
ERGO Legal expenses insurance (Ergo Rechtsschutz Privatkunden)
Underwritten by ERGO Versicherung AG · Germany
legal expenses insurance from ERGO for the Germany market, with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Terms dated 2022-10-01Sources
Key facts
- ERGO
- Starting price: €12.17per monthAs published by the insurer — it does not say who the price is for
Unique selling points
The Best tier offers an unlimited sum insured and unlimited criminal bail loan within the core territory, well above typical market caps.
ERGO's Best legal expenses package was rated "gut (2,4)" by Stiftung Warentest's Finanztest in a May 2020 comparison of 49 packages from 23 insurers.
Customers switching providers can start the Best tariff immediately with full difference cover (Differenzdeckung) and no waiting period, provided the relevant life areas were already insured previously.
A free ERGO Rechtsschutz App provides a built-in litigation-cost and compensation calculator alongside digital claims handling.
Customer service is reachable around the clock, including Sundays and public holidays, in addition to the personal ERGO adviser.
Coverage limits
Compare tiers
Every tier of every insurer, answered field by field from the insurer's own terms.
| Policy feature | ERGO2 packages | |
|---|---|---|
| ERGO Rechtsschutz Smartfrom€26.34/ month | ERGO Rechtsschutz BestPrice on request | |
| Price | from €26.34 / monthInsurer's price example: Die Beiträge brutto (inkl. Versicherungssteuer) bei 3 Jahren Laufzeit und monatlicher Zahlungsweise; Privat, Beruf, Wohnen, Verkehr; Selbstbeteiligung 250 € | Price on request |
| Standard deductible (Selbstbeteiligung) | ||
| Minimum / standard contract term | 12 monthsPage 11 | 12 monthsPage 11 |
| Ordinary cancellation notice | 3 monthsPage 11 | 3 monthsPage 11 |
| Deductible reduction after claim-free years | IncludedOnly applies if the agreed deductible is not percentage-based and does not exceed 500 EUR per case; deductible is waived entirely after 5 claim-free years and halved after 3 claim-free years.Page 9 | IncludedOnly applies if the agreed deductible is not percentage-based and does not exceed 500 EUR per case; deductible is waived entirely after 5 claim-free years and halved after 3 claim-free years.Page 9 |
| No deductible for first/phone consultation or mediation | IncludedPage 9 | IncludedPage 9 |
| Switching / difference cover (Differenzdeckung) | Not includedPage 27 | IncludedApplies from the day after application with no waiting period, limited to life areas (Lebensbereiche) also covered under the prior policy.Page 27 |
| Sum insured – Europe / core territory | €2,000,000Page 5 | UnlimitedPage 5 |
| Sum insured – outside core territory | €100,000Page 9 | €300,000Page 21 |
| Criminal bail (Strafkaution) – core territory | €200,000Page 5 | UnlimitedPage 5 |
| Criminal bail (Strafkaution) – outside core territory | €100,000Page 5 | €200,000Page 21 |
| Max. covered stay outside core territory | 12 monthsPage 5 | 24 monthsPage 21 |
| Mediation limit per case | €2,000 per casePage 8 | €2,000 per casePage 8 |
| Mediation limit per year | €4,000 per yearPage 8 | €4,000 per yearPage 8 |
| Own lawyer, court and expert costs | IncludedPage 8 | IncludedPage 8 |
| Opposing party costs (if legally owed) | IncludedOnly when the policyholder is obliged to reimburse opposing party costs by court order.Page 9 | IncludedOnly when the policyholder is obliged to reimburse opposing party costs by court order.Page 9 |
| Area: Private (Privat) | IncludedPage 19 | IncludedPage 19 |
| Area: Work / employment law (Beruf) | ||
| Area: Home (Wohnen) – tenant/owner-occupier | ||
| Area: Traffic (Verkehr) – motor vehicles | Add-onModule: Lebensbereich VerkehrCan be purchased on its own or combined with other life areas.Page 20 | Add-onModule: Lebensbereich VerkehrCan be purchased on its own or combined with other life areas.Page 20 |
| Extended / special criminal defence (e.g. StrafrechtPlus) | Not includedPage 5 | IncludedModule: Spezial-Straf-RechtsschutzCovers Vergehen (not Verbrechen) including those alleged to be intentional; cost must be repaid if the policyholder is finally convicted of intentional conduct.Page 22 |
| Traffic disputes as pedestrian / passenger / cyclist (non-owner) | IncludedPage 20 | IncludedPage 20 |
| Contract and property law | IncludedPage 4 | IncludedPage 4 |
| Claims for damages (Schadenersatz) | IncludedPage 4 | IncludedPage 4 |
