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Does accident insurance pay if I fall while ice skating in Germany?

In short

Does accident insurance pay if I fall while ice skating in Germany? Private accident insurance does: hitting the ice is an accident, and the model terms do not exclude skating. Money comes mainly for lasting harm. Statutory accident insurance only pays for school sport or insured work. For an office job private cover costs about EUR 60 to 180 a year.

Does accident insurance pay if I fall while ice skating in Germany?

What it costs

Premiums for private accident insurance in Germany with a EUR 100,000 basic sum and 350 percent progression, plus club sports insurance benefits.

ExampleTypical range
Adults in an office jobabout EUR 60 to 180 a year
Adults in manual tradesabout EUR 120 to 260 a year
Children, classic children's accident coverabout EUR 50 to 100 a year
Seniors aged 60 or 70 and overabout EUR 120 to 460 a year
Sports insurance NRW, death benefit for adultsEUR 12,000, plus EUR 3,000 per dependent child
Sports insurance NRW, disabilityfrom 15 percent degree, up to EUR 200,000

Premiums as of July 2026 from publicly quoted tariff examples;

sports insurance according to the NRW state sports federation, retrieved November 2026.

The worked example is calculated linearly without progression and is a guide value from our

quoting practice.

We obtain the exact quote as your broker.

Worked example

Fall at the ice rink, wrist remains restricted

A leisure skater breaks her wrist. After a year a restriction remains, which the doctor assesses at two tenths of the value of the hand. Basic sum EUR 100,000.

Value of the hand in the limb table55 percent
Two tenths of that11 percent disability
Private accident insuranceEUR 11,000
Sports insurance, if in a clubEUR 0, below 15 percent
Statutory accident insurance in leisure timeEUR 0

Only private accident insurance pays, here EUR 11,000. The sports insurance would only pay from 15 percent.

Why a fall on the ice is covered

Under the model terms AUB 2020 an accident is an event acting suddenly on your body from outside that damages your health against your will. On the ice that is the impact. Cover applies worldwide and around the clock, so also on a frozen lake on holiday.

Ice skating is not among the model's exclusions. They mainly exclude accidents caused by disturbances of consciousness, as a pilot or in motor races. Still check your own terms if you play ice hockey in a club or skate in competitions.

Typical injuries and what counts

Anyone who falls on the ice tends to catch themselves with their hand. Private accident insurance pays according to the degree of lasting impairment, measured by the limb table (Gliedertaxe). The hand counts 55 percent, the foot 40 percent.

If a ligament tears because you catch yourself with force when slipping, that also counts as an accident if it was an increased exertion. The rule expressly does not cover meniscus and spinal discs. If a fracture heals fully within a year, there is no disability benefit, only what you added, such as a hospital daily allowance.

SituationStatutory accident insurancePrivate accident insurance
Skating in your free timenoyes
Skating in a school PE lessonyesyes
Club trainingno, but the sports federation's insuranceyes, unless excluded
Falling through the ice and drowningonly at school or workyes, clause 1.4.3

Statutory cover only at school, university and work

Statutory accident insurance protects pupils while attending school, which includes PE lessons at the ice rink. Children in day care and students are also covered within their institution. Employees are covered while working, for example staff at an ice rink.

A Sunday session, an evening at the rink with friends and the family outing to the lake are leisure time. Statutory accident insurance then pays nothing, and health insurance only covers treatment.

Club members: sports insurance is rarely enough

Members of sports clubs are usually insured through a contract of their state sports federation. In North Rhine Westphalia this sports insurance pays a disability benefit only from a degree of 15 percent, up to EUR 200,000 in particularly severe cases. In case of death it pays EUR 12,000 for adults and EUR 6,000 for children and teenagers.

The benefit comes on top of your own accident insurance. Minor lasting harm such as a slightly stiff wrist gets no money there. And the sports insurance covers club sport, not free skating at the weekend.

Liability if another skater knocks you over

If another skater knocks you over through their fault, they owe you damages and pain and suffering. Their personal liability insurance pays if they are at fault and you can show it. Note names and witnesses while still on the ice.

Private accident insurance pays regardless of fault. You do not need a second policy for winter: if you already have accident insurance, ice skating is normally included.

Step by step

  1. See a doctor after the fall, even if it only seems sprained.
  2. Note names of witnesses and of any other skater involved.
  3. Report the accident to your insurer, for club sport also through the club.
  4. For school sport tell the school, which reports to the accident fund.
  5. Have any disability certified and claim it within 15 months.

Checklist

  • Private accident insurance in place with a suitable basic sum
  • No exclusions for ice hockey or competitions if you do them
  • Hospital daily allowance or accident pension if wanted
  • Personal liability insurance for harm you cause others
  • Helmet for children and beginners

Common mistakes

  • Relying on the club's sports insurance, which only pays from 15 percent
  • Not reporting because the fracture seems to heal well
  • Missing the 15 month deadline for disability
  • Assuming a meniscus injury without a fall is covered

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Do I need extra insurance for ice skating?

No, if you have private accident insurance.

The model terms do not exclude skating.

Is my child covered when skating with the school?

Yes, in PE lessons and school events through statutory accident insurance.

Not in leisure time.

Does health insurance pay after a fall on the ice?

It pays the treatment.

It does not pay a lump sum for lasting harm.

What about ice hockey?

The model terms have no exclusion for ice hockey.

Some tariffs restrict competitive sport, so read the exclusions in your policy.

Who pays if another skater knocks me over?

If they are at fault, their personal liability insurance;

your accident insurance pays in addition and regardless of fault.

Am I covered if I fall through the ice on a lake?

Yes, involuntary drowning under water is expressly an accident under the model terms.

Sources

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