Dementia: Insurance policies need to be adjusted

Check insurance

Without these clauses, dementia can be expensive

In the case of dementia, many insurance policies only have limited coverage. Which contracts relatives should check and adapt now.

When relatives suffer from dementia, many organizational matters have to be taken care of. Existing insurance contracts should definitely be put to the test. Because some protection does not apply, especially when it comes to dementia.

“Without the right clauses, it can be expensive,” says Philipp Wolf, insurance expert at the Rhineland-Palatinate Consumer Center. With a few adjustments, the risk can be hedged well, says Wolf. These three points are particularly important:

An additional regulation can change that. If relatives can include a person suffering from dementia in their insurance coverage, they should ensure that a so-called dementia clause is included. This is possible, for example, if they live in the same home or can remain insured as a person staying in a nursing home.

According to the consumer advice center, people living alone with advanced dementia have no opportunity to benefit from such a clause.

Candle left on, house fire started? Household contents insurance protects your belongings if damage occurs as a result of such accidents. Particularly in the case of dementia sufferers, such incidents are viewed as gross negligence and insurers can reduce benefits.

However, it is often possible to waive the objection of gross negligence for an additional amount. Even if, despite this regulation, the benefit is usually capped at a certain maximum amount, insured persons should make use of it. Read here what exactly household contents insurance pays for.

Private accident insurance can be a useful insurance policy under certain circumstances. According to the consumer advice center, policies only reach their limits when it comes to dementia. If an accident occurs due to confusion or impaired consciousness, this is often not insured.