Health questions are a standard part of most disability insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung, BU) applications, and that is where most mistakes happen. As a student you may wonder which time periods are asked about, what you must disclose and what happens if an answer later turns out to be wrong. This guide explains the questions, the duty to disclose and the common pitfalls.
Short answer: Most disability insurance applications ask about outpatient treatment, usually for the last five years, and inpatient stays, usually for the last ten years, according to Stiftung Warentest (in German) (published 16 Sep 2026). Under § 19 VVG (in German) you must disclose all material facts that the insurer has asked about in writing. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- Health questions are the norm in disability insurance. According to the Stiftung Warentest, policies without any questions are rare.
- Outpatient treatment is usually asked about for five years, inpatient stays usually for ten years.
- You only have to disclose what the insurer has asked about in writing, but then you must answer completely and truthfully.
- A wrong or incomplete answer can lead to withdrawal from the contract or to termination, depending on the degree of fault.
- Simplified checks exist for a limited time for new entrants and students, sometimes through brokers or group contracts.
Which health questions does disability insurance ask during a degree?
The application questionnaire usually asks about visits to doctors, diagnoses, treatments, hospital stays and medication, and sometimes about specific conditions such as back problems, mental health conditions or allergies. The questions differ by insurer and tariff, but their structure is usually similar. Often each question refers to a time window. Read every question separately, because the period can differ from one question to the next.
According to the Stiftung Warentest, the usual framework is this: outpatient treatment is typically asked about for the past five years, and inpatient stays typically for the past ten years. The table below works out these periods for an application made in October 2026.
| Type of information | Typical period | Assumption: application October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient treatment and doctor visits | usually 5 years | October 2021 to today |
| Inpatient stays and operations | usually 10 years | October 2016 to today |
| Diagnoses and medication | depends on the form | the period is stated on the form |
The table shows only the typical periods. The wording of your questionnaire is decisive. A doctor visit that falls just outside the five-year window can still be relevant if the question is worded differently.
What does the duty to disclose under § 19 VVG mean?
The German Insurance Contract Act sets out in § 19 VVG (in German) what you must tell the insurer before the contract is concluded. You must disclose the material risk circumstances known to you that the insurer has asked about in writing (paragraph 1). This also applies to questions asked between application and acceptance. The duty therefore covers what you know and what you were asked. If you do not understand a question, ask before you answer it.
The law also distinguishes by degree of fault. If you breach the duty deliberately or through gross negligence, the insurer can withdraw from the contract (paragraph 2). Without intent or gross negligence, the withdrawal right does not apply, and the insurer can terminate with one month’s notice (paragraph 3). These rights exist only if the insurer informed you of the consequences separately in writing (paragraph 5). They are excluded if the insurer already knew the circumstance.
When do surcharges or exclusions come into play?
Not every pre-existing condition leads to a rejection. Often the insurer accepts the application with a surcharge or excludes certain benefits, for example for a specific part of the body. Under § 19 paragraph 4 VVG, different terms apply if the insurer would also have concluded the contract with knowledge of the circumstance. Those terms then become part of the contract on request. If the premium rises by more than 10 percent or cover is excluded, you can terminate within one month without notice (paragraph 6). The insurer must point out this right.
| Situation | Possible consequence under § 19 VVG |
|---|---|
| Answer wrong on purpose or through gross negligence | Withdrawal from the contract possible (paragraph 2) |
| Answer wrong without intent or gross negligence | Termination with one month’s notice possible (paragraph 3) |
| Insurer would also have accepted with the correct answer | Different terms, such as a surcharge or exclusion (paragraph 4) |
| Premium increase over 10 percent or exclusion | Termination within one month (paragraph 6) |
The table is a simplified overview. The exact conditions, especially on fault, depend on the individual case. If you are unsure about a specific answer, a personal consultation can help before you sign the application.
How do you answer health questions correctly?
The answers are the part of the application that is checked most closely later. Preparation with all relevant documents helps. These steps have proven useful:
- Collect doctor letters, test results and medication lists for the last ten years so you can name dates and diagnoses precisely.
- Answer each question for its own time period instead of giving one general statement.
- When in doubt, note the doctor, the year and the type of treatment so you can answer follow-up questions.
- Read the whole application once more before signing and compare it with your documents.
Many students underestimate information they consider unimportant, such as a single doctor visit for an infection or a sprained ankle. These can still be relevant if the questionnaire asks about them. When in doubt, it is better to disclose too much than to leave out information that later becomes a problem.
Are there tariffs with simplified health checks?
According to the Stiftung Warentest, simplified checks are offered for a limited time, for example to new professionals or students, and they often run through an insurance broker or through group contracts. Whether you benefit depends on whether such an offer applies to your situation and how long the simplification lasts. Check whether it applies to the claim or only to the application review.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to mention things I consider unimportant?
Yes, if the questionnaire asks about them. The insurer decides what matters based on the wording of the question. Information you consider minor can still play a role in the review. When in doubt, complete is better.
What happens if I forgot a condition?
That depends on whether you omitted the information deliberately, through gross negligence or without fault. Under § 19 VVG, the insurer can withdraw in the first two cases and can otherwise possibly terminate. If you are unsure, tell the insurer about the facts yourself before a claim happens.
Does the duty to disclose also cover conversations with my doctor?
The duty relates to what you state in the application, not to conversations with your doctor. It is still important that you know what you answer and that you compare your answers with your documents. That keeps your application reliable.
Are mental health conditions treated differently in disability insurance?
Mental health conditions are often asked about separately, because they play a role in assessing occupational risk. Which information is required and how it is assessed differs between insurers. Thorough preparation matters especially here.
Can an anonymous pre-check help with health questions?
An anonymous pre-check can give you an indication of whether an application is likely to be accepted. It is not a binding promise. You must still give the exact details in the real application. Our guide on the anonymous risk pre-check explains how the process works (in German).
What to do next
- Gather all treatment records for the last ten years before you open the application.
- Answer each question for its time period and note the sources of your answers.
- Ask for clarification before you sign if a wording is unclear.
- Keep a copy of the completed application so you can prove your answers later.
Related guides
- When to Take Out Disability Insurance? The Entry Age Explained
- Disability Insurance for Students: Costs and Start
- Medical student disability insurance: timing and rules
- Private Health Insurance for Working Students in Germany
Sources: Stiftung Warentest: Disability insurance for pupils, students and trainees (in German, published 16 Sep 2026), Gesetze im Internet: § 19 VVG (in German, retrieved 26 Oct 2026), Gesetze im Internet: § 172 VVG (in German, retrieved 26 Oct 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
