Business insurance in Germany: decide what your company should review

Business insurance should follow the work a company actually performs. A consultancy, restaurant, building contractor and transport company can share the same postcode and still need very different protection. The useful starting point is therefore a clear description of activities, assets, people and contractual responsibilities.

Business liability

Liability cover can respond when insured business activities cause injury, property damage or certain resulting financial losses. The policy must accurately describe the work carried out. Activities at customer premises, subcontractors, keys, rented property and environmental exposures may require specific wording.

Contents and business interruption

Furniture, tools, machines, stock and technical equipment can be exposed to fire, water, burglary or other insured events. The insured value and the basis of settlement should match the actual business assets. If property damage could stop trading, review whether business interruption cover and its indemnity period fit the likely recovery time.

Vehicles, cyber risk and legal expenses

A company with several suitable vehicles may benefit from a fleet structure, but vehicle types, use, authorised drivers and claims history affect the terms. Cyber cover should be considered alongside basic security and a response plan; insurance cannot replace access controls, backups or staff training. Commercial legal-expenses cover also has defined modules, waiting periods and exclusions.

Employee benefits

A workplace pension or employee health scheme can support recruitment and retention. Keep these arrangements separate from core property and liability risks, and check eligibility, employer costs, administration and what happens when an employee leaves.

Prepare these facts before comparing cover

• Activities, turnover, legal form and locations
• Employees, subcontractors and work at customer sites
• Equipment, stock, machinery and vehicles
• Existing policies, limits and recent claims
• Contracts that transfer liability or require specific cover

The goal is not to collect as many policies as possible. It is to identify the losses the company could not comfortably absorb and then check whether the proposed wording covers those risks.

Start with the business insurance overview or go directly to business liability.