Contact and content responsibility
Mahdi Barzkar
Owner and insurance broker authorised under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act · Register number D-H3YB-K7WLO-18.
Our advisory process
How we compare and advise
Advice should not merely state an outcome; it should make the route to that outcome understandable. We therefore work in clear stages and document the foundations relevant to the agreed scope.
1. Listen and clarify the scope
We discuss goals, priorities and open questions. Together we define which topic will be reviewed and what is explicitly outside the scope.
2. Understand the starting point
Only information and existing arrangements needed for the topic are considered. Sensitive information is requested only when necessary for specific advice and only through an appropriate channel.
3. Agree the criteria
We define transparent criteria. Examples include benefits, exclusions, flexibility, deductible and contribution. Their weighting follows your agreed scope.
4. Explain the differences
We compare suitable solutions and explain important differences and visible trade-offs. A lower contribution may, for example, come with different policy terms; this is not a general judgement.
5. Decision and ongoing support
You make your own decision after the explanation. If you choose to proceed, we support the agreed steps and remain available for later questions or changes.
How the advice is documented
Under the German Insurance Contract Act, insurance intermediaries are obliged to ask about your wishes and needs, give reasons for their advice and document the advice. You usually receive this documentation in text form before a contract is concluded. It helps you understand your decision later on as well. In particular, it records:
- your wishes and needs as clarified in the conversation
- the advice given and the reasons for it
- foundations such as the agreed scope of the mandate and the agreed criteria
Online comparison and comparison in advice
Online comparison tools can give a first impression of what is available. However, their results depend heavily on the filters selected, and the contribution is often the main focus. Whether a policy fits your situation often only becomes clear in its terms. In advice, the first step is therefore to define what matters to you; suitable solutions are then compared against these criteria. Differences that are relevant to your mandate are explained, even if they are not reflected in the contribution.
Criteria in practice: an example
A comparison of contents insurance policies, for example, shows how criteria interact. For a household with high-quality bicycles, different points may be in the foreground than for a household with valuable furnishings. The following points are only examples:
- Sum insured: Is it enough to replace all household contents new? If it is too low, the benefit may be reduced in the event of a claim (underinsurance).
- Gross negligence: Does the policy also pay if damage is caused, for example, by an unattended candle?
- Bicycle theft: Is it included, and under what conditions?
- Valuables: Up to what limit are jewellery, cash or other valuables insured?
Existing contracts in the comparison
A new contract is not automatically better than an existing one. If a comparison concerns a topic for which a contract already exists, that contract is therefore included in the comparison. Sometimes adjusting the existing contract is also an option. If you are considering a switch, these points, among others, need attention:
- Health questions and age: A new contract may involve new health questions and a contribution based on your current age.
- Waiting periods: Some policies provide for waiting periods before benefits can be claimed, for example in supplementary dental or legal expenses insurance.
- Acquired rights: Agreed options or terms of the previous contract may be lost when switching.
- Deadlines: The term and notice period of the previous contract determine when a switch is possible.
- Sequence: Only cancel an existing contract once the new cover has been confirmed as binding, so that no gap arises.
After the decision
Once you have decided on an insurance solution, the following steps typically follow:
- Application: The application questions, especially those about health, are answered completely and truthfully. You check the application before it is submitted.
- Acceptance: The insurer reviews the application. It can accept it, reject it or offer cover only on modified terms, for example with an exclusion or a contribution surcharge.
- Check the documents: Do the policy and the terms match what was discussed? This is best clarified within the withdrawal period.
This content provides general orientation. Situations and benefits mentioned are examples; the specific need, policy terms and individual advice are decisive. It does not state a price, acceptance or cover decision.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is the entire market always compared?
The providers and solutions that can be included depend on the specific mandate and accessible market. The scope is made transparent during the advisory process.
Does MB Finance decide for me?
No. We explain and organise the information. You make the decision.
Can I decide how the criteria are weighted?
Yes. The weighting follows your mandate. For one person, for example, a low contribution is the priority; for another, the broadest possible benefits or the option to adjust the contract later. If criteria conflict, this trade-off is discussed openly.
Can I withdraw from an insurance contract after concluding it?
As a rule, yes. You can in principle withdraw from insurance contracts within 14 days, and from life insurance within 30 days. The period only begins once you have received, among other things, the insurance policy, the contract terms and the withdrawal instructions in text form. Details are set out in the insurer's withdrawal instructions.
What happens if none of the solutions presented suits me?
Then nothing is implemented. You can reweight the criteria, leave an existing contract unchanged or return to the topic at a later date.
Why is personal information needed for a comparison?
For many types of insurance, the contribution and acceptance depend on personal characteristics, for example age, occupation, place of residence or health. Without this information, results would only be rough. Only what is necessary for the topic in question is collected; sensitive information is exchanged exclusively through a secure channel.
Next step
Put your topic into context with us.
Send a short request without health or contract details. We will contact you to agree on the next step.