If you have to leave your job before reaching retirement age due to illness or accident, you face a big problem: The statutory pension insurance only pays all those born after 1961 their mini-pension if they are completely unable to work.

Consequence: As a person affected, you will only receive the meagre state benefits if you are virtually no longer able to work. If you could theoretically still do some kind of work - even if it is less well-paid - you will be left empty-handed.

You must therefore protect yourself from financial collapse in the event of an accident or illness - ideally with a private occupational disability insurance policy. But which policy is the right one? What do you have to consider when taking out a policy? How high should the pension be in case of an emergency? On this website you will find some initial answers.

Pension in the event of occupational disability
The most important benefit of occupational disability insurance is the monthly pension - from the time you can no longer work due to an accident or illness.

Often, insured persons become only partially incapacitated for work - full pension benefits are therefore already available for an occupational disability of less than 100 percent.

The insurer also helps with reintegration into working life, for example, by adapting the workplace to the needs of the disabled, through one-off payments at the end of a temporary occupational disability or through assistance services that go beyond financial aid - such as the planning of rehabilitation measures.

Financial protection in case of increasing need
Through dynamisation - i.e. regular increases in pension entitlements and premiums - you can adapt your occupational disability cover to rising living costs and growing financial needs.

If a subsequent insurance guarantee was agreed when you took out the contract, you can increase the existing protection, for example, in the event of marriage, the birth of a child or the purchase of real estate without a new health check, so that any subsequent occupational disability pension will meet your increased financial needs.

Occupational disability insurance is not only needed by working people. In order to have secure protection in case of an emergency, it is also advisable for pupils, trainees, housewives and students to take out occupational disability insurance.

Important here: You should secure occupational disability cover while you are still young and not impaired in health. Insurance companies often reject applications even with minor pre-existing conditions or offer you less favourable conditions.

Hardly anyone wants to deal with the thought of no longer being able to exercise their profession at a young age. But after all, about one in four working people becomes incapacitated before retirement, be it due to an accident or a serious illness. So find out in good time about suitable precautionary measures!

Since 1 January 2001, all employed persons born after 1961 no longer receive payments from the statutory pension insurance in the event of occupational disability. Instead, the reduced earning capacity pension was introduced, to which, however, only those who can no longer perform any work for three hours a day are entitled. Moreover, the state benefits are so low that they can in no way protect you and your family from the financial crash.

Comprehensive protection, low premiums
The cost of occupational disability insurance is determined by various factors - the insurer's range of benefits and your personal risk of becoming prematurely unable to work.

Comprehensive occupational disability cover is cheaper for office workers than for building tradesmen or teachers because of their lower health risk. A policy that provides benefits only in the event of total disability can be had for less money than one that pays out immediately in the event of occupational disability, even if you could still work in another profession.

It is not only the price that is decisive in deciding which is the best occupational disability insurance for you. The insurance conditions are also of central importance. Get advice: Especially when it comes to the benefits, you should have them carefully checked to see which insurance is right for you.

Secure low premiums
If you make provisions at a young age, you can secure low premiums and avoid benefit exclusions due to pre-existing conditions. You can compare the offers at your leisure.

You should not only pay attention to the price, but also to the contract conditions: Instead of a contract exclusion for certain illnesses, you should better accept a premium surcharge and agree with the insurer in black and white that the additional amount will be waived again after the illness is cured.

Your occupation should also remain the criterion for the recognition of occupational disability during a possible parental leave, because as a housewife or househusband you are only protected to a limited extent.

Do not calculate too tightly
Your contract should not expire too early, because in many cases you only become occupationally disabled at the age of 50. The occupational disability pension should also not be too tightly calculated. The rule of thumb is: 75 percent of the net income at the age of 45. The policy should provide for the possibility of increasing the insurance without a new health check, so that the pension can be easily adjusted, for example, in the event of later marriage or the birth of children.

Important: The insurer's health questions must always be answered truthfully; false statements may result in the loss of insurance cover.

How do I find the right occupational disability cover? Decide calmly

If you have decided to take out private cover for your personal occupational disability risk, you will be confronted with a large number of providers with an almost unmanageable number of products and tariffs and a wide range of prices and benefits.

You should therefore not make a hasty decision in favour of a specific occupational disability insurance policy. Taking out occupational disability insurance online without expert advice is not recommended - the subject is complex and there are many details to consider.

Therefore, seek advice in order to analyse your personal risk situation and compare the abundance of tariffs on offer.