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Compensation for Pain and Suffering in Accident Insurance—What Policyholders Should Know
Will my DEVK accident insurance pay compensation for pain and suffering after an accident?
– This is a question many insured individuals ask themselves after an accident. Whether at home, while playing sports, or during leisure activities, an accident often results in pain, financial burdens, and long-term limitations.
But does DEVK's private accident insurance really pay compensation for pain and suffering?
In this in-depth blog post, we explain in a clear and transparent way:
- What exactly is meant by“compensation for pain and suffering”?
- When DEVK Accident Insurance Pays Compensation for Pain and Suffering
- Which plan includes this service?
Why is DEVK's compensation for pain and suffering a real advantage?
- Payment regardless of who caused the accident (if applicable)
- Quick Financial Assistance After an Accident
- Make everyday life easier after an accident
What does "compensation for pain and suffering" actually mean?
In the traditional legal sense, compensation for pain and suffering is compensation for non-pecuniary damages such as:
physical pain
emotional distress
Impacts on quality of life
This compensation for pain and suffering is usually paid by the person who caused the accident or that person's liability insurance, for example, following a traffic accident.
👉 Private accident insurance policies generally do not cover statutory compensation for pain and suffering.
The DEVK goes a step further in this regard.
Does DEVK Accident Insurance pay compensation for pain and suffering?
Yes—DEVK pays compensation for pain and suffering as an additional benefit under the contract.
Important to know:
👉 This is not statutory compensation for pain and suffering, but rather a benefit provided by private accident insurance.
This means:
no question of blame
No need for someone to cause the accident
Benefits are based solely on the DEVK rate schedule
When does DEVK pay compensation for pain and suffering?
DEVK Accident Insurance does not pay a lump-sum compensation for pain and suffering for every accident, but only for certain, clearly defined injuries. The key requirement is that the injury be an insured consequence of an accident and that the appropriate plan (Comfort or Premium) have been purchased.
Typical cases in which compensation for pain and suffering may be awarded include, among others:
Broken bones, such as a broken arm or leg
Severe bruises and contusions that are associated with intense pain and prolonged impairment
Burns that require medical treatment or hospitalization
The amount of the payment is not negotiated on a case-by-case basis, but is determined according to DEVK’s internal compensation-for-pain-and-suffering schedule. This schedule assigns fixed payment amounts to specific injuries. This ensures that, from the outset, it is clear to policyholders when a payment will be made and how much it will be.
What exactly does compensation for pain and suffering look like under DEVK accident insurance?
DEVK distinguishes between two types, depending on how the contract is structured:
Compensation for Pain and Suffering in Connection with Disability Benefits (in the case of financial benefits for permanent impairments resulting from an accident)
If a basic disability benefit amount has been agreed upon (as of January 2026):
Comfort Plan:
Compensation for pain and suffering up to 1% of the basic disability benefitPremium Plan:
Compensation for pain and suffering up to 3% of the basic disability benefit
Examples Based on the Table of Compensation for Pain and Suffering
Broken Bones
Shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee joints – 80%
Comfort:
1,000 € × 80% = 800 €Premium:
3,000 € × 80% = 2,400 €
Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine – 60%
Comfort:
1,000 € × 60% = 600 €Premium:
3,000 € × 60% = 1,800 €
Finger(s), toes – 10%
Comfort:
1,000 € × 10% = 100 €Premium:
3,000 € × 10% = 300 €
Why disability benefits are usually much more important
As understandable as the desire for compensation for pain and suffering may be:
In practice, it turns out that the long-term consequences of an accident represent the greatest financial burden. Disability benefits are at the heart of every private accident insurance policy. They come into effect when an accident results in permanent physical or mental impairments.
✔ Compensation for pain and suffering: a useful addition for certain injuries
✔ Disability benefits: essential for true financial security
The costs of accessibility modifications, therapies, assistive devices, or loss of income can only be covered by a disability benefit that is sufficiently high.