SüdwestRing Versicherungsmakler

What SüdwestRing Versicherungsmakler does

SüdwestRing Versicherungsmakler GmbH is an independent German insurance brokerage (Versicherungsmakler) founded in 1962 and headquartered in Bodnegg/Rotheidlen near Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg. The firm operates as an intermediary representing insured clients rather than insurers, accessing over 80–100 insurance carriers and thousands of tariff options to source coverage for mid-sized industrial and commercial clients, water/winter sports schools and instructors, yacht and boat owners, travel organizers, and private individuals. Its core technology is a multi-insurer comparison platform combined with the VDWS SafetyTool digital product (€39 and €99 annual subscriptions distributed online via cp.vdws.de/safetytool) for standardized water-sports coverage, while bespoke corporate, sports, and personal lines remain sold through direct advisory.

The firm's revenue model is built primarily on Courtage, the commission paid by insurance carriers for mediated policies, with supplementary fee agreements for "net" products that exclude built-in commissions. The company is family-owned across three generations of the Brenner family and managed by Roman Brenner and Lisa-Marie Brenner (appointed Managing Director on October 1, 2024). It employs approximately 30 people across three client departments (Corporate, Sport, Private) and manages roughly 35,000 active insurance contracts for about 6,000 customers. Distribution runs exclusively through employed qualified advisors (no commissioned sales staff), supplemented by member-driven referrals from the VEMA e.G. cooperative (~400 German brokers), the BDVM industry association, and the VDWS sports-school partnership, with a trilingual DE/EN/IT website supporting European expansion into sports-tourism markets.

The company maintains a wholly-owned subsidiary, SWR Vermögensberatung GmbH, providing fund-based wealth advisory, and offers complementary services including ESG/sustainability consulting (Nachhaltigkeitsberatung) and cyber risk placement. It holds an insurance broker license under §34d (1) GewO (registration D-44LH-GJCAQ-36) issued by IHK Bodensee-Oberschwaben, and was recognized among Focus Spezial's "Top-Versicherungsmaklern 2018" in Baden-Württemberg, with a self-reported customer satisfaction score of 1.4.

Name

SüdwestRing Versicherungsmakler

Legal name

SüdwestRing Versicherungsmakler GmbH

Website

https://suedwestring.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SüdwestRing Versicherungsmakler is a third-generation, family-owned independent German insurance brokerage founded in 1962, headquartered in Bodnegg, Baden-Württemberg. It employs ~30 advisors serving 900+ corporate clients and 10,000+ private customers, intermediating ~35,000 contracts across 80+ insurers with a specialty in sports-school and Mittelstand commercial lines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Weingarten

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance brokerage commissions (Courtage): The company's primary revenue stream is commission (Courtage) paid by insurance companies for the mediation of insurance contracts. As an insurance broker, SüdwestRing represents the interests of the insured party rather than the insurer. The commission is a standard component of insurance premiums and is paid by the insurance company, not the client. For net products (where mediation fees are not included in the premium), a separate fee agreement with the client is established. The company also generates revenue through a subsidiary, SWR Vermögensberatung GmbH, for fund-based savings and wealth management services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SüdwestRing Versicherungsmakler is an independent insurance broker that filters optimal coverage from over 100 insurance companies and thousands of tariff options for businesses, private customers, and associations. The firm offers tailored insurance solutions across corporate, sports school, and personal lines, supplemented by specialized packages (e.g., VDWS SafetyTool) developed with industry associations.

Product overview

SüdwestRing Versicherungsmakler is an independent insurance brokerage operating as a unified platform that accesses over 100 insurance companies and thousands of tariff options. The core offering consists of brokerage and advisory services for corporate clients (Firmenversicherungen), sports schools and instructors (including watersports, wintersports, outdoor), private individuals (Privatversicherungen), and specialized products like the VDWS SafetyTool for watersports enthusiasts. The company provides a modular insurance architecture where customers can access standardized products (liability, hull, health) through specific product lines, with offerings tailored to watersports schools, winter sports, outdoor operations, travel operators, yacht/boat owners, and individual sports participants. Integration of ESG/sustainability considerations into the advisory process represents an additional service layer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VDWS SafetyTool: Insurance package for water sports enthusiasts including windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, kayaking, and related activities. Offered in two tiers: SafetyTool (€39/year) for renters and SafetyTool PLUS (€99/year) for comprehensive coverage including hull and liability insurance.
• VDWS SafetyTool PLUS
• SüdwestRing Aktuell

