Corporate Travel
Wellness-Trips
company outing bg insured
Company outing covered by BG insurance? Avoid liability traps!
Are you planning a company outing and want to ensure that your employees are fully protected? The question of whether a company outing is insured by the employers' liability insurance association is crucial. Find out under which conditions the statutory accident insurance applies and which aspects you must absolutely consider to minimise liability risks. Do you need assistance in planning a legally compliant company outing? Contact us for non-binding advice.
The topic, briefly and concisely
A safe company outing promotes team spirit and employee retention. The statutory accident insurance (BG) protects your employees in the event of accidents if the event is considered a company group event.
The management plays a crucial role in ensuring insurance coverage. Active promotion, participation in planning, and the presence of a responsible person are important. With proper planning, downtime can be reduced by up to 40%.
Pay attention to the exclusions and limitations of insurance coverage, especially concerning alcohol or drug consumption and private activities. Inform your staff comprehensively to avoid liability risks and increase employee motivation by up to 30%.
Find out when the statutory accident insurance applies during company outings and what criteria must be met to ensure your employees are optimally protected. Avoid costly mistakes and ensure a safe and carefree excursion!
What is a Company Outing and Why is Insurance Important?
A company outing is more than just a pleasant gathering; it is an essential tool for promoting team spirit and employee retention. It offers a welcome break from the daily work routine and can boost motivation and employee engagement. But what happens if an accident occurs during such an outing? This is where the statutory accident insurance (BG) comes into play. It protects your employees in the event of accidents during the company outing and covers the costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation. It is therefore crucial that you, as an employer, know the key aspects of the company outing insurance to optimally protect your employees and avoid liability risks.
The statutory accident insurance applies when certain conditions are met. This includes the requirement that the outing is regarded as a corporate community event that is approved and promoted by the company management. The insurance coverage extends to activities serving the purpose of the event, as well as the direct journey to and from the outing location. However, there are also exclusions and restrictions that you should be aware of to avoid unpleasant surprises. For example, accidents caused by alcohol or drug consumption are generally not covered. Additionally, private activities that go beyond the official part of the outing are not included in the insurance coverage. A clear overview of these aspects is essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing.
At GoTuro, we place great emphasis on ensuring that our clients can enjoy their trips without worries. That's why we are happy to assist you in planning and conducting your company outing, so that it not only becomes a complete success but also meets all the criteria for insurance coverage. This way, you can ensure your employees are optimally protected and you, as an employer, are legally secure.
BG Protection: Strengthening Corporate Community
The Company-Sponsored Event as a Foundation
The key to insurance coverage through the Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) lies in classifying the excursion as a company-sponsored event. This means that team cohesion must be the primary focus. The BGHW criteria define this more precisely: The event must be initiated and approved by company management and open to all employees (or at least to a relevant department). It must not be a purely private leisure activity or a pure incentive trip where the reward for performance is the main focus. Such events are generally not covered by statutory accident insurance.
It's important to clearly differentiate the company outing from events primarily serving private interests. The BGRCI emphasises that events organised exclusively for a specific group of employees (e.g. a skiing trip only for sports enthusiasts with low participation) may not be considered a company-sponsored event. In such cases, there is no insurance protection by the BG. The participation rate plays a crucial role here. If only a small percentage of the workforce participates, this may indicate that the event does not qualify as a company-sponsored event.
At GoTuro, we ensure that when planning your company-sponsored event, all criteria for insurance coverage are met. We are happy to advise you on the selection of suitable activities and ensure that the event promotes team cohesion and is actively supported by company management. This way, you can be confident that your employees are optimally protected in the event of an accident.
Management: Actively organise company outing
The Role of Corporate Management
The corporate management plays a crucial role in ensuring insurance coverage for the company outing. It is not enough just to approve the outing; the corporate management must actively promote it. This can be done through explicit approval or by establishing an appropriate corporate culture, as the UKH emphasises. The active involvement in the planning and execution of the outing is also of great importance, as the VBG highlights. By actively involving the corporate management, it is signalled that the company outing is an important part of the corporate community and not just a private enjoyment.
