Am I covered by personal liability insurance when volunteering in Germany?
In short
Am I covered when volunteering in Germany? As a helper without an office, usually yes: many personal liability insurance policies (Privathaftpflicht) include volunteer work. Board members and treasurers are mostly excluded and rely on the club's liability policy. Anyone paid up to EUR 3,300 a year by the club is liable to it only for intent or gross negligence.
What cover for volunteering costs in Germany, based on published figures.
Example
Typical range
Personal liability for singles, volunteering included
about EUR 40 to 120 a year
Personal liability for families
about EUR 60 to 180 a year
Basic D&O policy for a smaller club
from about EUR 250 a year, paid by the club
State volunteer insurance, example Bavaria
EUR 0, no application or premium, secondary
Guide values as of October 2026 from published figures.
Whether your role is covered is stated only in your policy terms; we check this before quoting.
The worked example is a guide value from practice.
Worked example
Volunteer at a summer party of a citizens' initiative
While taking down a gazebo, a pole falls onto a visitor's parked car. The initiative is not a registered club.
Repair of bonnet and wing
about EUR 2,400
Club liability policy
none, as there is no club
Personal liability insurance including volunteering
pays the EUR 2,400 minus any agreed deductible
Without your own policy
the state scheme as a fallback, if the activity is covered there
With your own personal liability insurance the claim is settled in one step. The state scheme is only the last resort.
Who pays first: club, your policy or the state
If you help a registered club (eingetragener Verein, e.V.) or another organisation, the organisation is often liable to third parties first. Its club liability policy (Vereinshaftpflicht) then covers members and helpers acting within the club's purpose.
Your own personal liability insurance steps in when you help as a private person, for example a neighbour, or when the club has no suitable cover. The volunteer insurance schemes of the federal states (Ehrenamtsversicherung) are a safety net: they apply only if no other policy pays and mainly to initiatives and self help groups without legal form. Club members are not covered by them.
Your role
Who usually pays
Helper at a club party, member without an office
club liability policy, otherwise often your personal policy
Coach or instructor in a sports club
club liability policy, your policy depending on terms
Board member, treasurer, head of a section
club liability policy, D&O for financial losses
Citizens' initiative or self help group without a club
your personal policy, then the state scheme
Helping neighbours on your own
your personal liability insurance
What personal liability insurance covers when you volunteer
Volunteer work can usually be included in personal liability insurance, and many current policies name it expressly. Covered are injuries and property damage you cause as a private person, such as knocking a speaker's projector off the table.
Many policies exclude leading offices and responsible functions. Where the line is drawn differs from policy to policy, so read the section on volunteering (Ehrenamt) in your terms.
Board members: the law helps, but not fully
Under Section 31a of the German Civil Code (BGB), board members who work unpaid or receive at most EUR 3,300 a year are liable to the club only for intent or gross negligence. If they must compensate a third party, they can ask the club to release them, except for intent or gross negligence. Section 31b gives the same to ordinary members working for the club.
Towards third parties a board member remains personally liable in principle. Pure financial losses, such as a missed grant application, are paid neither by personal nor by normal club liability insurance. That is what D&O insurance for the club's officers is for.
An accident while volunteering is a separate question
Liability insurance pays for harm you cause to others. If you get hurt yourself, accident cover matters. Many volunteers are covered by statutory accident insurance by law, for example in health care, welfare, rescue services or for churches and municipalities (Section 2 SGB VII).
Elected board members of a sports club are not automatically included. Clubs, umbrella associations or the state offer their own accident cover for them.
When you need nothing extra
If you help without an office and your club has liability insurance, you are usually covered twice. A special volunteer policy is not needed.
D&O insurance is taken out by the club for its officers, not by you personally. Ask about it before you stand for election.
Step by step
Check whether you work for a registered club, an organisation or an informal group.
Ask the club about its liability policy and who is insured.
Read the volunteering section of your own policy terms.
Before taking an office, ask whether the club has D&O insurance.
Clarify accident cover separately.
Checklist
Volunteering expressly named in your personal liability policy
Cover of at least EUR 10 million
Club liability policy covers members and helpers
D&O for board and treasurer through the club
Loss of other people's keys, for example to the club house, included
Accident cover while volunteering clarified
Common mistakes
Assuming personal liability insurance also covers a board seat
Relying on the state scheme while volunteering for a registered club
Mixing up liability and accident cover and insuring only one
Driving for the club and expecting personal liability insurance to pay for damage to other cars
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Is volunteering included in every personal liability policy?
No.
Many policies name it expressly, older or very cheap ones not always.
Check the volunteering section of your terms.
Am I covered as a coach in a sports club?
Usually through the club's liability policy.
Your own policy may add cover, as long as you hold no leading role.
What about the treasurer?
The treasurer is part of the board.
Personal liability insurance usually does not pay here.
For financial losses the club needs D&O cover.
Am I liable with my private assets as a board member?
Towards the club only for intent or gross negligence if you receive at most EUR 3,300 a year.
Towards third parties you are liable in principle, but can ask the club to release you.
What is the state volunteer insurance?
A fallback scheme of the federal states for volunteers in groups without legal form.
It is secondary and does not cover club members.
Does personal liability insurance pay if I drive for the club?
No.
Damage caused by using a car is excluded; the car's motor liability insurance is responsible.
Am I covered for an accident while volunteering?
Often through statutory accident insurance, for example in welfare, rescue services or churches.
Elected club board members are not automatically included.
