Dental Supplement Insurance: Is It Worth Signing Up?
Dental supplement insurance is one of the most popular private supplemental insurances in Germany. About 17 million Germans have one — but is it really worth the premiums? The answer depends on your individual circumstances. In this article, we calculate specifically when dental supplement insurance pays off and what to look for when signing up.
How Does Dental Supplement Insurance Work?
Dental supplement insurance covers a portion of costs that exceed the statutory insurance subsidy. Good plans reimburse 70-90 percent of dental prosthetic costs. Monthly premiums vary between 10 and 60 euros depending on age, coverage level, and insurer. Important: the insurance pays on the out-of-pocket portion, not the total cost.
Calculation Example: Implant With and Without Supplement Insurance
Consider a dental implant with total costs of 3,100 euros. The GKV pays approximately 286 euros (fixed subsidy with 10 years bonus booklet). Without supplement insurance, the out-of-pocket is 2,814 euros. With supplement insurance covering 80 percent of remaining costs, the out-of-pocket drops to approximately 563 euros — a saving of 2,251 euros.
Against this stand the insurance premiums: at 30 euros monthly, you pay 1,800 euros in premiums over five years. If you need one implant in this period, you have saved 451 euros net (2,251 euros reimbursement minus 1,800 euros premiums). With two implants or additional crowns, the calculation becomes even more favorable for the insurance.
What to Look For When Signing Up
Waiting period: most plans have an eight-month waiting period during which no benefits are paid. Some plans offer reduced or no waiting periods but charge higher premiums. Annual caps: in the first three to five years, there are often benefit limits (e.g., maximum 1,000 euros in the first year, 2,000 in the second). Full benefits are only available after the staggered period.
Reimbursement level: pay attention to reimbursement for prosthetics (crowns, bridges, implants, dentures) and for dental treatments (fillings, root canals). The best plans reimburse 80-90 percent for prosthetics and 100 percent for treatments. Implants: check whether the plan covers implants and whether there is a maximum per implant.
When Supplement Insurance Is Not Worth It
If you already have a specific treatment planned or your dentist has already documented a finding, it is too late: already known or planned treatments are not covered by insurance. Also, if your teeth are in very good condition and you only want standard care, the statutory subsidy may be sufficient.
The Golden Rule
Sign up for dental supplement insurance while your teeth are still healthy and you anticipate wanting premium dental work in the future. The younger you are when signing up, the lower the premiums. Compare multiple plans, check implant and prosthetic coverage, and review the annual caps in the first years.
Conclusion
For most people who prefer premium dental work, dental supplement insurance pays off financially. Premiums of 20-40 euros monthly can already pay for themselves with a single crown or bridge. The key is timing: sign up before problems arise.