Insurance company Infinma is offering stable premium rates to providers associated with BU.
In the realm of Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung (BU, or occupational disability insurance) in Germany, Infinma, a renowned financial consultancy, has been conducting detailed analyses to compare the financial stability, premium predictability, and provider transparency of German insurers. The focus of this year's survey, published in 2024, was on disability and basic ability insurance, as well as new business development in income protection.
### Key Insights from the Latest Available Survey
The survey evaluated premium stability by examining past and projected premium increases, with transparent insurers demonstrating clear communication of their pricing methods and future expectations. Transparency was assessed based on how openly insurers disclosed their underwriting, risk models, policy change processes, and future planning.
### Top Transparent BU Insurers
While the 2025 survey results have yet to be released, Swiss Life AG, alemannia GmbH, AachenMünchener, Allianz, Arag, Basler, and Volkswohl Bund have consistently ranked highly in Infinma’s BU transparency and premium stability rankings in recent years. These insurers have been commended for their high level of product transparency, low likelihood of unexpected premium increases, and customer-friendly policy conditions.
### What to Expect
Infinma’s criteria for transparency encompass clear documentation of premium increase potential in the policy, honest communication about risk models and underwriting, stability of premiums compared to industry averages, and ease of claim handling and disputes.
### How to Get the Most Up-to-Date Information
To stay informed about the latest rankings, visit Infinma’s official website (infinma.de) for their latest Transparenzstudie. Consulting with independent insurance brokers in Germany can also provide real-time personalized recommendations. Additionally, financial news portals such as Versicherungswirtschaft and Focus Money often report on Infinma’s latest rankings and insights.
### Recommendation
For the most current rankings, request the most recent Infinma Transparenzstudie directly, or contact a German insurance broker who specializes in Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung.
### Additional Findings
The survey confirmed that insurers have consistently calculated solidly and prudently, and premium adjustments in the portfolio have been the exception. The topic of BU premium stability in the portfolio remains relevant for intermediaries and customers. Co-CEO Marc Glissmann stated that it cannot be proven that more complex BU models have led to significantly better results in terms of premium stability.
The survey focused on whether the insurer had refrained from adjusting the surplus participation in the portfolio in the past 10, 15, 20, or more than 20 years. Infinma has requested further information on the portfolios of products for income protection from various insurers. The number of companies participating in Infinma’s survey on premium stability has increased compared to the previous year, with approximately 50 companies taking part.
The investigation was based on the bonus rate and the immediate deduction rate, which should not have been changed by the insurer in the specified period. Some circles are trying to derive increasing BU premiums from the corona pandemic, according to Infinma CEO Jörg Schulz. More insurers have recognized the importance of transparency and have made additional statements in response to Infinma's survey.
In the context of the latest Infinma survey, transparency was a key factor assessed for Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung (BU) insurers in Germany, with factors such as clear communication of pricing methods and future expectations, underwriting transparency, and stability of premiums being evaluated.
Top insurers that have consistently ranked highly in Infinma's BU transparency and premium stability rankings include Swiss Life AG, alemannia GmbH, AachenMünchener, Allianz, Arag, Basler, and Volkswohl Bund, which have been commended for their high level of product transparency, low likelihood of unexpected premium increases, and customer-friendly policy conditions.
