# An insurance broker in Germany, explained for newcomers

> In Germany, an insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler) is legally on the customer's side, not the insurer's. We compare policies from several insurers, explain the small print in plain English and help when you make a claim. You pay the same premium as buying direct, because the broker is paid by the insurer.

Quelle/Source: https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker.php

## How much does insurance cost in Germany?

It depends on a handful of facts: where you live, your age, your job, previous claims, the sum insured and the excess you choose. With those, quotes can be compared fairly. The cheapest quote is rarely the best value, though, because a policy that excludes your actual risk costs you everything when it matters. That is why a broker asks what you need first and prices it second.

### Do I actually need this insurance?

Insure first what could ruin you: liability towards others, which is unlimited under German law, loss of income through illness, and your home if you own it. Small losses you can pay yourself do not need a policy. Our life situation guide shows what matters for you.

### What exactly is covered?

The policy schedule and the general terms (Versicherungsbedingungen) decide, not the brochure. Look at exclusions, limits on specific losses and your duties as policyholder, known as Obliegenheiten. We translate the German terms before you sign.

### Will the insurer really pay?

If the loss is covered and you met your duties, yes. Disputes usually start in three places: wrong answers on the application, late reporting, and exclusions nobody read. All three can be avoided at the start.

### Does a broker cost extra?

No, not normally. The broker's commission, called Courtage, is built into the premium and paid by the insurer. Brokers in Germany are not allowed to pass commission on to customers as a discount, so the price of a given policy is the same.

### How do I get out of an old contract?

Most German policies run for a year and renew automatically unless cancelled three months before the end. You can also cancel after a premium increase and after a claim. We find the earliest date and cancel only once new cover is in place.

## How brokers are paid in Germany

Commission is the norm. The insurer pays the broker out of the premium you would pay anyway. You do not receive a separate bill, and the premium for a given policy is the same as through an agent or online.

The alternative is fee-based advice. A Versicherungsberater registered under § 34d(2) of the Trade Regulation Act is paid only by the client and may not keep payments from insurers. This mostly makes sense for large pension or life contracts, where net-of-commission versions exist.

Before any contract we tell you in writing how we are paid. German law requires this in the initial information document, and it belongs in an honest relationship.

## What a broker cannot do

Some insurers sell only direct and do not work with brokers, for example HUK24 and Allianz Direct. We cannot arrange those policies. We still mention them where relevant so you see the whole market.

We are not lawyers or tax advisers. We explain policy terms and represent you towards the insurer. Legal action and the tax treatment of pensions, including what happens when you leave Germany, belong with those professions.

We cannot promise a price before the insurer quotes, and the insurer decides whether to accept you, especially where health questions apply.

For boat and yacht insurance we are not a broker but an underwriting agency (Assekuradeur): we write and settle those policies on behalf of insurers. It is a different role, so we say so.

