What is a deductible for legal insurance?
A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your legal insurance begins to cover eligible costs. It applies only to approved claims where financial benefits are provided for legal support. Free phone consultations and denied claims do not affect the deductible.
How does the deductible work for policies purchased on or before December 17, 2024?
For policies purchased on or before December 17, 2024, deductible rules depend on your previous legal insurance status in Germany:
If you have not held legal insurance in Germany in the past five years, your deductible starts at €300 in the first year. It decreases by €100 each claim-free year until it reaches €0.
If you make a claim that results in a payout, your deductible resets to €500. It then decreases by €100 each claim-free year until it reaches €0.
If you previously held legal insurance in Germany, your starting deductible ranges from €0 to €300 depending on your previous policy terms and claims history. Provide accurate information about prior claims when signing up.
What deductible applies to policies purchased after December 17, 2024?
For policies purchased after December 17, 2024, the deductible is fixed:
For claims submitted directly through your Feather account before consulting a lawyer, the deductible is €150.
For claims submitted after hiring a lawyer without obtaining pre-approval, the deductible is €300.
How should I submit claims to minimize my deductible?
Always submit claims directly through your Feather account before hiring a lawyer to confirm coverage and benefit from the lower €150 deductible. Submitting claims after hiring a lawyer without pre-approval results in a higher €300 deductible.
When does the deductible apply?
Your deductible only applies after a claim has been approved and only if your legal costs go beyond a certain amount.
In most approved cases, the first in-person consultation with a lawyer is fully covered (no deductible applied) as long as the cost stays at or below €250. This means if your legal issue is resolved quickly and affordably, you may not have to pay anything out of pocket.
However, your deductible will kick in and you’ll be responsible for paying part of the costs, if:
The initial consultation costs more than €250
Or your case requires additional legal work (like further meetings, court filings, etc.)
When your claim is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation letter. This letter will clearly state:
Whether a deductible applies
How much it is
When it will begin to apply
So you’ll always know what to expect before moving forward with any legal costs!