“Do I have to sign this now?” The honest answer: never on the spot. German law gives you a whole set of rights when you take out insurance – from the first conversation to a dispute over a claim.
1. Initial information: who is sitting opposite you?
At the first business contact every intermediary must hand you an initial information sheet (Erstinformation) (§ 15 VersVermV): name and address, status – broker (works for you), agent (works for insurers) or fee-based adviser –, register number, how he is paid (commission, fee or both), holdings of more than 10 % in an insurer, and the arbitration body. Check any intermediary free of charge at vermittlerregister.info. The roles are explained in Broker, agent, adviser; mine is at Erstinformation.
2. Advice and written record
The intermediary must ask about your wishes and needs, recommend a solution, explain why and document it before you sign (§§ 61, 62 VVG). You may waive this only by a separate written declaration – and may lose damage claims by doing so (§ 63 VVG). Never waive it.
3. Documents from the insurer
Before you sign, the insurer must provide the conditions, consumer information and – for consumers – a short product information document (§ 7 VVG, § 4 VVG-InfoV). Read at least that.
4. Withdrawal
| Contract | Period | Law |
|---|---|---|
| All insurance policies | 14 days | § 8 VVG |
| Life and pension insurance | 30 days | § 152 VVG |
The period starts only once you have all documents including a correct withdrawal notice. No reason is needed, text form is enough, sending in time suffices. It expires at the latest after 12 months and 14 days (life insurance: 24 months and 30 days, since June 2026).
5. Duty of disclosure
Answer every question asked in text form truthfully (§ 19 VVG). Wrong answers given intentionally or with gross negligence allow the insurer to withdraw; simple negligence only allows cancellation with one month’s notice or a contract adjustment – and only if the insurer warned you separately in text form. These rights expire after five years (ten for intent or fraud, § 21 VVG).
6. Disputes: free help
- Insurance Ombudsman: binding on the insurer up to €10,000 complaint value, a recommendation up to €100,000, non-binding against intermediaries. Free; claims against the insurer do not become time-barred during the procedure.
- PKV Ombudsman: private health and care insurance, free, non-binding.
- BaFin (§ 4b FinDAG): checks supervisory rules, decides no individual case.
- Courts remain open at any time.
7. Your data
Ask any insurer or intermediary which data they hold about you (Art. 15 GDPR): answer within one month, first copy free (Art. 12 GDPR).
8. Changing your broker
A broker agreement can be cancelled at any time without reasons (§ 627 BGB); the power of attorney can be revoked. Your policies continue unchanged; the new broker informs the insurers (portfolio transfer).
How to proceed
- Ask for the initial information and check the register.
- Read the advice record before signing.
- File all documents with the date received.
- Answer health questions from records, not memory.
- In a dispute: object in writing, then the ombudsman.
General information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Sources: German Insurance Contract Act (§§ 7, 8, 19, 21, 61–63, 152 VVG), § 15 VersVermV, § 4 VVG-InfoV, § 627 BGB, Art. 12 and 15 GDPR, § 4b FinDAG, Versicherungsombudsmann e. V. (brochure 9/2026), Federal Government, consumer advice centres – as of October 2026. Unsure whether everything was done correctly when you signed? Get in touch.
