His home trail gave Michael Klemme a leg up, or rather a root. The front wheel got stuck, locked up and a blink of an eye later he rammed his right shoulder into the forest floor. Klemme's head buzzed at first, then he felt a hellish pain. He gritted his teeth. "It's probably just a bruise," he reassured himself. Once he had freed himself from his jersey and gloves, the shock came: his shoulder was hanging and his right finger was sticking out to the side like a twig that had snapped. Then everything happened very quickly: emergency room, operation, later rehab.
A scenario that everyone knows - from friends or on their own body. Bike sport is not pocket billiards - accidents and injuries are part of it. But how calculable is the risk and how can you insure yourself against the consequences? Although statutory health insurance covers the costs of treatment, the account may remain empty in the event of long-term consequences or loss of working hours. Additional accident insurance is available from just under €20 per month. The benefits you receive depend on many factors. In principle, however, the person affected receives money. This does not make the bones grow together any faster, but it does make the pain more bearable.
"My wife urged me to take out accident insurance because I often fall. In hindsight, it turned out to be the right decision," explains Klemme. The insurance company paid him 1800 euros for the accident - especially for his finger, which has been slightly stiff ever since. "That made the situation a lot easier for me. After all, the fracture catapulted me out of work for a week - and that as a freelancer." Incidentally, his shoulder is working perfectly again. "If there was something wrong, the cash register would have rung. A mate of mine received 10,000 euros for his broken shoulder, as he has had slight movement restrictions ever since."
Even with 1800 euros in accident money, Michael still gets a bad feeling every time he rides his home trail. "When I ride past the root, I shift down a gear. No matter how good the accident insurance is."
Taking out bicycle insurance - but which one?
The variety of offers is enormous. Even the choice of insurer can be a seemingly insurmountable hurdle. Which provider offers the most favourable rates and what do I really need? You often have to compare many insurance policies until you find the perfect offer for you. A brief overview of the Variety of insurances shows Sascha Straub, an expert from the Bavarian Consumer Advice Centre. Straub explains what you should look out for in the insurance jungle and what the most important points are:
Accident insurance
Additional accident insurance is as much a part of the biker as the helmet. It guarantees lump-sum disability cover. This means that in the event of an accident resulting in injury, a certain amount is paid out. In the event of a complicated bone fracture, you may receive several thousand euros.
Occupational disability insurance
Occupational disability differs from incapacity for work in that occupational disability is a permanent condition, whereas incapacity for work is temporary. Anyone who is unable to work initially receives continued payment of wages from their employer (usually for six weeks), after six weeks they receive sickness benefit from their health insurance. In any case, you should also insure against possible occupational disability. Although you receive a one-off amount through the lump-sum disability cover provided by accident insurance, this is not enough if you are unable to work for a long time. The salary or pension is then compensated by the insurer. The sum insured is significantly higher than that of accident insurance.
Term life insurance
You should also think about the horror scenario. Fatal accidents happen again and again, especially in extreme sports, which includes biking. If you have term life insurance, your loved ones are at least financially protected.
Capital formation and risk protection separate. Otherwise you may lose your insurance cover when you have the money. In any case, you should seek advice from a specialist. The price and benefits of insurance policies depend on many factors, such as income, age and type of sport practised. In some cases, combinations of insurance policies are cheaper than individual policies.
You can also find the entire article as a PDF download below.
The fastest way to the right insurance
1. do I need one?
It depends on the type of sport practised. The more dangerous, the more important. As a biker, additional insurance is highly recommended.
2. what exactly do I need?
Liability insurance, accident insurance, occupational disability insurance and, depending on the risk, life insurance.
depending on the risk, life insurance.
3. accident insurance
Indispensable! If you are injured, private accident insurance covers the costs of
for recovery, hospitalisation and cosmetic surgery. The centrepiece is lump-sum disability cover. The insurance pays a lump sum or covers the costs incurred if you are unable to work. Problem: If you are unable to work for a long time, the sum insured is not sufficient.
4. occupational disability
If you are unable to work for a long time, the sum insured under your accident insurance may not be sufficient. This means that the account will be empty at some point. That's why you should take out occupational disability insurance. The sum insured is significantly higher and protects you financially for the rest of your life.
5. life insurance
Precautions against the horror scenario. In the event of injuries that lead to death, family members are financially protected.
6. liability
Anyone who causes damage to others is liable for it. And for life, even with private assets. Private liability insurance covers the damage. Be careful when taking part in races! Many insurance policies exclude this from liability. Therefore: Don't hide anything and ask, then you're on the safe side!
7. what will it cost me?
The price and benefits depend on many factors. Additional insurance is available for little money. However, you should not skimp on the sum insured. But then the costs can add up to several hundred euros a year.
8 Is counselling useful?
Even essential. There are price differences of up to 200 %. The price is customised. The consumer centres of the federal states provide independent advice free of charge: www.consumer advice centre
.deor directly to the insurance agent.
9. advantages in the club
If you are a member of a club that is affiliated to the BDR, you automatically receive internal liability and accident cover. Caution: The insurance cover only applies to journeys in connection with the club, i.e. not in your free time.
10. theft
Even the best insurance is useless without a bike. Standard household contents insurance covers the bike in the event of theft, but only up to a certain amount. The value of the bike often significantly exceeds this amount. So it's better to take out additional insurance!
