Before you cancel: Check your life insurance policy.
Years of contributions—and in the end, only a fraction of them. We'll check for free to see if there's more to be had.
"I'll take a look at your contract myself."Mark Götzl · Specializing in this field since 2018
Here's how your free check works.Here's how your check works
Three steps. Then we'll take it from there.
- 6 Quick Questions Almost everything is clickable.
- Upload Documents PDF or photo, up to 20 MB per file.
- View results Usually within 7–10 days.
Where can I find my policy number?
- In the upper right corner of the first page of your policy.
- In the letterhead of every letter from your insurer.
- Also in the annual values report.
- Sometimes it is called "Contract Number" or "Contract No.".
- Hyphens and slashes are included.
Where can I find the contract start date?
- On the policy, it is listed as “Insurance Start Date.”
- Usually on page 1, right below your name.
- Sometimes it is called “Start of Coverage.”
- Do not use the date of your signature.
- Do you only know the year? Then enter 01/01 and the year.
Where can I find the contract value?
- On your insurer's annual statement of financial results.
- There, it is called “surrender value” or “account balance.”
- Take the most recent letter, usually from the beginning of the year.
- That is not the total of your contributions.
- A rough estimate is enough. We'll check the rest.
What does “objection filed” mean?
- "Objection" means: You have objected to the contract in writing.
- This is done once, by letter or email to the insurer.
- A termination is not the same as an objection.
- Have you never done that? If not, select “No.”
- If in doubt, say “No.” We’ll check your records.
How do I convert a paper document to a PDF?
- One photo is all it takes: Take a picture of each page with your cell phone—we'll automatically turn it into a PDF.
- Multiple pages? Just select all the photos at once, and they'll be added to a single document.
- Make sure the lighting is good and that the entire page is in the frame.
- iPhone: You can also scan a document directly in the Notes app.
- Android: The Google Drive app has a scan feature (Plus icon → Scan).
Here’s how the service works
Everything you need to know about the process, required documents, and costs—at a glance. Click on a question to see the answer.
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Submit DocumentsDay 0Please send us the policy, the notice of status, and—if available—the application form with the cancellation policy.
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Free Assessment7–10 daysOur partner law firm will assess whether the contract processing service is a good fit for you. This service is free of charge and non-binding.
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Sign the Power of Attorney2 minutesIf the result is positive, you'll receive your personal link via email and sign digitally. No printing, no scanning.
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Termination & Payroll Review4–6 weeksThe law firm handles the termination in a legally sound manner, manages all correspondence with the insurer, and reviews the insurer's settlement statement.
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Withdrawal of Fundsafter billingThe insurer pays you directly. Only then is the 4.9% fee due.
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Expert Opinions & Additional ClaimsafterwardA financial analysis will determine the exact amount of your claim. If you are entitled to more, the law firm will pursue the additional amount.
Here's what we need from you
- Insurance Certificate (Policy) with Terms and Conditions
- Application with Cancellation Policy—if applicable
- Current Account Statement with Redemption Value
- For terminated contracts: Settlement by the insurer
- Your contact information (email & phone)
We'll take care of that for you
- Free review by our partner law firm
- Legally Valid Termination & Correspondence (4–6 Weeks)
- Verification of the Insurer's Billing
- Financial Analysis Report
- Request for a Refund if You Are Entitled to More
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Fundamentals 4
What happens to my request?
Your information and documents will be sent to our partner, Verbraucherhilfe24. There, they will review your case free of charge to determine whether your life or pension insurance was billed incorrectly or whether you have a right of rescission. If the contract settlement service is worthwhile, our partner law firm, ABN Partner, Rechtsanwalt & Steuerberater PartG mbB, will handle the legal proceedings—including termination, review of billing, expert opinions, and, if necessary, claims for additional payments.
Is it worth having my contract reviewed as well?
Generally speaking, yes. We review whole life insurance policies, private pension plans, and unit-linked life and pension insurance policies—regardless of whether your policy is still in effect, has been placed in a premium-free status, or has already been canceled.
It is particularly worthwhile to review contracts entered into between 1994 and 2007. However, even more recent contracts may be subject to review due to incorrect cancellation instructions. Contracts under the “ Riester ” and “ Rürup ” programs are reviewed as separate product lines.
Pension funds, support funds, and other occupational retirement benefit schemes outside the traditional direct insurance framework are not eligible.
What does “contract settlement service” mean—and how does it differ from a termination?
If you cancel your policy, the insurer will pay you only the surrender value—which is often significantly less than what you’ve paid in. With the policy settlement service, your policy is legally treated as if it had never existed: You’ll receive a refund of the premiums you’ve paid, plus compensation for the use of the policy, minus a portion to account for the risk coverage you’ve received.
In practice, the result is often significantly higher than the surrender value. The law firm’s actuarial report will determine whether this is the case for you and, if so, by how much.
