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Insurance review

Supplementary cover · Income during illness

Daily sickness allowance insurance: bridge a temporary income gap.

Private daily sickness allowance insurance (Krankentagegeld) can help cover a documented shortfall in net income during temporary incapacity for work. It is distinct from statutory sickness benefit (Krankengeld), is not an alternative to occupational disability insurance and serves a different contractual and time-related purpose.

Review the income gap Understand the distinction
Temporary incapacityWaiting periodNot a replacement for occupational disability

Why does daily sickness allowance exist?

During a longer illness, regular income can fall or stop. The policy is intended to replace an actual loss of earnings temporarily within the agreed amount.

Typical benefit

  • An agreed daily amount during incapacity for work as defined by the policy.
  • Benefits begin after a specified waiting period.
  • Cover for illness or accident where incapacity for work exists.
  • May reduce the gap after continued salary or statutory sickness benefit (Krankengeld).
  • Must reflect the documented income situation.

Who may want to review it?

  • Self-employed people and freelancers without sufficient statutory sickness benefit (Krankengeld).
  • Employees with a relevant gap between net earnings and statutory sickness benefit.
  • Higher earners whose statutory sickness benefit is capped.
  • People with ongoing commitments who want to coordinate reserves and waiting period.

Daily sickness allowance and occupational disability: two different tasks.

Both policies may become relevant in sequence, but they are not interchangeable. Statutory sickness benefit (Krankengeld) is a GKV benefit; private daily sickness allowance (Krankentagegeld) is a separate insurance benefit.

Private daily sickness allowance (Kranken­tagegeld)

  • Relates to incapacity for work as defined by the policy.
  • Temporarily replaces a documented loss of earnings.
  • Pays after the waiting period while all conditions are met.
  • May end if occupational disability is established, depending on the conditions.

Occupational disability insurance

  • Relates to an expected long-term inability to perform the most recently practised occupation.
  • Pays the contractually agreed pension or benefit.
  • Is not tied to short-term statutory sickness benefit.
  • Is not replaced by daily sickness allowance.

Benefit amount and start must fit together.

Overinsurance is not intended. The daily amount should reflect the actual shortfall in net income and be coordinated with other benefits.

Important conditions

  • Answer health questions completely and truthfully.
  • Prove incapacity for work promptly as required by the policy.
  • Match the waiting period to continued salary, statutory sickness benefit and reserves.
  • Report occupational and income changes where required.

Typical limits

  • Total benefits must generally not exceed the documented net loss of earnings.
  • Partial capacity for work may not be sufficient under the definition.
  • Benefits may end upon occupational disability, retirement or loss of income.
  • Waiting periods and exclusions may apply depending on the policy.
Illustrative example

A gap remains after continued salary ends.

An employee is unable to work for more than six weeks. After the usual continued-salary period, statutory sickness benefit (Krankengeld) is lower than previous net earnings. An agreed private daily sickness allowance (Krankentagegeld) may temporarily reduce the documented difference within its conditions. If the restriction is expected to be permanent, occupational disability must be considered separately.

Illustrative example only — not personal advice and not a guarantee of cover, benefits or price.

How MB Finance supports you.

We do not use a flat desired amount; we consider the actual shortfall in net income, benefit start and existing entitlements together.

Record entitlements

Continued salary, statutory sickness benefit (Krankengeld), any existing private daily sickness allowance (Krankentagegeld) and other income-replacement benefits are recorded.

Calculate the gap

Net income, ongoing commitments and insurable loss are put into context.

Select waiting period

Benefit start and financial reserves are coordinated.

Compare conditions

Definitions, evidence and termination rules are reviewed.

Separate occupational disability

Temporary incapacity and long-term occupational disability remain clearly distinct.

Support a claim

We support the required notification and evidence process during incapacity for work.

Income protection should distinguish temporary from long-term health restrictions.

Long-term income protection

Occupational disability insurance

Provides an agreed benefit for an expected long-term restriction in the occupation.

Understand the distinction →Core system

Health insurance

Explains statutory sickness benefit (Krankengeld) and how comprehensive private health insurance differs from private daily sickness allowance (Krankentagegeld).

Understand the systems →Long-term care

Supplementary long-term care insurance

May add benefits for remaining costs after a need for care is established.

Understand the policy →

Frequently asked questions about daily sickness allowance.

Benefit amount and duration depend on income, evidence and policy conditions.

Does it replace occupational disability insurance?

No. Private daily sickness allowance (Krankentagegeld) concerns temporary incapacity for work. Occupational disability insurance covers an expected long-term restriction in the occupation.

How high may it be?

Total benefits must generally not exceed the documented net loss of earnings. Income changes must be considered.

When does it pay?

After the agreed waiting period, provided incapacity for work is proven as required. The start should fit continued salary, statutory sickness benefit (Krankengeld), other entitlements and reserves.

Next supplementary module

Financial gaps in long-term care: supplementary long-term care insurance.

The next page explains why compulsory long-term care insurance only covers part of possible costs and how daily allowance, care-cost and long-term care annuity policies differ.

Continue to long-term care cover Back to travel health insurance

Related calculators

Gross to net salary calculator

Sources and general notice

General information, last updated 31 August 2026. Descriptions of typical benefits are not a guarantee of cover or payment. Income, application, policy schedule and conditions are decisive.