This is how it continues
Two insurers merge
09/18/2026 – 2:31 p.mReading time: 1 min.
The Ostangler Brandgilde and Schwarzwälder Versicherung merge. What this means for customers.
They are located in opposite corners of Germany, but in the future they will operate under one roof: the Ostangler Brandgilde from Kappeln (Schleswig-Holstein) and the Schwarzwälder Versicherung have merged. Both companies announced this this week.
Both insurers had already worked closely together in the past. With the merger, administrative processes and structures will now be brought together and better coordinated, according to a statement. However, nothing should change for customers – all existing contracts should remain valid.
This is the second merger within two years for the Ostangler Brandgilde. Last year, the insurance company from near Flensburg announced that it wanted to take over the state damage aid from Bad Fallingbostel (Lower Saxony).
Since the takeover, State Damage Assistance has acted as a so-called underwriter in the company. This means: She looks after the customers, manages the contracts and settles the damage. However, the financial risk is borne by the insurer behind it, i.e. the Ostangler Brandgilde. The same model is also being considered for Schwarzwälder Versicherung, which will remain present under its name.
Jens-Uwe Rohwer, CEO of the Ostangler Brandgilde, sees the insurer strengthened by the merger. This is primarily important in view of a difficult market environment. The insurance company had to pay significantly more money to settle the damage. The reason for this is not more damage, but the increased repair costs, due to higher craftsman wages and material costs. For example, the costs for demolition and clean-up work have more than doubled in some cases.