Products and services

• SüdwestRing Core Insurance Brokerage Platform Independent insurance brokerage service that filters optimal coverage from over 100 insurance companies and thousands of tariff options for businesses, private customers, and associations. Services include risk analysis, contract negotiation, claims management, and ongoing policy optimization.
• VDWS SafetyTool Standardized insurance package (€39/year) for water sports enthusiasts covering liability for own and rented equipment and accident insurance for activities such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, SUP, kayaking, and snowkiting.
• VDWS SafetyTool PLUS Premium insurance package (€99/year) for water sports enthusiasts providing hull insurance for own sports equipment up to €2,500 (€3,000 from 2nd year), hull coverage for rented motorboats up to 45 kW and sailing boats up to 15 m up to €1,500, and liability coverage for own/rented equipment with family coverage and €5 million personal injury and property damage sum.
• Watersports School Liability Insurance Modular business liability insurance for water sports schools covering instruction, boat rental, sailing tours, travel organization, retail, gastronomy, and accommodation. Includes personal instructor liability for employees and freelancers, student liability, boat liability, and event coverage.
• Winter Sports School Liability Insurance Modular liability insurance for ski, snowboard, cross-country, and snowkite schools covering instruction, equipment rental, ski workshop with binding adjustment risk, and cafeteria operations.
• Outdoor Operations Liability Insurance Business liability insurance for outdoor operations covering hiking, climbing, rafting, canyoning, bike rental, and bike tours with additional modules for gastronomy and accommodation.
• Professional Liability for Sports Teachers/Trainers Professional liability insurance for self-employed teachers at private sports schools for water sports, winter sports, outdoor, bike, and fitness instruction, including private family liability and windsurf/kitesurf liability.
• Schulkasko (School Hull/Property Insurance) Comprehensive property and hull insurance for water sports schools covering school boats, catamarans, windsurfing and kitesurfing equipment, rescue boats, sails, wetsuits, training materials, tools, and storage facilities against fire, water damage, storm, theft, and collision risks.
• Expatriate Health Insurance Overseas health insurance for VDWS members working abroad long-term, with temporary home country coverage. Includes 100% outpatient and inpatient treatment, unlimited dental, and medical repatriation up to €10,000 for intercontinental transport.
• Yacht/Boat Insurance Insurance coverage for sailboats, sailing yachts, catamarans, motor yachts, motorboats, and houseboats for both private and commercial use in water sports schools or charter operations.
• Charter Insurance Insurance for private skippers on chartered boats including skipper liability, hull protection for rental materials, and accident insurance with rescue costs up to €5,000. Extended charter solutions from partner YACHT-POOL include skipper liability up to €10 million, skipper legal protection, deposit insurance, and charter consequential damage coverage.
• ESG/Sustainability Advisory Advisory service integrating sustainability risks (ESG) into insurance consulting, considering environmental, social, and governance factors when selecting insurance providers and products.
• Travel Operator Liability Insurance Special liability insurance for travel operators covering person and property damage including air transport risk, plus financial loss liability insurance for travel operators.
• Sports Equipment Insurance Hull and liability insurance for watersports equipment including windsurfing, kitesurfing, snowkite, SUP, kayaks, canoes, and rental motorboats up to 45 kW with €5 million coverage sum.
• Cyber Insurance Cyber risk insurance covering IT forensics, legal advice, information costs, credit monitoring, crisis management, PR consulting, business interruption, PCI penalties, ransom payments, recovery costs, and security improvements.
• Corporate/Business Insurance Portfolio (Firmenversicherungen) Comprehensive business insurance portfolio including cyber risks, D&O, legal protection, assembly insurance, receivables/bonds, company health insurance, occupational retirement, machinery/electronics insurance, transport insurance, operational/business liability, photovoltaic/solar, property insurance, business interruption, and fleet policies for mid-sized industrial and commercial companies.
• Private/Personal Insurance Portfolio (Privatversicherungen) Personal insurance products including private liability, drones, pet liability, pet health, yacht, auto, household contents, e-bike, building, homeowner liability, photovoltaic, construction liability, travel, legal protection, accident, survivor protection, occupational disability, life insurance, dental supplementary, private health, inpatient/outpatient supplementary, nursing care, retirement, direct insurance, and Riester/Rürup pensions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Customer satisfaction rating of 1.4 (German school grading scale, 1 being best)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VEMA e.G. (Versicherungs-Makler-Genossenschaft e.G.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSüdwestRing uses the services of VEMA e.G., a cooperative pool of approximately 400 (self-reported: 1,000) bundesweit (nationwide) tätigen (active) Versicherungsmaklern (insurance brokers). Members and their service offerings are noted for very high quality. The partnership provides access to cooperative services, tools, and shared resources that enhance broker capabilities.
