If you ask about the premium for occupational disability insurance (BU) as a student, you are usually looking for one number. No fixed figure exists, because every premium is calculated from entry age, occupational group, health and the pension you want. This guide shows how to make offers comparable and what a monthly BU pension of 1,500 euros can mean for your planning.
Short answer: Last updated: October 2026. No official reference figure exists for the BU premium of students. The premium depends on age, occupation, health and the BU pension you choose. For a comparison, divide the monthly premium by the pension and multiply by 100. This gives the premium per 100 euros of pension, so offers with different pensions become comparable.
The most important points
- A BU pension of 1,500 euros a month is a target, not a price. The premium only follows from a specific offer.
- Compare premiums only at the same pension, the same end age and the same options. Otherwise you compare different products.
- The premium usually rises with entry age and health risks, so an early comparison makes sense.
- Premium divided by pension, times 100, puts offers on a common basis.
- A low premium is worth little if the terms limit benefits, for example through an abstract referral clause.
What a pension of 1,500 euros means
The BU pension is the amount the contract pays each month if you claim. It is set in the application and should match your ongoing costs, not a salary you hope to reach in a few years. It is also important how the contract defines a claim. The legal basis is section 172 VVG: what matters is whether you can no longer practise your last profession.
A pension of 1,500 euros can be a lot or a little for you. That depends on which costs you would have in an emergency, what savings you hold, and whether other benefits would come in as well. Make this calculation before you sign, not afterwards.
As an example of the reasoning: a higher pension should not count as a better deal automatically. Someone who buys a 2,000 euro pension with a premium they can hardly keep paying has saved nothing. What matters is that you can pay the premium for the whole term and that the pension truly helps in your situation.
How to compare offers fairly
The formula is simple, but offers are often not. The example below uses two freely chosen numbers. They show the method but are not market prices.
Assumption: Offer A costs 90 euros a month for a BU pension of 1,500 euros. Offer B costs 70 euros a month for a BU pension of 1,200 euros. For the comparison, scale B linearly to 1,500 euros. In practice the relationship is not always linear, so check the result in the actual offer.
| Offer | Monthly premium | BU pension | Premium per 100 euros of pension | Scaled to 1,500 euros |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A (assumption) | 90 euros | 1,500 euros | 6.00 euros | 90.00 euros |
| B (assumption) | 70 euros | 1,200 euros | 5.83 euros | 87.50 euros |
In this example, B would be slightly cheaper for a pension of 1,500 euros, even though its monthly premium is lower. You still have to check whether B offers the same cover. A lower price per 100 euros says nothing about the scope of protection.
Which factors drive the premium
The premium is calculated from several levers. The most important are your entry age, your classification into an occupational group, your health, the term and the options you add. Each insurer weights these factors differently.
- Entry age: starting early means paying earlier, but often with more favourable starting values. The exact calculation differs for each insurer.
- Occupational group: it determines how the risk is assessed. For students it is often still open, so ask before you apply.
- Health: health questions and records decide whether an offer comes without a surcharge, with an exclusion or not at all.
- Dynamic increase: it lets pension and premium grow together. This protects against inflation but makes the premium larger over time.
- Referral: an agreed abstract referral clause can limit benefits. The legal basis is section 172 (3) VVG, and it is reflected in the price.
How much premium is affordable for you?
The right premium is a question of budget. An example shows how to check the proportion. There is no binding upper limit, and the figure below is only a thought model.
Assumption: you have 900 euros net a month and plan 90 euros for BU. That is 10 percent of your net income. What matters is whether this amount stays affordable if your income, rent or study plan changes. So plan a buffer as well.
Finally, a note on documentation. Ask for every offer in writing, with pension, end age, premium, term and options. Only then can you compare offers properly, and only then do you have a basis for your decision if a dispute arises.
Frequently asked questions
What does a BU pension of 1,500 euros cost for students?
There is no binding figure. Offers depend on age, occupation, health and terms. So compare with the formula from this guide, and ask for the premium for your own situation rather than an average.
Is an offer with a low premium always better?
No. A low premium can come with limited terms, for example a referral clause or a shorter term. Check the benefit options first and the price second. Your health answers also decide whether you get the offer at all.
Can the premium rise later?
Whether the premium can be adjusted is stated in the terms. A dynamic increase lets premium and pension grow together, which you should choose deliberately. So read which adjustments the contract allows before you sign.
Is a pension above 1,500 euros worth it?
That depends on your future needs. A pension should match your ongoing living costs. A pension that is too high makes the premium expensive, while one that is too low leaves gaps. The German guide BU-Rente: Wie hoch sollte sie als Student sein? explains the link.
Why does the term matter so much?
The term determines how long you pay and how long the cover lasts. A longer term protects you for longer but costs more over the years. The comparison should therefore always assume the same end age.
What to do now
- Set the pension you would need in a claim, and write down this assumption.
- Get at least three offers with the same pension, end age and options.
- Convert each offer to 100 euros of pension and check the terms before you decide.
- Have the costs explained in a conversation. For how a personal assessment works at Academycon, see How we work (in German).
Related guides
- BU pension: how high should it be as a student?
- BU dynamics and inflation protection
- Disability insurance for students: costs and start
- BU tests and ratings
Sources: Section 172 VVG, benefits of the insurer (German law, accessed October 2026); Section 19 VVG, duty to disclose (German law, accessed October 2026)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
