Residual debt insurance plays a crucial role for borrowers in protecting themselves against unforeseen events such as unemployment, illness or death. Many lenders used to offer this insurance as a one-off payment to cover the remaining debt in the event of the borrower’s death or unemployment. However, this practice has now evolved and more and more credit card providers are offering continuous coverage through monthly contributions. But how does this change affect the “cooling off period” of residual debt insurance?

The need for residual debt insurance

Before we delve into the evolution of residual debt insurance, it is important to understand its importance. Particularly during times of economic uncertainty, a sudden job loss or serious illness can cause borrowers to struggle to meet their loan obligations. In such cases, residual debt insurance can help alleviate the financial burden by taking over the remaining balance of the loan or covering the installment payments for a certain period of time.

The traditional one-off payment and the evolution to standard contributions

It used to be common for lenders to offer their customers the opportunity to purchase residual debt insurance as a one-off payment. This meant that the borrower paid a one-time premium to be covered for the entire term of the loan. However, this method had some disadvantages. On the one hand, the one-off payment could represent a significant financial burden, especially for borrowers with a limited budget. In addition, the duration of coverage was often limited, and in the event of early loan repayment, the borrower could not receive reimbursement for unused insurance.
In recent years, many credit card providers have begun to offer an alternative option: residual debt insurance as part of a regular premium plan. Instead of paying a large sum upfront, borrowers now pay monthly premiums to ensure ongoing protection. This method has several advantages. It allows costs to be spread evenly over the life of the loan and makes insurance affordable for a wider range of borrowers. In addition, coverage can often be made more flexible to suit individual needs.

The solution for the cooling off period?

The cooling off period is the period of time between the conclusion of an insurance policy and the time at which the insurance comes into force. For residual debt insurance, this period can vary depending on the provider. While traditional single payment plans may not have a cooling off period, regular contribution plans may provide one to prevent fraud and abuse.

Whether standard contribution plans are the solution for the cooling off period depends on various factors. On the one hand, monthly contributions can help customers feel continuously covered without having to wait for a certain period of time. On the other hand, the flexibility of standard contribution plans may result in customers purchasing and canceling insurance more frequently, which increases administrative costs and may result in higher premiums.

Nationwide, almost three out of ten consumer loans are covered by residual debt insurance. This illustrates the widespread use of residual debt insurance and underlines its importance in the credit market. Nevertheless, it is important that consumers understand the terms and costs of these insurance policies and are aware that they have time to reconsider their decision during the cooling off period.

Overall, the cooling off period is an important protective measure for consumers to ensure they make informed decisions and do not purchase insurance without consideration. The move from one-off payments to standard premiums shows how the insurance industry is adapting to changing needs, but it is important that this change does not come at the expense of consumer protection.

Solution for your company

With our “Trigger & Automation Engine“ we fit exactly into the requirement profile to ensure the cooling off period and at the same time and reliably address interested parties at the right time via automation. Our system not only adheres to the timing but also optimizes various messages based on available parameters in order to address users with the message that has the highest probability of completion.

Contact us to find out more!

Further links:

• German Bundestag – Future Financing Act
• Residual debt insurance blog post
• Banking Association BFACH Article