Why is the surrender value from my insurance company so low?
Because acquisition and distribution costs are spread out over the first few years of the contract (“Zillmerized”), cancellation fees apply, and statements of account are often incorrect. The Federal Court of Justice has ruled in favor of consumers in several decisions—including those regarding the minimum surrender value and the “perpetual” right of rescission in cases of inadequate disclosure. This is precisely where statement verification and expert opinions come into play.
Documents & Submission 5
What documents do I need?
To perform a check, we need:
- Insurance Certificate (Policy), including the Terms and Conditions of Insurance
- Application with cancellation policy, if applicable
- Current account statement or statement of account balance with surrender value
- For contracts that have already been canceled, you will also receive a statement from your insurer
- Your contact information
The power of attorney for the law firm will be obtained digitally only after the application has been approved. You do not need to prepare anything in advance.
What if I no longer have my policy or application?
No problem. The documents you already have—such as a status report with the contract number—are often sufficient for the initial review. Once you’ve granted power of attorney, our partner law firm can request any missing documents directly from your insurer.
In what format should I upload the documents?
As a PDF, with each file not exceeding the maximum size specified above. A photo or scan is perfectly sufficient, as long as all pages are legible. Many scanning apps on cell phones save files directly as PDFs.
How can I find out how far along I am in my exam?
After reviewing your application, we’ll contact you promptly by email or phone, briefly go over the key details, and walk you through the next steps. If we have any questions or if any documents are missing, we’ll also contact you directly.
How long does the whole thing take?
The initial review usually takes 7–10 days. The total time until payment depends on your insurer: cancellation and payment of the surrender value typically occur within a few weeks. If an additional claim or a revocation is involved, the process can take 1 to 15 months, depending on the other party’s response.
Costs & Security 6
How much will the exam cost me?
Nothing. The assessment is free and non-binding—regardless of the result. You are under no obligation whatsoever.
How much does the contract processing service cost, and is it worth it?
4.9% of the contract balance paid out —purely performance-based, with no upfront payment. If no payment is made, you pay nothing. There are no different options, no “self-termination,” and no reinvestment option—just this one approach.
What is included in the 4.9% fee?
Included are:
- Legally sound termination handled by our partner law firm and all communication with your insurer
- Reviewing Your Insurer's Billing Statement
- A financial analysis report that quantifies your actual claim
- Assessing Whether Filing an Amended Return Is Worthwhile for You
- Tax Settlement Pursuant to Section 20 of the Income Tax Act (EStG)
- Personalized Support
What happens if, according to the expert opinion, I'm entitled to more?
The law firm will then assert the additional claim against your insurer—out of court and, if necessary, in court. A separate success fee applies to the additional proceeds recovered through litigation:
- 20–30% of the additional proceeds if you have private legal expense insurance (your private legal expense insurance covers the costs; you may still be responsible for the deductible)
- 50% of the additional proceeds if a litigation funder covers the costs—with no financial risk to you
The 4.9% applies to your paid-out contract balance, while the profit-sharing applies exclusively to the additional surplus. You will be informed in advance and can decide for yourself whether you want to take this step. If there is no additional surplus, no fees will apply.
What's the payoff, roughly?
Three examples from closed cases:
- Whole life insurance, 18 years, €100 per month: approximately €5,227 more than the cash value
- Private pension insurance, 20 years, €150 per month: about €13,408 more
- Unit-linked life insurance, 22 years, €200 per month: approximately €23,937 more
These are sample calculations. The result always depends on the specific case and can only be determined after an audit.
Do I bear any financial risk?
No. The review is free of charge; fees are only incurred upon payment. If a back payment claim is enforced through the courts, the costs are covered by your private legal expense insurance or a litigation financier, who is only compensated if the case is successful. If, contrary to expectations, the case is lost, you will not incur any costs.
Process & Contacts 5
Do I have to handle the termination myself?
No. The partner law firm handles all legal matters—notice of termination, communication with the insurer, review of billing, expert opinions, and additional claims—entirely on your behalf. You don’t have to worry about any legal issues yourself.
What do I personally need to do?
Very little: Provide your documents, digitally sign the power of attorney after it has been approved (link sent via email; takes about two minutes), and, if necessary, answer any questions from the law firm.
How do I get my money?
After the review, you will be notified by email or phone, and if the result is positive, you will immediately receive a link to the power of attorney. Your insurer will pay the funds directly to you. The 4.9% fee will be billed afterward on a success-based and transparent basis.
What happens to my data?
Your information will be used solely for the purpose of reviewing and processing your case and will be shared only with the partner law firm handling your case. For more details, please see our Privacy Policy.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
Feel free to contact me directly at any time—by phone or email. I’ll guide you through the entire process and will be your dedicated point of contact.
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* Key figures from our partner Verbraucherhilfe24 (Conrevo GmbH).