Vorsicht vor fatalen Fehlern bei der Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung | Marktcheck SWR

Disability insurance, a costly policy, is meant to protect against a potentially devastating risk. But all too often, there are unpleasant surprises. We explain what to consider when taking out a policy – ​​and what to look out for in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Disability insurance is meant to protect against a potentially devastating risk. It's a costly policy, but it can also lead to unpleasant surprises. ... This video is an excerpt from the broadcast of March 2, 2021, see:    • Video   ► More information about the program on our website: http://www.swr.de/marktcheck ► and on our Facebook page:   / marktcheck   ► Subscribe to our channel here: https://bit.ly/34ebysh ► Find out more about the Eco Checkers on Instagram:   / oekochecker   ► Comments are welcome – but please observe our netiquette guidelines: http://www.swr.de/netiquette WHAT DISTINGUISHES AGENTS, AGENTS, AND BROKERAGE INSTRUCTIONS? INSURANCE AGENTS AND AGENTS: These are affiliated with a specific insurance company and receive a commission from them for each policy sold. They are considered the eyes and ears of an insurance company. Their mistakes are clearly the responsibility of the insurance company. INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADVISORS: Receive their fees from the insurance clients. The insurance company is not responsible for their mistakes; they are responsible for their own. INSURANCE BROKERS: Arrange insurance policies for various companies. They do not work for insurers but on behalf of the policyholders and can obtain information anonymously. Nevertheless, they are not allowed to call themselves independent, as they receive commissions from the insurers. Therefore, they generally have a strong incentive to close a deal, which can lead to a higher risk of fraud. The broker's mistakes are the responsibility of the insured. TIPS: Invest in advice from independent insurance advisors. Ask insurance brokers about their professional liability insurance. WHAT HAPPENS IF A BROKERS MAKE A MISTAKE? If you take out disability insurance through a broker, they will forward your information—such as pre-existing medical conditions—to the insurance company. Should the insurer discover false information within 10 years, they can invoke fraudulent misrepresentation, refuse benefits, and terminate the contract. As a customer, you would also not be entitled to a refund of premiums paid in the case of incomplete or false information. This is because the actions of brokers are generally considered to fall within the policyholder's sphere of influence. If the broker's misconduct can be proven, damages can be claimed from them. However, this claim is subject to a three-year statute of limitations. TIPS: Request copies of your information from the insurance company for review when concluding the contract. Obtain information from your health insurance provider about all reported illnesses. MUST DISABILITY INSURANCE PAY IF I CAN NO LONGER WORK DUE TO LATE CONSEQUENCES OF CORONAVIRUS? Currently, yes, because there is (still) no exclusion of risk for pandemics. Covid-19 is therefore no exception. CAN THE INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSE ME TO USE A NEW CONTRACT BECAUSE I HAVE CORONAVIRUS? Yes, because freedom of contract applies. Insurers emphasize that Covid-19 itself is not grounds for rejection, but long-term Covid-19 could become one. Anyone who has already contracted Covid-19 should therefore expect rejections or higher premiums. WHEN AM I ACTUALLY CONSIDERED UNABLE TO WORK? The 50% rule applies: You are considered unable to work if a doctor predicts that, due to illness, you will only be able to work a maximum of 50% of your previous working hours in the long term (at least six months). CAN THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEMAND THAT I CONTINUE TO WORK IN MY JOB, EVEN IF I'M IN PAIN? Pain does not automatically entitle you to a disability pension. As long as the pain is diffuse and its cause unclear, proof must be provided, e.g., by demonstrating: physical causes psychological or psychosomatic triggers chronic pain CAN MY INSURANCE COMPANY DEBIT BENEFITS IF THERE ARE THEORETICALLY SUITABLE JOB OFFERS FOR ME ON THE LABOR MARKET? This is only possible if the insurance contract contains an abstract reference clause. ABSTRACT REFERENCE: The insurer does not have to pay disability benefits if the insured person could theoretically work in an equivalent job based on their knowledge and skills. CONCRETE REFERENCE: The insurer will discontinue benefits if the disabled person actually takes up a new, comparable occupation. WHAT TO DO IF SOMETHING WENT WRONG WHEN I TAKEN OUT MY DISABILITY INSURANCE? Contact the insurance ombudsman and, in serious cases, consult a specialist lawyer for insurance law. Authors: Sigrid Born, Angelika Scheffler-Ronen Image source: Unsplash/Nik Shuliahin #OccupationalDisability #DisabilityInsurance #HealthQuestions