• VDWS (Verband Deutscher Wassersport Schulen e.V.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSüdwestRing has developed specialized insurance packages in close cooperation with VDWS (German Water Sports Schools Association). The VDWS SafetyTool insurance products (SafetyTool at €39/year and SafetyTool PLUS at €99/year) are insurance packages specifically designed for water sports enthusiasts, schools, and instructors. The partnership covers hull, liability, and accident insurance for windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, kayaking, and other water sports.
• YACHT-POOLcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYACHT-POOL provides extended charter insurance solutions for private skippers on chartered yachts. SüdwestRing offers YACHT-POOL products as recommended partner for customers needing higher insurance and coverage sums, including skipper liability up to €10 million, skipper legal protection, deposit insurance (hull protection), and charter consequential damage coverage. Available for skippers in Germany, Austria, and other EU countries.
• BDVM (Bundesverband Deutscher Versicherungsmakler e.V.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSüdwestRing is a member of the BDVM (Federal Association of German Insurance Brokers). Membership requires meeting high quality requirements for employee training and customer interest protection as defined by the association. The association logo is displayed on the company website as a trust signal.
• AXA Versicherung AG, KölnminorOthersAXA Versicherung AG, Cologne is identified as the insurance provider for the VDWS SafetyTool insurance products. The insurance is mediated by SüdwestRing Versicherungsmakler GmbH and claims are handled through the VDWS office.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Funk Gruppe: Funk is one of Germany's largest independent, family-owned insurance and risk brokers, headquartered in Hamburg. Comparable to SüdwestRing as an independent German Versicherungsmakler serving corporate and private clients across multiple specialty lines, with a similar employment-based advisory model.
• Ecclesia Gruppe: Ecclesia is a major German independent insurance broker specializing in corporate and institutional clients (hospitals, churches, social services, Mittelstand). Comparable to SüdwestRing in serving mid-sized enterprises with complex multi-line programs, but at substantially larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• MRH Trowe Group: MRH Trowe is a German specialty insurance broker serving mid-market and corporate clients, with private equity backing. Comparable to SüdwestRing in targeting Mittelstand companies and specialty segments, though larger and with broader geographic reach.
• Helmsauer Gruppe: Helmsauer is a German insurance broker and risk consultant focused on healthcare, corporate, and private clients, with a southern German presence. Comparable to SüdwestRing as an independent mid-sized broker with similar client mix and regional orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Aon Germany: Aon is a global insurance and reinsurance broker with a substantial German operation serving large corporate clients. Comparable to SüdwestRing only in the corporate/cross-border insurance programs segment; not a competitor for SüdwestRing's SME Mittelstand and sports school niche.
• Marsh Germany: Marsh is a global insurance broker with German operations serving large enterprises and specialty risks. Overlaps with SüdwestRing in industrial insurance programs and risk advisory, but operates at much larger scale and does not focus on Mittelstand or sports school niches.
• GDV Dienstleistungs-GmbH: GDV DL is the service subsidiary of the German Insurance Association (GDV), serving insurance companies. It is comparable to SüdwestRing only as part of the broader German insurance distribution ecosystem; not a direct competitor but a contextual incumbent in the market.

Emerging players

• CHECK24 Vergleichsportal: CHECK24 is Germany's leading digital insurance aggregator and price comparison platform. Comparable to SüdwestRing in mediating insurance products to consumers, but operating at massive scale via a digital self-service model that competes primarily for standardized personal lines.
• Pantaenius Versicherungen: Pantaenius is a German specialist broker for yacht and watercraft insurance. Comparable to SüdwestRing specifically in the nautical/yacht insurance segment where SüdwestRing offers hull and charter products via YACHT-POOL partnership; Pantaenius is a more direct specialist competitor in this niche.

Others

• BDVM (Bundesverband Deutscher Versicherungsmakler): BDVM is the Federal Association of German Insurance Brokers of which SüdwestRing is a member. Not a competitor but a peer trade association whose members are direct comparables to SüdwestRing in business model, scale, and regional focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/s%C3%BCdwestring-versicherungsmakler-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SüdwestRing Versicherungsmakler