension and funeral cover
to the end of the current payment period
These contracts can be cancelled at the end of any payment period, so monthly up to yearly depending on how you pay. That is exactly the risk: disability cover given up now is often unobtainable a few years later with a diagnosis on file, and a pension contract surrendered early pays back less than you put in.
Outside the normal window: Instead of cancelling: defer the premium, make the contract paid up or reduce the sum insured.
Applies to:
Occupational disability, Term life insurance, Funeral insurance, Private pension
Occupational pension
not freely cancellable
An occupational pension normally cannot simply be cancelled and paid out; the money is tied up for retirement. What is possible: pause contributions, put the contract on hold, or take it with you when you change employer.
Outside the normal window: When changing jobs there is a one year window to move the accrued capital to the new employer's scheme.
Applies to:
Company pension (bAV)