Cancer
The most common reason for a payout under this cover.
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Most expat families in Germany are underinsured for dread disease (critical illness) cover — not because they don't care, but because no one ever explained the options clearly. A 30-minute conversation changes that.
If a serious illness or accident hit your family tomorrow
Without protection
€0
With Dread Disease cover (€50k)
€50,000
Paid out
Tax-free, one-time
Time to payout
Typically weeks
The reality
These aren't rare, distant risks
Cancer, heart attack, stroke and serious accidents are the leading reasons families suddenly lose income in Germany. Standard health insurance covers treatment — it does not replace lost income, cover a mortgage, or fund the adjustments a family needs after a diagnosis. That is the gap dread disease cover is designed to fill.
Heart Attack
Sudden, and one of the most common triggers of a claim.
Stroke
Can affect anyone, often without warning signs.
Severe Accident
Not just illness — serious accidents are covered too.
Type 1 Diabetes — included, no extra cost
Included among the 80 pre-defined diseases covered by the policy, already built into the pricing below. (Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and LADA are not covered.) Your advisor walks through the complete list on the call.
Pricing
What does dread disease cover cost?
Example premiums for a 25-year term, office-based IT professional, non-smoker, Multi-Pay option included. Pricing covers the whole family — 2 adults plus children under one policy. Your personal quote may differ based on age, health and cover amount.
Basic
Dread Disease €50,000
- Entry age 30€37.50 / mo
- Entry age 35€52.76 / mo
- Entry age 40€74.38 / mo
Comfort
Dread Disease €100,000
- Entry age 30€66.68 / mo
- Entry age 35€96.90 / mo
- Entry age 40€139.68 / mo
Premium
Dread Disease €100,000 + Term Life €100,000
- Entry age 30€82.64 / mo
- Entry age 35€117.98 / mo
- Entry age 40€169.70 / mo
Illustrative example only — actual premium depends on age, health, smoker status and coverage chosen. Not a binding offer. Full terms in the product's Erstinformationsblatt, provided before any contract is signed.
How it works
Simple by design
Critical illness cover with a clear payout, family protection built in, and a fixed premium — explained in English even when the contract is in German.
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One-time, tax-free lump sum Not a slow monthly payout — a single sum paid when a covered condition is diagnosed, yours to use however you need. Multiple payouts included: more than one disease is covered, and more than one person on the policy with a covered disease is also covered.
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Family protection built in Children are automatically covered up to €35,000 at no extra cost. Partners can be added to the same policy. Children and partner are already included in the pricing at no additional cost.
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Use it however you need Treatment, replacing lost income, paying down debt, home adjustments — the money is yours, even if you fully recover.
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Fixed premium, no surprises Your monthly cost is locked in for the life of the contract unless you choose to increase cover.
Why Canada Life
Germany's market leader for dread disease cover
Independently rated, fast claims, and worldwide coverage — with an advisor who walks you through every German clause in English.
A+ financial strength rating
Independently rated as a superior, financially strong insurer.
Fast claims
Payouts are typically processed within weeks, not months.
We handle the German
Contracts are in German — your advisor guides you through every clause in English.
Worldwide coverage
Even if you move out of Germany, you're still secured — your policy travels with you, wherever life takes your family next.
80
Defined conditions covered
20+
Years in the German market
€250M+
Paid out to clients
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers on dread disease and critical illness cover for expats in Germany.
Dread disease insurance (also called critical illness cover) pays a one-time, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a covered severe condition — such as cancer, heart attack, stroke or a serious accident. You can use the money however you need: treatment, replacing lost income, mortgage payments or home adjustments.
German statutory or private health insurance covers medical treatment. Dread disease cover does not replace it — it fills the financial gap after a diagnosis: income you may lose, costs health insurance does not pay, and flexibility for your family. You need to be a resident in Germany to take out the policy.
80 pre-defined diseases are covered, including cancer, heart attack, stroke, severe accidents and Type 1 Diabetes. Your advisor will walk through the full list relevant to your situation on the call. You can also download the full list of covered illnesses and benefit criteria (PDF).
That concern is understandable. Many problems arise because the policy conditions were not read carefully, or because important definitions were never explained clearly before signing.
That is why we focus on this before you take out the policy. We explain which medical conditions are covered, how each one is defined, what is excluded, and what evidence may be needed if you ever need to claim.