## Every type of insurance we place

- [Personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-personal-liability.php): Do I really need personal liability insurance in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/privathaftpflicht.md)
- [Contents insurance in Germany (Hausratversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-contents-insurance.php): Do I need contents insurance as a renter in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/hausrat.md)
- [Buildings insurance in Germany (Wohngebäudeversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-buildings-insurance.php): Is buildings insurance mandatory in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/wohngebaeude.md)
- [Natural hazard cover in Germany (Elementarschadenversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-natural-hazards.php): Is flood insurance included in German home insurance? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/elementarschaden.md)
- [Solar panel insurance in Germany (Photovoltaikversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-solar-panel-insurance.php): Does my German buildings insurance cover my solar panels? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/photovoltaik.md)
- [Self-build insurance for homeowners in Germany (Bauherrenversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-self-build-insurance.php): What insurance do I need to build a house in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/bauherren.md)
- [Car insurance in Germany (liability, partial and fully comprehensive)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-car-insurance.php): Can I use my no-claims bonus from abroad in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/kfz.md)
- [Bicycle and e-bike insurance in Germany](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-bicycle-insurance.php): Is my bike covered by my German contents insurance? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/fahrrad-ebike.md)
- [Travel insurance in Germany (travel health, cancellation, luggage)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-travel-insurance.php): Which travel insurance do I need if I live in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/reise.md)
- [Drone insurance in Germany (liability and hull cover)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-drone-insurance.php): Do I need insurance to fly a drone in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/drohne.md)
- [Dog and horse liability insurance in Germany (Tierhalterhaftpflicht)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-pet-liability.php): Is dog liability insurance compulsory in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/tierhalterhaftpflicht.md)
- [Pet health insurance for dogs and cats in Germany](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-pet-health-insurance.php): Is pet insurance worth it in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/tierkranken.md)
- [Legal expenses insurance in Germany (Rechtsschutzversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-legal-expenses.php): Do I need legal expenses insurance in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/rechtsschutz.md)
- [Personal accident insurance (private Unfallversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-accident-insurance.php): Do I need private accident insurance if I already have health insurance in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/unfall.md)
- [Occupational disability insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-occupational-disability.php): Do I need occupational disability insurance if I have just moved to Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/berufsunfaehigkeit.md)
- [Term life insurance (Risikolebensversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-term-life.php): How much term life cover do I need in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/risikoleben.md)
- [Funeral insurance (Sterbegeldversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-funeral-insurance.php): Who pays for a funeral in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/sterbegeld.md)
- [Private pension insurance in Germany](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-private-pension.php): Should I take out a German private pension if I might leave Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/private-rente.md)
- [Private health insurance in Germany (PKV)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-private-health-insurance.php): Should I choose public or private health insurance in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/private-krankenversicherung.md)
- [Supplementary health insurance in Germany](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-supplementary-health.php): What does German public health insurance not cover? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/krankenzusatz.md)
- [Dental insurance in Germany](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-dental-insurance.php): Is dental insurance worth it in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/zahnzusatz.md)
- [Long-term care insurance in Germany](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-long-term-care.php): Do I need private long-term care insurance in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/pflegezusatz.md)
- [Business liability insurance in Germany (Betriebshaftpflicht)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-liability.php): Is business liability insurance compulsory in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/betriebshaftpflicht.md)
- [Professional indemnity insurance in Germany (Berufshaftpflicht)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-professional-indemnity.php): Do I need professional indemnity insurance to work in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/berufshaftpflicht.md)
- [Directors and officers insurance in Germany (D&O)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-directors-and-officers.php): Can I be personally liable as managing director of a German GmbH? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/d-und-o.md)
- [Business legal expenses insurance in Germany (Firmenrechtsschutz)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-legal-expenses.php): What does business legal expenses insurance cover in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/firmenrechtsschutz.md)
- [Business contents insurance in Germany (Inhaltsversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-contents.php): Is business contents insurance required in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/inhaltsversicherung.md)
- [Commercial buildings insurance in Germany (Gebäudeversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-commercial-buildings.php): Do I need buildings insurance for a commercial property in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/gewerbegebaeude.md)
- [Business interruption insurance in Germany (Betriebsunterbrechungsversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-interruption.php): What does business interruption insurance pay in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/betriebsunterbrechung.md)
- [Electronic equipment insurance in Germany (Elektronikversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-electronic-equipment.php): Why do I need electronic equipment insurance if I have contents insurance? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/elektronik.md)
- [Machinery breakdown insurance in Germany](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-machinery-breakdown.php): Isn't machinery already covered by my business contents insurance? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/maschinen.md)
- [Contractors all risks insurance in Germany (Bauleistungsversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-contractors-all-risks.php): Do I need my own contractors all risks policy if the client already has one? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/bauleistung.md)
- [Cargo and transport insurance in Germany](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-cargo-insurance.php): Do I need cargo insurance if the haulier is liable anyway? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/transport.md)
- [Fleet insurance in Germany (Kfz-Flottenversicherung)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-fleet-insurance.php): From how many vehicles can I get fleet insurance in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/flotte.md)
- [Cyber insurance for businesses in Germany](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-cyber-insurance.php): Do I need cyber insurance for my company in Germany? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/cyber.md)
- [Trade credit insurance in Germany](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-trade-credit.php): Is trade credit insurance worth it for a German subsidiary or SME? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/warenkredit.md)
- [Company pension schemes in Germany (bAV)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-company-pension.php): Do German employers have to offer a company pension? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/bav.md)
- [Company health insurance in Germany (bKV)](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-company-health-insurance.php): Is company health insurance in Germany a tax-free benefit? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/bkv.md)
- [Group accident insurance for employees in Germany](https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-group-accident.php): Do my employees in Germany need group accident insurance if the Berufsgenossenschaft already covers them? (Markdown: https://www.nammert.com/md/makler/en/gruppenunfall.md)

## FAQ

### What is the difference between a broker and an insurance agent in Germany?

An agent (Versicherungsvertreter) works for one or a few insurers and sells their products. A broker (Versicherungsmakler) acts for the customer and must base advice on a sufficient range of offers. German courts describe the broker as the customer's trustee.

### Can I get advice in English?

Yes. Contracts and policy terms are usually in German and the German version is legally binding, but we explain them in English and handle correspondence with insurers for you.

### Is a broker liable for bad advice?

Yes. Under § 63 of the Insurance Contract Act an intermediary who breaches advice duties must compensate the resulting loss. Every broker must hold professional indemnity insurance to be licensed.

### How can I check whether a broker is licensed?

Search the German intermediary register at vermittlerregister.info. It shows whether someone is registered as broker, agent or fee-based adviser. Our registration number is on this page.

### Can I move existing policies to a broker without cancelling them?

Yes. You sign a broker mandate, and the insurer then services the contract through the broker. Premium, cover and term stay exactly the same.

### Can a German broker handle policies I keep from my home country?

We can review them and tell you whether they still work in Germany. Often they do not, for example home or motor cover tied to an address abroad. We cannot service contracts with insurers that are not active in Germany.

### What happens to my policies if I leave Germany?

It depends on the policy. Contents cover usually ends when you give up your German home and move abroad, other contracts run on until their normal end date unless the terms say otherwise. Private health insurance and long-term contracts need careful handling. Talk to us before you go.

### Does NAMMERT only insure boats?

No. For boats and yachts we are an underwriting agency. As a broker we cover individuals and businesses in all common lines, from personal liability to company pensions.

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NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act, broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. For boat and yacht insurance we act as underwriting agency, not as broker.

NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, Karl-Marx-Straße 4, 15711 Königs Wusterhausen, +49 3375 29 12 77, info@nammert.com. Wikidata: Q141141479.