While the presence of executives or representatives is not mandatory, it is nevertheless advantageous, as Haufe explains. It is important that a responsible person is present until the official end, as the BGRCI emphasises. This person is responsible for the safety of employees and ensures that the event runs smoothly. Their presence signals to employees that the company outing is taken seriously by the corporate management and that their safety is a priority.
We at GoTuro support you in actively shaping your company outing. We advise you on involving corporate management and ensure that a responsible person is present throughout the event. This way, you as an employer can fulfil your responsibilities and provide your employees with a safe and enjoyable outing.
BG Insurance: These activities are covered
Scope of Company Outing Insurance
The scope of the company outing insurance covers all activities that serve the purpose of the event. This primarily includes the promotion of team spirit and employee engagement, as highlighted by the BGHW. It involves standard activities such as eating, drinking and swimming, provided these are accessible to all participants, as explained by the VBG. It is important that the activities are designed to enhance team cohesion rather than merely serve entertainment purposes.
The journey to and from the company outing (travel accident) is also covered by the statutory accident insurance. This means that the direct route to and from the event is insured, as confirmed by Haufe, the BGHW, and the VBG. However, there are exceptions for private detours or delays, as emphasized by the BGRCI. For example, if an employee runs personal errands or stays longer than two hours after the official end of the outing, the insurance cover on the way home is no longer guaranteed.
Temporary workers are also entitled to the same insurance cover as permanent employees. Transparent-beraten.de points out that temporary workers have the same rights and obligations as permanent employees. This means they are also protected by the statutory accident insurance in the event of accidents during the company outing.
At GoTuro, we ensure that all activities within your company outing meet the criteria for insurance cover. We advise you on selecting suitable activities and ensure that the journey to and from the outing is properly organized. This ensures that all your employees, including temporary workers, are optimally protected.
Alcohol and Co.: When BG Protection Ceases
Exclusions and Limitations of Insurance Coverage
There are certain situations in which insurance coverage through the statutory accident insurance ceases to apply. One of the most important limitations concerns accidents caused by alcohol or drug consumption. Gross negligence and intoxication exclude insurance coverage, as emphasised by the BGHW and the BGRCI. Therefore, if an employee causes an accident due to excessive alcohol consumption, the BG can refuse benefits. It is important as an employer to promote responsible alcohol consumption during the company outing.
Private activities and extensions of the company outing are also generally not covered by the statutory accident insurance. This means that there is no insurance coverage for private ventures after the official end, as explained by Haufe and transparent-beraten.de. The BGRCI refers to the "2-hour rule" in this context. If an employee undertakes private activities after the official end of the outing and stays longer than two hours, then the insurance coverage is no longer provided on the way home.
Furthermore, certain groups of people are excluded from insurance coverage. Family members, former employees, and external guests are not insured, as highlighted by Haufe, the BGHW, schmid-rechtsanwalt-ulm.de, and the VBG. Also, events with a high risk potential, such as extreme sports, are generally excluded, as they are not suitable for all employees, as explained by the BGHW and the BGETEM.
At GoTuro, we provide comprehensive advice on the exclusions and limitations of insurance coverage. We help you organise your company outing in a way that ensures your employees are optimally protected and you, as an employer, are legally safeguarded.
Department Events: Make the most of occupational safety
Special Case Scenarios
Even company outings for individual departments or teams can be covered by statutory accident insurance under certain conditions. This is possible if the corporate management agrees and participation is open to all employees of the department, as explained by BGHW and BGETEM. It is important that the corporate management actively supports the event and that participation is not restricted to a certain group of employees.
Company sports and similar activities are only covered by statutory accident insurance if the sport primarily serves to balance work-related stress, is held regularly, and has a clear connection to the company, as emphasised by UKH. If the sport is mainly competitive or only takes place irregularly, there is no insurance cover.
Accidents related to the preparation and follow-up of a company outing may also be covered by statutory accident insurance. This applies to activities directly related to the organisation and implementation of the company outing, as explained by VBG. For example, if an employee has an accident while preparing for the outing, they may claim benefits from the BG.