| Tax law | ||
| Social law | IncludedPage 4 | IncludedPage 4 |
| Administrative law | IncludedPage 4 | IncludedPage 4 |
| Criminal defence | IncludedStandard cover excludes felonies and intent-only offences; see extended_criminal_defence for the Best-only Spezial-Straf-Rechtsschutz enhancement.Page 4 | IncludedStandard cover excludes felonies and intent-only offences; see extended_criminal_defence for the Best-only Spezial-Straf-Rechtsschutz enhancement.Page 4 |
| Regulatory offences / fines (Ordnungswidrigkeiten) | IncludedPage 5 | IncludedPage 5 |
| Rights as victim of a crime (Opferschutz) | IncludedPage 5 | IncludedPage 5 |
| Online purchases and contracts | ||
| Copyright / online warning letters (Abmahnung) | IncludedLimited to the first consultation with a lawyer per calendar year, covered under the general consultation-fee cap.Page 5 | €10,000 per casePage 22 |
| Cyber-mobbing / online reputation | IncludedPage 19 | IncludedPage 19 |
| Identity theft / phishing | Not includedPage 21 | €100 per contractPage 25 |
| Data protection (GDPR) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Investments / securities | Not includedPage 6 | €50,000 per investmentPage 21 |
| Low-risk financial products | Not stated | Not stated |
| Limited side self-employment | Not includedPage 19 | IncludedAnnual turnover must not exceed 22,000 EUR, no employees may be engaged, and cover does not extend to Rechtsschutz im Vertrags- und Sachenrecht for this activity.Page 22 |
| University admission proceedings | Not includedPage 6 | Not includedPage 6 |
| Consumer insolvency | Not includedPage 6 | Not includedPage 6 |
| Termination agreement (Aufhebungsvertrag) negotiation | Not stated | €1,000 per yearPage 23 |
| Disciplinary and professional-standards law | Not stated | Not stated |
| Dismissal by employer | Not stated | Not stated |
| Collective labour law | Not includedPage 6 | Not includedPage 6 |
| Employer insolvency | Not stated | €1,000 per yearPage 23 |
| Employment discrimination (AGG) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Family law – consultation / extended limit | €1,000 per casePage 22 | |
| Inheritance law – consultation / limit | Not stated | Not stated |
| Marital / partnership law (incl. divorce) | Not includedPage 6 | Not includedPage 6 |
| Inheritance litigation (court) | Not includedPage 6 | Not includedPage 6 |
| Maintenance (Unterhalt) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Guardianship proceedings (Betreuungsverfahren) | IncludedPage 5 | IncludedPage 5 |
| Powers of attorney / advance directives – consultation | Not includedPage 21 | €500 per yearPage 25 |
| Will drafting / consultation | Not includedPage 21 | €500 per contractPage 25 |
| Partner and children insured | Not stated | Not stated |
| Dependent parents / relatives in need of care | IncludedFamily tariff only: parents (Eltern) of the policyholder and of the co-insured partner are covered if living in the same household with their Erstwohnsitz registered there.Page 17 | IncludedFamily tariff: all relatives (Verwandte) of the policyholder and of the co-insured partner are covered if living in the same household with their Erstwohnsitz registered there.Page 17 |
| Tenant disputes (Mieter) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Landlord (Vermieter) cover | Add-onModule: Immobilien-Rechtsschutz für zusätzliche Objekte und Einzelrisiken (Vermieter und Verpächter)Page 29 | Add-onModule: Immobilien-Rechtsschutz für zusätzliche Objekte und Einzelrisiken (Vermieter und Verpächter)Page 29 |
| Owner-occupied home (Eigentümer) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Additional owner-occupied units | Not includedPage 20 | |
| Short-term letting (Airbnb) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Photovoltaics / renewable energy installations | IncludedRequires both Lebensbereich Privat and Wohnen (Immobilie); system must be on the self-occupied one- or two-family house.Page 20 | IncludedRequires both Lebensbereich Privat and Wohnen (Immobilie); system must be on the self-occupied one- or two-family house.Page 20 |
| Construction disputes (Baurechtsschutz) | Not includedPage 5 | Not includedPage 5 |
| Expropriation / planning procedures | Not includedPage 6 | €10,000 per casePage 24 |
| Development charges (Erschließung / Anliegerabgaben) | Not includedPage 6 | IncludedPage 24 |
| Traffic administrative law (licence matters) | IncludedPage 20 | IncludedPage 20 |
