Which insurance do security guards in Germany need?
In short
Which insurance security guards in Germany need: the employer must prove liability insurance for the business, and statutory accident insurance pays for injuries on duty. What remains is mainly legal cover including criminal law for accusations after self defence, where a lawyer often costs about 1,200 euros, and disability insurance that rates security work honestly.
Compulsory liability of the security company, bodily injury
at least 1,000,000 euros per claim
Simple criminal case at the local court, one hearing, average fees
about 1,200 euros including VAT
Criminal case with fee agreement and several hearings
about 1,200 to 2,000 euros
Legal cover, single, four modules
about 25 to 32 euros a month
Personal liability for a single person
about 40 to 120 euros a year
As of October 2026; minimum sums from the Security Services Ordinance,
lawyer costs from published sample calculations.
The higher rating of security work in disability and accident insurance is a guide value from our
quoting practice; we obtain the exact quote.
Worked example
Security guard, 29, site security and events
Liability and accidents on duty are handled by the employer and the law.
Legal cover with private, work and criminal law
about 25 to 32 euros a month
Disability or basic ability insurance
by rating, above office rates
Personal liability for free time
about 5 to 10 euros a month
Legal cover and liability together about 30 to 42 euros a month. We obtain the premium for income protection after an exact job description.
What a security company must insure
Under section 34a Trade Regulation Act, a security company needs a licence, and for that a liability insurance. The Security Services Ordinance requires at least 1 million euros for bodily injury and 250,000 euros for property damage per claim. The policy must also cover damage the company is answerable for through its staff.
For security guards this means damage to clients or third parties on duty goes through this business liability first. As an employee you need no professional liability of your own. Towards the employer you are liable only if you are at fault.
Risk in security work
Who pays first
What remains for you
Damage to clients or visitors
security company liability
recourse for gross fault
Injury during an operation
statutory accident insurance
gap to income after lasting harm
Criminal complaint after detaining someone
nobody
lawyer and court costs
Long term illness
reduced earning capacity pension if conditions are met
large gap to net pay
Accident in free time
nobody
private accident insurance
Criminal legal cover after self defence
Security guards who hold a shoplifter or fend off an attacker are often reported themselves. Self defence under section 32 Criminal Code is the defence required against a present unlawful attack; whether that was the case is often decided only in proceedings. You pay your own lawyer at first.
A simple case at the local court with one hearing costs about 1,200 euros at average fees, with a fee agreement and several hearings up to 2,000 euros. Under the model conditions, legal cover pays for an accusation of intent only retroactively if you are not convicted of intent, and not at all for a felony. Look for criminal cover that includes security work.
Disability insurance in security work
Night shifts, long standing, violence and mental strain make security work a higher risk for insurers. Premiums are therefore above office jobs, often well above 70 euros a month at 30 for a 1,500 euro pension.
If disability insurance is too expensive, basic ability insurance (Grundfähigkeitsversicherung), which pays when specific abilities are lost, can be an alternative. Describe your work precisely in the application, such as site security, patrols or events. Wrong answers put later payouts at risk.
Accident and liability cover in private life
Statutory accident insurance covers accidents on duty. Private accident insurance for security guards pays off mainly for free time. Some insurers rate security staff higher, so ask about the risk class.
Personal liability covers only free time and excludes work damage. It costs about 40 to 120 euros a year for single people.
What security guards usually do not need
Professional liability of your own is unnecessary for employed security staff, because the employer’s compulsory insurance covers the business. If you register a security business yourself, you need your own licence and insurance; see our separate pages on business types.
Step by step
Ask your employer about the business liability and what it covers.
Take out legal cover with criminal and employment modules, mind waiting periods.
Apply for disability or basic ability insurance with an exact job description.
Add personal liability and accident cover for free time.
Checklist
Briefing certificate or expert examination in hand
Employer liability known
Criminal legal cover for work accusations
Income protection despite a risk surcharge
Work described precisely in the application
Common mistakes
Buying professional liability as an employee
Choosing legal cover without criminal law
Stating only employee in a disability application instead of security work
Making statements after a complaint without a lawyer
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Do I need my own liability insurance for security work?
No.
The security company must prove liability insurance that also covers damage caused by staff.
Who pays if I am injured on duty?
Statutory accident insurance, as for any work accident.
Will legal cover pay after an assault complaint?
Under the model conditions only retroactively if you are not convicted of intent.
Check the criminal module carefully.
Is disability insurance more expensive for security guards?
Yes, security work is usually rated higher than office jobs.
Basic ability insurance can be cheaper.
What do I need if I go self employed?
Your own licence under the Trade Regulation Act and liability insurance at the prescribed level.
