Extracted from source documents

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

Online purchase24/7 helpline

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.

Compare tiers
Policy featureERGO2 packages
ERGO Rechtsschutz Smartfrom€26.34/ monthERGO 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)
Set per policyChoose: €150 / €250Source
Set per policyChoose: €150 / €250 / €500Source
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)
Add-onModule: Lebensbereich BerufCan only be bought together with Lebensbereich Privat.Page 19
Add-onModule: Lebensbereich BerufCan only be bought together with Lebensbereich Privat.Page 19
Area: Home (Wohnen) – tenant/owner-occupier
Add-onModule: Lebensbereich WohnenCan only be bought together with Lebensbereich Privat.Page 19
Add-onModule: Lebensbereich WohnenCan only be bought together with Lebensbereich Privat.Page 19
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
IncludedCovers proceedings before German tax and administrative courts.Page 4
IncludedCovers proceedings before German tax and administrative courts.Page 4
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
IncludedWorldwide cover applies for contracts concluded via the internet.Source
IncludedWorldwide cover applies for contracts concluded via the internet.Source
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 statedNot stated
Investments / securities
Not includedPage 6
€50,000 per investmentPage 21
Low-risk financial productsNot statedNot 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) negotiationNot stated
€1,000 per yearPage 23
Disciplinary and professional-standards lawNot statedNot stated
Dismissal by employerNot statedNot stated
Collective labour law
Not includedPage 6
Not includedPage 6
Employer insolvencyNot stated
€1,000 per yearPage 23
Employment discrimination (AGG)Not statedNot stated
Family law – consultation / extended limit
IncludedLimited to the first consultation with a lawyer.Page 5
€1,000 per casePage 22
Inheritance law – consultation / limitNot statedNot stated
Marital / partnership law (incl. divorce)
Not includedPage 6
Not includedPage 6
Inheritance litigation (court)
Not includedPage 6
Not includedPage 6
Maintenance (Unterhalt)Not statedNot 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 insuredNot statedNot 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 statedNot 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 statedNot stated
Additional owner-occupied units
Not includedPage 20
UnlimitedCovers all units in Germany and abroad that the policyholder personally inhabits.Page 24
Short-term letting (Airbnb)Not statedNot 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
3 monthsNo wait for contracts to purchase/lease a fabrikneues (brand-new) motor vehicle.Page 7
3 monthsNo wait for contracts to purchase/lease a fabrikneues (brand-new) motor vehicle.Page 7
Waiting period – housing disputes
3 monthsPage 7
3 monthsPage 7
Waiting period – trafficNot statedNot stated
Waiting period – maintenanceNot statedNot stated
Waiting period – inheritance litigationNot statedNot stated
Waiting period – divorce litigationNot statedNot stated
Waiting period – university admissionNot statedNot 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 coverNot statedNot stated
Repair / rental defect checkService, not legal coverNot statedNot stated
Travel documents serviceService, not legal cover
Not includedPage 21
IncludedPage 25
RadMobilSchutz / CarSharingSchutzService, not legal coverNot statedNot stated
Online chat with lawyerService, not legal coverNot statedNot 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 coverNot statedNot stated
Online will generatorService, not legal coverNot statedNot stated
Advance-directive generatorService, not legal coverNot statedNot stated
Employment reference checkService, not legal coverNot statedNot stated
Employment contract creatorService, not legal coverNot statedNot stated
Fine notice checkService, not legal coverNot statedNot stated
KBA driving-points checkService, not legal coverNot statedNot stated
Flight delay / travel defect helpService, not legal coverNot statedNot stated
Contractor credit checkService, not legal coverNot statedNot stated
Psychological emergency consultationService, not legal coverNot statedNot 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.

Documents

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 7

Section: 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 19

Section: 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 5

Section: 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 9

Section: 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 4

Section: 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 5

Section: 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 12

Section: 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 22

Section: 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 15

Section: 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 15

Section: 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 12

Section: 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 11

Section: 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 Legal expenses insurance