| Vehicle purchase / repair contracts | IncludedPage 20 | IncludedPage 20 |
| Motor vehicles covered | IncludedLand vehicles only in the base module; water/air vehicles are a Best-tier enhancement (see tier-level field).Page 20 | IncludedLand vehicles only in the base module; water/air vehicles are a Best-tier enhancement (see tier-level field).Page 20 |
| Traffic fines / parking | IncludedHalt-/Parkverstöße are excluded unless the violation is one for which the German Bußgeldkatalog-Verordnung provides for points in the Verkehrszentralregister.Page 6 | IncludedHalt-/Parkverstöße are excluded unless the violation is one for which the German Bußgeldkatalog-Verordnung provides for points in the Verkehrszentralregister.Page 6 |
| Protection as driver / owner of a motor vehicle | IncludedPage 20 | IncludedPage 20 |
| Water and air vehicles | Not includedPage 24 | IncludedPage 24 |
| Interpreter for criminal case abroad | Not includedPage 21 | IncludedPage 21 |
| Waiting period – employment disputes | 3 monthsPage 7 | 3 monthsPage 7 |
| Waiting period – contract disputes | ||
| Waiting period – housing disputes | 3 monthsPage 7 | 3 monthsPage 7 |
| Waiting period – traffic | Not stated | Not stated |
| Waiting period – maintenance | Not stated | Not stated |
| Waiting period – inheritance litigation | Not stated | Not stated |
| Waiting period – divorce litigation | Not stated | Not stated |
| Waiting period – university admission | Not stated | Not stated |
| Services available without waiting period | NonePage 5 | NonePage 5 |
| Phone legal adviceService, not legal cover | IncludedPage 4 | IncludedPage 4 |
| Service-charge statement check (Nebenkosten)Service, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Repair / rental defect checkService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Travel documents serviceService, not legal cover | Not includedPage 21 | IncludedPage 25 |
| RadMobilSchutz / CarSharingSchutzService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Online chat with lawyerService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Mobile lawyerService, not legal cover | Not includedPage 21 | IncludedPage 22 |
| Mediation / out-of-court settlementService, not legal cover | IncludedPage 5 | IncludedPage 5 |
| Contract / document checkService, not legal cover | Not includedPage 21 | 1 × per yearPage 25 |
| Website / T&C checkService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Online will generatorService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Advance-directive generatorService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Employment reference checkService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Employment contract creatorService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Fine notice checkService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| KBA driving-points checkService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Flight delay / travel defect helpService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Contractor credit checkService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Psychological emergency consultationService, not legal cover | Not stated | Not stated |
| Cost recovery after conviction for intentional crime | AppliesPage 5 | AppliesPage 5 |
| Business activity excluded without business add-on | AppliesPage 19 | AppliesPage 19 |
"Not stated" means the documents we read do not say. It is not the same as "Not included".
Rules that apply to every policy
- Free choice of lawyer is a statutory right (§127 VVG) for all German legal expenses insurers.
- Disputes whose cause predates the policy start / waiting period are excluded by all insurers.
- Coverage must be confirmed against the Versicherungsschein and current ARB.
- Insurers may cancel after two claims within 12 months.
- Services (hotlines, generators, checks) are not equivalent to litigation cover; partner services can change without policy amendment.
Not an offer. Values come from product documents; the policy schedule (Versicherungsschein) and current ARB/IPID prevail.
Key conditions
Territorial scope
Outside the core territory, Smart covers costs up to 100,000 EUR for stays of up to 1 year (or for disputes from contracts concluded online); Best covers up to 300,000 EUR for stays of up to 2 years.
Where to buy
Listed alphabetically by seller. The order does not depend on whether Boleron earns anything from a sale.
