Berufsunfähigkeits

Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung, often abbreviated as Berufsunfähigkeits (BU), is a type of income protection insurance that provides financial support if an insured person cannot continue to work due to illness or injury. It is designed to replace a portion of the pre‑death income that would otherwise be lost because of permanent or long‑term incapacity to perform one’s professional duties.

The core purpose of a BU contract is to mitigate the risk of economic hardship caused by a prolonged decline in earnings capability. Typically, payouts are issued as a monthly benefit that is calculated as a percentage of the insured’s gross income, commonly between 60 % and 80 %. The claim period is usually capped at a fixed number of years, often five to ten years, after which the benefit ceases despite ongoing incapacity.

Eligibility rules vary among insurers but generally require a medical assessment to confirm that the person would not be able to perform the essential tasks of their current occupation. The required waiting period, or “Antragslaufzeit”, can range from a few weeks to several months; a longer waiting period often leads to lower premiums. Premiums are determined by factors such as age, gender, occupation risk, health status, and coverage amount.

DIN 13060 is a de facto technical standard that many insurers use to define “berufsunfähig” individuals. Consistent with this standard, an applicant must demonstrate that their health condition prevents them from fulfilling their professional role or that they experience persistent incapacity that lasts at least six months. Some contracts employ a “total’im” or “haltungsfrei” clause that may pay benefits even if the condition does not fully match the definition, providing broader protection.

A comprehensive BU contract is an essential component of many German retirement and risk‑management plans, especially for self‑employed persons or employees in high‑risk professions. It offers a safety net that safeguards both the individual’s financial stability and their long‑term career prospects.