The disability clause (DU clause) in disability insurance is what tips the scales for civil servants in an emergency. Real or fake, that is the question. “A civil servant who is unable to work is not necessarily already unable to work,” says Philip Wenzel from the insurance broker BSC Neutrale Allfinanz-Vermittlung, which specializes in the target group of civil servants and is also active with the end customer portal Worksurance. When choosing the BU policy, civil servants should therefore not only pay attention to stable contributions with good performance, but also to the fact that DU is used.
If civil servants are permanently unable to fulfill their official duties for health reasons, they “can” be declared unfit for work by their employer. The employer is largely free to decide when to pronounce incapacity. Unlike disability (BU), disability (DU) does not require a specific degree of disability. “If the employer makes a generous decision, it is an advantage if the private BU insurer agrees with his judgement; in the opposite case, the application of the BU concept would be advantageous,” explains Michael Franke, head of the analysis company Franke and Bornberg.
Only a few BU insurers with DU clauses
According to the Federal Statistical Office, 16 percent of the 63,500 newly retired people retired in 2019 because of DU. The average age was almost 57 years. According to Franke and Bornberg, only 20 companies currently offer DU clauses: Allianz, Bayern-Versicherung, Condor, DBV, Debeka, die Bayerische, Ergo Vorsorge, Generali, Hanse Merkur, HUK-Coburg, LVM, Nürnberger, Verkehr Braunschweig, Provinzial Rheinland, R+V, Signal Iduna, Universa, VRK (insurers in the area of churches), Württembergische and WWK.
“You can recognize a good DU clause by the fact that it actually offers insured persons a simplified acknowledgment of benefits,” says Franke. Some insurers even waive their own right to check if an employer has determined the DU. If this is the case, there is a “genuine” or at least “partially genuine” DU clause. Restricted means: The insurer only recognizes a DU for health reasons, so it can at least check this fact.
Why a “fake” DU clause is bad
On the other hand, a “false” DU clause is bad. Then, in addition to the existence of DU, the insurer may also check whether the impairment is the cause of the non-fulfillment of the official duty. “Thus, an insurer can come to a different assessment of the employer, which may mean that no benefits are provided,” says Franke. Despite the certificates, the insurer still reserves its own right to check (as with a BU), but has the burden of proof that a DU does not exist if the civil servant has submitted the retirement and the medical certificate (unlike with a BU).
Franke and Bornberg has listed 13 insurers with “real” or “limited real” DU clause and with the same pension amount. Allianz, DBV, Bayerische and Signal Iduna fared best – see table.
Source: Franke and Bornberg; Status: June 2022
The analysis company thus confirms the results of the research by FONDS professional, which appeared in issue 01/2022 with the help of insurance broker Philip Wenzel. In an analysis, Wenzel highlighted these providers (in alphabetical order): Allianz, Condor, DBV and Bayerische (“Comfort” tariff). “But nobody should overestimate the DU clause, because it simplifies the benefit case, but an overall high-performance BU policy is more important,” Wenzel advises his colleagues.
A flood of good reviews at Morgen & Morgen
The analysis company Morgen & Morgen (M&M) also evaluated DU offers in June. As is so often the case with M&M, there was a veritable flood of top ratings. 15 of the 22 tariffs from 18 insurers received the top five-star rating. “We attach great importance to a ‘genuine’ DU clause in the rating,” says Andreas Ludwig, Head of Rating & Analysis. The quality of the conditions was evaluated. “Prices don’t play a role – the intermediary must of course include them in the consultation,” Ludwig continues. Higher condition quality usually goes hand in hand with higher premiums.
The top ratings of four and five stars at M&M require three minimum criteria: It must be a “real” DU clause, it must be complete (i.e. also apply to civil servants on probation or revoked), and the insurer must be unusual waive restrictions. (dpo)
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