CHECK24 (opens in a new tab)
ERGO legal expenses insurance on CHECK24
ERGO (opens in a new tab)
ERGO Rechtsschutzversicherung – online quote and purchase
ERGO (opens in a new tab)
ERGO advisor/branch finder
Tarifcheck (opens in a new tab)
ERGO legal expenses insurance on Tarifcheck
Documents
ERGO Rechtsschutz für Privatkunden – Terms and Conditions (KT 2020 RS N, as of 10.2022) (opens in a new tab)
Terms & conditions · PDF
ERGO Rechtsschutz für Privatkunden – Terms and Conditions (KT 2020 RS N, as of 10.2020, superseded) (opens in a new tab)
Terms & conditions · PDF
ERGO Rechtsschutz für Familien und Singles – marketing brochure with benefits table (opens in a new tab)
Other document · PDF
Policy specifics
Waiting periods for coverage
A 3-month waiting period applies to Rechtsschutz im Vertrags- und Sachenrecht, Rechtsschutz für Betreuungsverfahren, and Arbeits-, Verwaltungs- sowie Wohnungs- und Grundstücks-Rechtsschutz; it does not apply to contracts for a new car purchase/lease or to the advisory/telephone services.
SourceClause A.4.2Page 7Section: A. Allgemeiner Teil > 4. Was sind die Voraussetzungen für meinen Anspruch auf Rechtsschutz?
Diese Wartezeit läuft drei Monate nach Versicherungsbeginn ab. Sie besteht für folgende Leistungen: Rechtsschutz im Vertrags- und Sachenrecht; Rechtsschutz für Betreuungsverfahren; Arbeits-, Verwaltungssowie Wohnungs- und Grundstücks-Rechtsschutz.
Modular life-area structure
Cover is organised into selectable Lebensbereiche: Privat (base), plus optional Beruf, Wohnen and Verkehr modules. Beruf and Wohnen can only be bought together with Privat. Tax law, social law and mediation are included Leistungsarten within these modules, not separately optional add-ons.
SourcePage 19Section: D. ERGO Rechtsschutz Smart > 1. Lebensbereich Privat
Folgende Bereiche sind mit einem extra Baustein zu versichern und nicht im Privat-Rechtsschutz enthalten: Berufs-Rechtsschutz, Verkehrs-Rechtsschutz und Fahrzeug-Rechtsschutz, Wohnungs- und Grundstücks-Rechtsschutz.
Criminal/penal law coverage conditions
No cover for an alleged Verbrechen (felony) or for an offence that can only be committed intentionally; cover for other offences is retroactive even if intent is alleged, but lapses if the policyholder is finally convicted of intentional conduct.
SourceClause A.2.9.2Page 5Section: A. Allgemeiner Teil > 2. Leistungsarten > 2.9 Straf-Rechtsschutz
Es besteht bei dem Vorwurf eines Verbrechens kein Versicherungsschutz. Es besteht auch kein Versicherungsschutz bei dem Vorwurf eines Vergehens, das nur vorsätzlich begangen werden kann
International coverage scope
Core territory is Europe, Mediterranean neighbouring states, Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. Outside this area Smart covers up to 100,000 EUR for stays up to 1 year; Best covers up to 300,000 EUR for stays up to 2 years, or for disputes from contracts concluded online.
SourceClause A.6.1Page 9Section: A. Allgemeiner Teil > 6. In welchen Ländern bin ich versichert?
Sie sind in Europa, den Anliegerstaaten des Mittelmeeres, auf den Kanarischen Inseln, auf Madeira und den Azoren versichert.
Claims handling via ERGO Rechtsschutz Leistungs-GmbH
ERGO has outsourced claims handling to the legally separate ERGO Rechtsschutz Leistungs-GmbH, which provides the lawyer referral and service leistungen; customers have free choice of lawyer but ERGO determines coverage eligibility.
SourceClause A.1Page 4Section: A. Allgemeiner Teil > 1. Was leistet mein ERGO Rechtsschutz?
Sie möchten Ihre rechtlichen Interessen wahrnehmen. Die ERGO Rechtsschutz Leistungs-GmbH erbringt die dafür erforderlichen Leistungen
Property-related exclusions
No cover for the purchase/sale of land to be built on, for planning or construction of a building, or for anzeige-/genehmigungspflichtige building alterations, nor for the financing of these.
SourceClause A.3.2Page 5Section: A. Allgemeiner Teil > 3. Was ist vom Versicherungsschutz ausgeschlossen? > 3.2
Rechtsschutz besteht nicht, wenn Sie Ihre rechtlichen Interessen wahrnehmen in ursächlichem Zusammenhang mit dem Kauf oder Verkauf eines Grundstückes, das bebaut werden soll
Primary residence requirement for premium waiver
For the optional premium waiver during unemployment, full incapacity or long-term care, the policyholder's primary residence must be in Germany.
