Exportkreditversicherungen

Exportkreditversicherung, often called export credit insurance, is a financial risk management tool that protects exporters and lenders against losses from selling goods or services to international customers on credit. It can be provided by government-supported export credit agencies (ECAs) or by private insurers; many markets use a mix, sometimes with reinsurance from public agencies. Coverage generally protects against two broad risk categories: commercial risks (customer insolvency, protracted default) and political risks (government actions that affect the ability to collect, war, currency transfer restrictions, or nationalization).

Policies may cover individual transactions or an entire seller’s receivables portfolio and can be tailored to the term of the sale. Typical terms range from short-term coverage (up to 12 months) for standard goods and export finance, to medium and long-term cover (one to 15+ years) for capital goods, infrastructure, or large projects. Premiums reflect the risk profile, including the buyer country, buyer creditworthiness, and the duration of credit granted. The insurer may also provide advisory services and facilitate finance by banks, which can use the policy to extend loans to buyers.

Export credit insurance serves to mitigate the risk of non-payment and, in turn, enable exporters to compete more effectively in international markets. It is often part of broader export financing strategies and can be subject to international guidelines and domestic policy considerations. Governments may use ECAs to support national industries, which can attract debate over subsidies and market distortions.