Question 1

Why do I need dental insurance?

Accepted Answer

In recent years, the statutory health insurance provision for dental treatment has been for the most part withdrawn. The portion of the cost which you yourself have to pay depends on the treatment, and escalates quickly into quadruple figures. In most cases, your dentist will be the first to tell you that a procedure is necessary, and by then it’s already too late.
This can almost completely use up your savings. A dental insurance policy is a sensible choice for anyone who doesn’t want to have to decide between their savings and their teeth. If you’re not put off by a potential price tag of 3 000 € for dental operations, or already have private health insurance, then you don’t need our dental insurance :-).

Question 2

What kind of costs would I have to pay if I decide to do without dental insurance?

Accepted Answer

The exact costs depend on your dentist. We’ve included a list of the most common dental procedures and their costs below. These prices serve as a guide only.
Costs for:
Amalgam filling = 0 €
Professional clean = 50 - 120 €
Plastic (or composite) filling = 100 - 300 €
Ceramic crown = 400 - 700 €
Root canal = 300 - 1000 €
Inlay (ceramic) = 500 - 1000 €
Bridge = 800 - 1500 €
Implant with ceramic crown = 2500 - 3500 €

Question 3

What should I be aware of if I require dental work?

Accepted Answer

For lengthier procedures we recommend that you ask your dentist for a “Heil- und Kostenplan” (schedule of treatment and the attached costs). In this schedule, the dentist lays out clearly which procedures will be carried out and what each procedure will cost. This schedule has two parts - one for the statutory health insurance and one for private health insurance providers. You’ll first need to hand in the former part to your statutory health insurance provider, who will generally, once checks have been made, give their approval. This approval and both parts of the “Heil- und Kostenplan” need to be submitted using our app. It’s important that we receive the “Heil- und Kostenplan” in good time before treatment begins. We’ll then give you an estimate of how much we’ll be able to reimburse. Then the treatment can be carried out, you can send us the receipts and finally you’ll get your money back.

Question 4

When will my policy become active?

Accepted Answer

Your policy will be valid from the day after you purchase it. For example: You buy your policy on the 1st of February. You’re then covered against any damages that may occur from the 2nd of February. This also means that your coverage will not be valid for any treatments that occur before the 2nd of February.

Question 5

Will you cover the costs of procedures which my dentist has already advised/begun?

Accepted Answer

This question is one of the most frequently asked, and the answer is a clear “No”. Nearly all available insurance policies insure against possible financial losses in the future. If it’s already certain that a cost will arise, or if a cost has already arisen, it cannot be insured against.

Question 6

Do I have a minimum contract period?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our Getsafe Dental insurance has a minimum contract period of two years. After these two years, you can cancel your dental insurance at the end of each month.

Question 7

Does my premium change – and if so, how?

Accepted Answer

From the age of 18, your premium will slightly increase. There’s a simple reason for this: The older you are, the more likely it is you will require more expensive treatment. But there’s no need to fret about this. Generally speaking, your premium increases every five years and is planned in advance. This means you always know what’s coming. You can find out more about changes to your premium in your insurance policy document.

Question 8

What is the dental cost scale?

Accepted Answer

In the first four years that you’re insured, the amount of costs you can claim for treatment is limited. You can find the dental cost scale in your insurance policy document. However, if you have an accident, the dental cost scale is not applicable and you can claim the full amount for your treatment.

Question 9

Does my policy also cover treatments abroad?

Accepted Answer

In principle, dental costs are also covered abroad. However, the costs and services must be comparable to those of German dentists. Since this is difficult to determine in advance, we recommend that you submit a treatment and cost plan to us via the Getsafe app at least two weeks before your dental appointment abroad (submitting in English is fine). Our colleagues in the claims department can double check everything and tell you whether the costs will be covered.

Question 10

When might I be reimbursed for less than I was expecting to be?

Accepted Answer

All dental services that aren’t covered by public health insurance are regulated by the GOZ (Die Gebührenordnung für Zahnärzte, or German Dental Fee Schedule). The GOZ is a legal framework that determines the payment of dental services. The degree of difficulty and time required for a treatment are reflected in the so-called increase ratio. Your dentist has to indicate an increase ratio on your invoice for each treatment they’ve provided you.

Standard treatments are generally billed at a 2.3 increase ratio. If the increase ratio for your treatment is 2.3, the number you see on your invoice will be 2.3 x the regulated cost for your treatment as determined by the GOZ. If your treatment is more complicated, your increase ratio may be higher.

Getsafe’s supplemental dental insurance pays up to a maximum increase ratio of 3.5. In exceptional cases, dentists may charge an even higher rate, in which case you would pay the difference.

Tip: It can be worth comparing offers from different dental practices, as fees can vary depending on how a dentist bills.

Fillings

Root canals

Periodontal treatment

Tooth replacement

Treatment before your coverage begins

People with private health insurance

What kind of costs would I have to pay if I decide to go without dental insurance?