We at GoTuro support you in planning and executing company outings for individual departments or teams. We advise you on meeting the criteria for insurance cover and ensure that all employees are optimally protected.
Claims case: Correct procedure secures entitlements
What to Do in Case of Damage?
In the event of an accident during the company outing, it is important that you, as the employer, and your employees respond correctly to secure claims for benefits from the statutory accident insurance. First and foremost, accidents resulting in more than three days of incapacity for work must be reported, as emphasized by the BGRCI. The report must be made immediately to the relevant professional association.
It is important to carefully document the course of the accident and the injuries. This includes preparing an accident report, collecting witness statements, and securing evidence. The more precise the documentation, the better the chances of smooth processing of the damage case.
The main contacts and responsible parties in the event of damage are the company management, works council, safety officer, and the relevant professional association. These parties can assist you with reporting the accident, documenting the course of damage, and applying for benefits.
The benefits of statutory accident insurance include, among other things, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation payments. The BG covers the costs for necessary medical care and supports the injured person in restoring their ability to work. It can also make compensation payments if the injured person is permanently impaired due to the accident.
We at GoTuro support you in the event of damage. We advise you on reporting the accident, documenting the course of damage, and applying for benefits. This way, you can ensure that your employees receive the benefits they are entitled to.
Safety measures: Preventing accidents
Prevention and Safety on a Company Outing
The best way to minimise the risks of a company outing is through comprehensive prevention. A thorough risk assessment and the implementation of appropriate safety measures are essential to identify and eliminate potential hazards. This can include checking the safety of the chosen activities, providing protective equipment, or establishing rules of conduct.
Informing and training employees also play a key role in accident prevention. Employees should be informed about potential risks and the rules of conduct during the company outing. This can be done through a brief introduction before the outing begins or by providing informational materials.
The responsibility of the company management is to ensure a safe and accident-free company outing. This involves careful planning and organisation of the outing, conducting a risk assessment, implementing appropriate safety measures, and informing and training employees.
We at GoTuro support you in the prevention and safety of your company outing. We advise you on the risk assessment, the implementation of appropriate safety measures, and informing and training your employees. This way, you can ensure that your company outing is a complete success and that your employees return home safe and sound.
BG Protection: Strengthening corporate culture
More useful links
The BGHW defines the criteria for company social events and the associated insurance coverage.
The BGRCI explains when events do not qualify as company social events and therefore do not have insurance coverage.
The UKH emphasizes the importance of corporate culture for insurance coverage at company celebrations.
The VBG highlights the active involvement of company management in the planning and execution of company outings.
BGETEM provides information on when you are insured at a company social event.
FAQ
What is a company outing and why is insurance important?
A company outing is an event to promote team spirit and employee engagement. The statutory accident insurance (BG) protects your employees from accidents during the outing.
When does statutory accident insurance apply to a company outing?
The statutory accident insurance applies when the outing is considered a corporate group event that is approved and supported by the company management. The insurance coverage extends to activities that serve the purpose of the event, as well as the direct route to and from the outing location.
What are the BGHW criteria for a corporate group event?
The event must be initiated and approved by the company management, participation must be open to all employees (or at least a relevant department), and camaraderie must be the focus.
What role does the company management play in ensuring insurance coverage?
The company management must actively promote the outing, be involved in planning and execution, and ensure that a responsible person is present until the official end.
Which activities are covered by the company outing insurance?
Covered are all activities that serve the purpose of the event (promoting team spirit), as well as the direct route to and from the outing. Standard activities like eating, drinking, and swimming are also insured, provided they are accessible to everyone.
When does coverage by statutory accident insurance lapse?
Insurance coverage lapses in the event of accidents due to alcohol or drug consumption, during private activities after the official end of the outing, and for family members, former employees, and external guests.
Are there special regulations for outings of individual departments?
Yes, outings of individual departments or teams can also be covered under the statutory accident insurance under certain conditions. This is possible if the company management agrees and participation is open to all department employees.
What to do in the event of damage?
Accidents leading to incapacity for work of more than three days must be reported. The course of the accident and injuries must be carefully documented. The main contacts are the company management, the works council, the safety officer, and the responsible trade association.