SourceClause B.3.7.1Page 12Section: B. Allgemeine Regelungen zum Rechtsschutzvertrag > 3.7 Was leistet die Beitragsübernahme?
Ihr Erstwohnsitz muss dazu in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland liegen.
Self-employment turnover and employee limits (Best Beruf / Vital tariffs)
Where self-employed activity is covered (Best Lebensbereich Beruf, and the Vital tariff for retirees), annual turnover must not exceed 22,000 EUR and no employees may be engaged; cover lapses once this threshold is exceeded in the calendar year.
SourcePage 22Section: E. ERGO Rechtsschutz Best > 2. Lebensbereich Beruf
Sie dürfen keine Mitarbeiter beschäftigen. Ihr Gesamtumsatz darf 22.000 Euro nicht übersteigen.
Motor vehicle deregistration termination right (Verkehr module)
The policyholder may demand termination of the Verkehr life area once no motor vehicle has been registered to them (or co-insured persons) for at least six months.
SourceClause B.6.2Page 15Section: B. Allgemeine Regelungen zum Rechtsschutzvertrag > 6. Was geschieht, wenn das versicherte Interesse wegfällt?
Sie können die Beendigung Ihres Verkehrs-Rechtsschutzes verlangen. Voraussetzung ist, dass seit mindestens sechs Monaten kein Motorfahrzeug mehr auf Sie zugelassen ist.
Coverage continuation upon death of policyholder
Upon the policyholder's death, cover continues until the end of the current premium period if the premium was paid on the date of death; the person who then pays the next premium becomes the new policyholder.
SourceClause B.6.4Page 15Section: B. Allgemeine Regelungen zum Rechtsschutzvertrag > 6. Was geschieht, wenn das versicherte Interesse wegfällt?
Im Falle Ihres Todes besteht der Versicherungsschutz bis zum Ende der laufenden Beitragsperiode fort.
First premium payment timing and coverage start
The first or single premium must be paid promptly after 14 days from receipt of the insurance certificate (and not before the stated start date); coverage only begins once the premium is paid.
SourceClause B.3.2.1Page 12Section: B. Allgemeine Regelungen zum Rechtsschutzvertrag > 3. Was muss ich bei der Beitragszahlung beachten?
Sie müssen einen einmaligen Beitrag oder, wenn laufende Beiträge vereinbart sind, den ersten Beitrag unverzüglich nach Ablauf von 14 Tagen nach Zugang des Versicherungsscheines zahlen.
Contract duration and automatic renewal
Contracts of at least one year auto-renew annually unless cancelled 3 months before expiry; contracts under one year end automatically without notice.
SourceClause B.2.2Page 11Section: B. Allgemeine Regelungen zum Rechtsschutzvertrag > 2. Wie lange läuft mein Vertrag?
Bei einer Vertragsdauer von mindestens einem Jahr verlängert sich der Vertrag um jeweils ein Jahr.
Sources
- ergo.dehttps://www.ergo.de/de/Produkte/Rechtsschutzversicherung(opens in a new tab)
- hvs-online.dehttps://www.hvs-online.de/inc/products/downloads/1751613751-download.pdf#page=11(opens in a new tab)
- hvs-online.dehttps://www.hvs-online.de/inc/products/downloads/1751613751-download.pdf#page=12(opens in a new tab)
- hvs-online.dehttps://www.hvs-online.de/inc/products/downloads/1751613751-download.pdf#page=15(opens in a new tab)
- hvs-online.dehttps://www.hvs-online.de/inc/products/downloads/1751613751-download.pdf#page=19(opens in a new tab)
- hvs-online.dehttps://www.hvs-online.de/inc/products/downloads/1751613751-download.pdf#page=22(opens in a new tab)
- hvs-online.dehttps://www.hvs-online.de/inc/products/downloads/1751613751-download.pdf#page=4(opens in a new tab)
- hvs-online.dehttps://www.hvs-online.de/inc/products/downloads/1751613751-download.pdf#page=5(opens in a new tab)
- hvs-online.dehttps://www.hvs-online.de/inc/products/downloads/1751613751-download.pdf#page=7(opens in a new tab)
- hvs-online.dehttps://www.hvs-online.de/inc/products/downloads/1751613751-download.pdf#page=9(opens in a new tab)
ERGO Legal expenses insurance