– How the release leads to the thwarting of evidence and denial of benefits -. Evidence thwarting by the policyholder in the event of a claim Whoever starts to repair the damage after the so-called release by the insurer bears the risk of not being able to prove the amount of damage later on. […]
Artikel zum Thema: Duty to consult
No obligation to provide information on taxes and social security contributions on occupational pensions
The Federal Labour Court (BAG, ruling of 18.02.2020, Ref. 3 AZR 206/18) decided that an employer did not owe compensation for damages simply because he had not correctly informed about social insurance contribution obligations at an information event, and simply because he did not even address the topic of social insurance. Then he did […]
Supermarkets are pushing into insurance sales
Policy sale next to the deposit machine? Why not! Lawyer Johannes Fiala and actuary Peter A. Schramm explain how discounters and full-range retailers could circumvent the strict rules for insurance brokerage. Insurance intermediaries have to face growing competition from online comparison portals and brokers as well as direct insurers. Tech giants like Google and […]
Compensation claim: house, apartment and land owners are liable for damages caused by commissioned craftsmen
The Federal Court of Justice (BGH, ruling of 09.02.2018, ref. V ZR 311/16) decided that a property owner who has a craftsman carry out repair work on the house is responsible – i.e. liable – to the neighbour. In the present case, the house had burned down after roofing work due to an embers nest […]

Reduction of life insurance: No information obligation for life insurers on reduction possibilities
Members of the German Bundestag asked: “What legal obligations do life insurance companies have to inform their customers about the possibility of reducing claims before the contract is concluded, and what is the practice of life insurance policies as established by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin)? The answer of the Federal Government of […]
Rürup pension: Frequent false advice from brokers
– When incomplete advice enables the complete reversal – The OLG Saarbrücken (judgement of 26.02.2014, file no. 5 U 64/13) decided that the insurance broker has to point out the differences between the Rürup or basic pension and other models of a flexible private pension (already: OLG Stuttgart, in: VersR 2007, 1069). For example, information […]
Private health insurance (PKV) must advise on medical euthanasia
– How a responsible private health insurance achieves stable contributions – A physician began his lecture on the subject of “Patient Will” with the words: “So, all those of you who are insured by the statutory health insurance (GKV) can now leave the hall – you will be left to die, because the GKV only […]
Why the broker is almost always liable for underinsurance
In a guest article, Dr. Johannes Fiala and Peter Schramm explain why brokers should keep a close eye on the sum insured of their customers even after the contract has been concluded. The OLG Stuttgart (ruling of 30.03.2011, file no. 3 U 192/10) sentenced a commercial broker after a claim for seven-digit underinsurance in building […]
Insurance brokers are liable for missing documentation even if they have given correct advice
– As the broker also has duties of protection against third parties – A recent ruling of the Higher Regional Court of Cologne of 26.02.2016 (Case No. 20 U 102/15) underlines the “obligation of the broker to inform the policyholder that the intended change to private health insurance (PKV) may affect the insurance cover […]
Comment: The (correct) tariff change in the PKV
With every premium adjustment in private health insurance the additional benefits are calculated according to the increasing age reached, in line with the statutory calculation guidelines. This is in line with the model of private health insurers, whose premiums at an advanced age can already amount to more than EUR 1,000 per month. One comment. […]