The examples below show how specific those definitions can be — including when a benefit may be payable and when it is not. You should know this before you sign, not only after a diagnosis.
Examples of clear policy definitions
Simplified summaries of the relevant policy wording.
| Condition | When a benefit may be payable | What is not covered | Initial evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stroke | Covered definition A diagnosed stroke caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain or a brain haemorrhage, together with the medical and lasting functional impairment criteria set out in the policy. | Not covered A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or severe migraine with corresponding neurological deficits. | Reports from the treating neurologist showing the diagnosis, functional limitations and their course. |
| Heart valve surgery | Covered definition First-time open-heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery in which one or more heart valves are repaired or replaced. | Not covered Balloon dilation of a narrowed valve or catheter-based mitral valve reconstruction using MitraClip. | A discharge report from the clinic confirming the type of operation performed. |
| Major organ transplantation | Covered definition A partial or total transplant of the heart, lung, liver, kidney or pancreas, or official registration on a waiting list for one of these organs. | Contract criteria A benefit is not payable where the specific organ, medical or official waiting-list criteria in the policy are not met. | A discharge report from the treating clinic and/or confirmation of registration on an official waiting list, together with the relevant medical reports. |
| Type 1 diabetes mellitus | Additional coverage A benefit may be payable if the insured person has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. This condition is part of the additional disease catalogue and is covered at 50% of the insured amount, up to a maximum benefit of €25,000 — not the full insured amount shown for the other examples. | Not covered Gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). | Findings reports from the treating physician or diabetologist from whom the diagnosis results. |
Important distinction: Type 1 diabetes mellitus belongs to the additional disease catalogue. If the contractual definition is met, the benefit is 50% of the insured amount, capped at €25,000. The other examples above refer to conditions covered at the full insured amount, subject to the applicable policy wording.
Why this gives you clarity
- The definitions are clear from the beginning. You can review the relevant medical criteria before taking out the policy.
- The coverage level is clear. Type 1 diabetes is listed in the additional disease catalogue and pays 50% of the insured amount, capped at €25,000, when the contractual definition is met.
- The wording forms part of the contract. The agreed policy conditions cannot simply be rewritten retrospectively for a claim.
- The evidence requirements are explained. You know which medical reports may be needed to start the assessment.
In short, no one should have to rely on a vague promise that an insurer will pay. The important question is whether the condition, definition, coverage level and evidence requirements are clear in the policy from the start. We walk you through these points in plain English, even when the contract itself is in German.
View the full list of covered illnesses and benefit criteria (PDF)
The examples above are simplified explanations for orientation only. The full policy wording, exclusions, waiting periods and claim requirements apply. A benefit is payable only when the contractual conditions are met and the required evidence supports the claim.
Premiums depend on your age, health, smoker status and the cover amount. As an example, a non-smoker office worker at entry age 30 can start around €37.50 per month for €50,000 cover. See the pricing section above for Basic, Comfort and Premium examples, then get a personal quote on the free call.
Yes — the lump sum is paid tax-free in Germany, and is yours to use as you choose, even if you make a full recovery.
Yes — children are automatically covered up to €35,000 at no extra cost, and partners can be added to the same policy. Children and partner are already included in the pricing at no additional cost.
The policy covers you worldwide, so you stay protected after a move. If you no longer need the cover, you can cancel with one month's notice.
Canada Life is a market leader for this type of cover in Germany, with strong financial ratings, typically fast claims and worldwide coverage. We explain every German contract clause in English so you know exactly what you are signing.
A licensed advisor reviews your family situation, explains what is and isn't covered, and gives you a personal quote. There is no obligation to proceed.
You can cancel anytime with one month's notice. Your monthly premium stays fixed for the life of the contract unless you choose to increase cover.
Get your personal quote
Book your free 30-minute call
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Book a free 30-minute call. We'll walk through your situation, explain the cover in plain English, and give you a personal quote — no obligation.
This page is marketing material and does not constitute insurance advice or a binding offer. Premiums shown are illustrative examples for a 25-year term, non-smoker, office-based IT professional, covering 2 adults (policyholder and partner) plus children under one family policy, and vary by individual health, age and coverage selected. Final terms, exclusions and waiting periods are set out in the insurer's policy conditions and Erstinformationsblatt (§15 VersVermV), provided before any contract is concluded. Finance for Expats GmbH acts as an independent insurance intermediary (Versicherungsvermittler with Erlaubnis gem. § 34d Abs. 1 GewO).