Accident insurance whilst volunteering

Accidents can also happen whilst volunteering – either whilst carrying out the activity or on the way there.

Accident insurance protects against the financial consequences if, for example, an accident results in treatment, rescue or rehabilitation costs.

The level of cover depends on the nature of the work and the organisational structure. This page provides an overview. For definitive information, please contact the relevant department or the volunteering co-ordination team.

Key terms explained briefly

Subsidiary

‘Subsidiary’ means: secondary. The insurance therefore only applies if no other insurance cover exists, or if the existing cover is insufficient.

Rescue costs

Rescue costs are the costs incurred in rescuing people from emergency situations, for example through a helicopter operation in the mountains or a water rescue.

Disability

Disability refers to a permanent physical or mental impairment resulting from an accident. The degree of impairment determines which benefits are paid.

Incapacity for work

Incapacity for work means that a person is permanently unable to carry out their occupation, or can no longer carry it out to the full, for health reasons. This applies regardless of whether the cause is an accident or an illness.

What types are there?

Depending on where and how you volunteer, different accident cover applies. The tabs below show the different types available and which one applies to you.

Statutory accident insurance Voluntary insurance upon application State Framework Agreement Private pensions

Statutory accident insurance under Section 2 of Book VII of the Social Code (SGB VII) automatically covers many volunteers in various areas of voluntary work. This cover is provided by law and requires no application. Among others, the following are insured:

Volunteers in emergency services and civil protection (Section 2(1)(12) of Book VII of the Social Code)
Volunteers in social welfare and healthcare (e.g. German Red Cross, Caritas, Diakonie, AWO) (Section 2(1)(9) of Book VII of the Social Code)
Volunteers working for public-law bodies, institutions or foundations, as well as on behalf of or with the express consent of local authorities, e.g. municipalities (Section 2(1)(10)(a) of Book VII of the Social Code)
Volunteers working for religious communities governed by public law and their institutions (Section 2(1)(10)(b) of Book VII of the Social Code); educational institutions are included if they are governed by public law or operate on behalf of a local authority.

Whether you are covered by statutory insurance in your field and which specific body is responsible must be assessed on a case-by-case basis and depends on your area of work and the nature of your activities. It is best to clarify this in consultation with the relevant authority or your volunteer co-ordinator.

Further details can be found in the guide “For your safety” published by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Elected or appointed volunteers in charitable organisations are not automatically covered by statutory accident insurance. However, they may take out voluntary insurance upon application (Section 6(1)(3) of Book VII of the Social Code). The application may also be submitted by the organisation itself or by an association of which the organisation is a member; in such cases, it is not necessary to specify the names of the insured persons.

This voluntary insurance must be actively applied for; it does not come into effect automatically. The premiums are usually paid by the organisation.

In Baden-Württemberg, enquiries regarding voluntary insurance can be addressed directly to the Baden-Württemberg Accident Insurance Fund (UKBW).

For volunteers who are not otherwise covered, the State of Baden-Württemberg has taken out collective accident insurance policies.

Cover is provided exclusively for individuals working within informal structures: spontaneous initiatives, temporary campaigns and projects, as well as groups and initiatives without a legal status.

An important difference compared with public liability insurance is that the state’s accident insurance cover also applies to volunteers in clubs and associations. If private accident insurance with lower levels of cover is already in place, the difference is made up under the state policy.

Further information and contact details can be found in the brochure published by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Social Affairs.

In the event of a claim or if you have any questions regarding the state’s insurance cover:
Ecclesia Versicherungsdienst GmbH,
Eichwiesenring 1/1,
70567 Stuttgart,
telephone 0711 615533-265,
email ehrenamt@ecclesia.de.

Statutory accident cover is neither available round the clock nor does it provide unrestricted cover abroad. Anyone wishing to be fully covered should take out private insurance.

Private accident insurance provides cover for accidents in all aspects of daily life, including outside of work, at home and abroad. In the event of disability, a lump sum or an accident pension is paid out, depending on the severity of the disability.

Occupational disability insurance provides cover not only for the consequences of accidents but also for illness. It pays an individually agreed monthly benefit if you are no longer able to carry out your own profession to the full. The earlier you take out the policy, the lower the premium.

Advice and further information

Insurance cover always depends on the specific nature of your voluntary work. You should therefore clarify at an early stage who is organising your voluntary work, what tasks you will be undertaking and what insurance cover is in place.

If your organisation has a designated department or volunteer coordination team, speak to them first. They will often be aware of the insurance arrangements in place and who is responsible in the event of a claim.

Advice & Guidance

German Foundation for Volunteering
and Civic Engagement: information, tips and advice on insurance cover
Consumer Advice Centre
Impartial information on insurance cover
State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg
Association of Public Insurers (VöV)

Ecclesia Versicherungsdienst GmbH
In the event of a claim or if you have any questions regarding insurance cover in the State of Baden-Württemberg, please contact the relevant insurance service provider:
Ecclesia Versicherungsdienst GmbH
Eichwiesenring 1/1
70567 Stuttgart
Telephone: 0711 615533-265
Fax: 0711 615533-29
Email: ehrenamt@ecclesia.de
Website: www.ecclesia.de

In the event of a claim

Report the claim as soon as possible. Record the date, location and details of what happened in writing. Where possible, keep any supporting documents, such as medical reports, photographs or statements from witnesses.