⚖️ Step 1: Know the legal deadlines – your VVG knowledge

speed up the , you need to know the insurer's obligations.

The deadline according to $\S 14$ para. 1 VVG

According to $Section\; 14$ Paragraph 1 of the German Insurance Contract Act (VVG), the insurer must "without undue delay" as soon as the investigations are completed. Although "without undue delay" only means "without culpable delay" and does not specify an exact deadline, it serves as an important guideline for the processing time.

The deadline according to $\S 14$ para. 2 VVG – your leverage!

Here's where it gets concrete for you: If the claim is not settled within one month of being reported, the insurer must inform you in writing and explain why the settlement has not yet been completed.

• One-month deadline: The insurer must take action after you report the damage.

• Duty to provide information: If the insurer ignores this duty and does not inform you why they are still investigating, this constitutes a breach of duty that entitles you to the next escalation stage.

🚨 Step 2: Escalation and building pressure on the insurer

If the 1-month period has expired and you have not received a satisfactory response, it is time for targeted countermeasures.

1. Setting a grace period (The “yellow card”)

Send the insurer a registered letter (or an email with read receipt) citing $Section\; 14\; of\; the$ German Insurance Contract Act (VVG). Set a clear, final deadline for settlement or a detailed explanation – for example, 14 days .

📝 Important for customers in North Rhine-Westphalia: Setting a deadline serves to put the insurer in default, which forms the basis for subsequent default interest.

2. The path to the ombudsman

The ombudsman is a free mediation service that often brings movement to deadlocked cases before you have to take legal action.

• Advantage: free of charge for you and interrupts the statute of limitations on your claim. It is the ideal preliminary step to legal action if your insurer in North Rhine-Westphalia is stonewalling.

3. The lawsuit (The “red card”)

If the insurer does not respond to the extension or rejects the claim without justification, the only remaining option is to go to court.

• Default and interest: By setting a deadline (step 1), you put the insurer in default. This entitles you default interest on the outstanding amount of the claim from this point onwards.

• Our role in North Rhine-Westphalia: As your local contact in North Rhine-Westphalia, we examine the reasons for rejection, gather all necessary evidence, and pursue your claim consistently and with a regional focus in court. We support you from the initial report to the successful settlement of your claim .

💡 Conclusion: Don't accept it, take action!

Don't be discouraged! If your insurer doesn't pay or delays claims settlement , you now know your rights under $Section\; 14\; of\; the$ Contract Act (VVG).

Have you suffered damage in North Rhine-Westphalia? Take advantage of our expertise. We'll take the stress out of correspondence and ensure your claim is settled quickly and completely.

📝 Sample letter: Setting a grace period and notice of default

Shipping method: By registered mail with return receipt

Subject: Notice of default and setting of a grace period pursuant to $Section\; 14\; of$ the German Insurance Contract Act (VVG) regarding your claim

Our claim number: [Your insurer's claim number] Your insurance number: [Your policy number] Date of claim: [Date of the incident]

Ladies and Gentlemen

I hereby refer to my claim dated [date of claim] (Claim number: [Your claim number]).

You have been aware of the claim notification and all supporting documents since [date of original notification] and have received them. Pursuant to $Section\; 14$ Paragraph 2 of the German Insurance Contract Act (VVG), you are obligated to provide me with a reasoned statement regarding the status of the claim settlement within one month.

Since [number of weeks/months] have passed since the report and you have neither settled the claim nor provided a satisfactory explanation for the delay, I hereby give you a final deadline of 14 days to complete the processing and settlement of the claim.

The deadline therefore ends on [date: 14 days from the date of dispatch].

Should you allow this deadline to pass without taking action, your company will be in default of performance as of [date of deadline]. This entitles me, pursuant to $Section\; 286$ of the German Civil Code (BGB), to claim default interest and to immediately contact the insurance ombudsman and initiate legal proceedings, including filing a lawsuit.

I expect your binding and timely statement.

Best regards,

[Your handwritten signature]

Important note: Be sure to send this letter by registered mail with return receipt . This is the only way to have legally valid proof that the insurer received the letter and the associated deadline.