What Bernhard Assekuranz does

Bernhard Assekuranzmakler GmbH, trading as Bernhard Assekuranz, is an independent German insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler) headquartered in Sauerlach near Munich. Founded in 1950 by Michael Bernhard Senior and converted to a brokerage in 1967 by Michael Bernhard Junior, the company passed to managing shareholder Thorsten M. Kuhr in 2011. It serves three customer divisions — Vereine & Verbände (associations and NGOs), Unternehmen/Firmenkunden (commercial and industrial clients), and Privatkunden (private individuals) — and operates across five domestic offices plus a sixth in Hilden/Düsseldorf added via the 2024 Hofmann acquisition. Through wholly owned subsidiaries Bernhard Reiseversicherungsmakler GmbH and Bernhard Mittelstandsmakler GmbH, plus legacy brand Dreher & Hartmann (2018) and 2024 additions Hofmann and GRV, the group holds ~130 staff, 20,000 mandates, and ~60,000 contracts under management.

The product portfolio spans more than 60 categories of liability, property, casualty, health, accident, vehicle, legal-protection, and retirement-planning coverage, including specialized concepts for association board liability (Vermögensschadenhaftpflicht/D&O), group accident, cyber, weather-cancellation, and daycare facilities. The brokerage technology stack is a proprietary digital platform comprising a guided "Versicherungsassistent" advisor, online comparison and direct-purchase flows, a SOS digital claims-reporting tool with photo upload, and segment-specific customer portals (Vereine, Gewerbekunden, Privatkunden, Reise). An exclusive MitgliederBenefits discount platform extends value-added services to association members, and a co-developed Kfz-Mitgliederversicherung with HDI is positioned as member-only vehicle cover.

Revenue is generated primarily through commissions paid by 85 insurer partners (VHV, R+V, Helvetia, Gothaer, Allianz, Zurich, HDI and others), with a sales-led GTM combining field/inside advisory, digital self-service for standard products, and association-network referrals. The company is a 30-year member of BDVM and part of the Leading Brokers United / GGW Group network of 80+ European broker locations managing ~€3B in premium volume, enabling international coverage through Lloyd's of London and US specialty insurers.

Name

Bernhard Assekuranz

Legal name

Bernhard Assekuranzmakler GmbH

Website

https://bernhard-assekuranz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bernhard Assekuranz is an independent German insurance broker (Sauerlach, est. 1950) serving associations/NGOs, SMEs and private clients across six German offices via 85 insurer partnerships, with proprietary digital advisory, claims and customer-portal tools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Brokerage Services

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Insurtech-Enabled Brokerage (Digital Brokers & Aggregators) (FSAEADAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nonprofit / Social Services BOP (FSAJAFAM), Management Liability (D&O/EPL/Fiduciary) (FSAJAGAD), Professional Liability (E&O) (FSAJAGAC)

Keywords

• Insurance brokerage services
• Association liability insurance
• Commercial insurance solutions
• Travel insurance brokerage
• Independent insurance broker

Headquarters

HQ city

Sauerlach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Insurance Brokerage Commissions: As an independent insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler), Bernhard Assekuranz earns commissions from insurance companies for policies placed. They represent customers' interests and are paid by the insurers, not directly by customers. The company works with 85 insurance providers offering comprehensive coverage options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bernhard Assekuranz is an independent insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler) that places and manages insurance policies on behalf of customers using products from 85 partner insurers. The firm operates across three customer segments — associations and non-profit clubs (Vereine & Verbände), commercial/SME businesses (Unternehmen), and private individuals (Privatkunden) — covering liability, property, accident, vehicle, health, legal protection, D&O, cyber, and pension products. Revenue is generated through commissions paid by insurance carriers rather than direct fees from policyholders, supported by proprietary digital tools (Versicherungsassistent, online quote engine, claims reporting) and personal advisory via five German offices plus the Leading Brokers United international network.

Product overview

Bernhard Assekuranz is an independent insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler) operating under the Bernhard Group umbrella, which also includes Bernhard Reiseversicherungsmakler (travel insurance) and Bernhard Mittelstandsmakler (SME insurance). The core offering is a multi-segment insurance brokerage platform organized around three customer divisions: (1) Vereine & Verbände (associations and organizations), (2) Unternehmen (commercial/business customers), and (3) Privatkunden (private individuals). The product portfolio spans liability insurance, property/casualty insurance, health and welfare insurance, vehicle insurance, legal protection, and retirement planning. Digitally, Bernhard Assekuranz operates the Versicherungsassistent (AI-guided advisor), an online quoting and purchase platform (Online-Versicherungsabschluss), an online claims reporting tool (SOS-Schadenmeldung), and a customer portal — all accessible across its three segments. The firm also provides advisory services (Versicherungs-Check-Up needs analysis) and exclusive partner offerings such as the MitgliederBenefits discount platform and a proprietary Kfz-Mitgliederversicherung co-developed with HDI. The portfolio includes over 60 individual insurance product categories with specialized sub-concepts for specific association types (sports clubs, cultural associations, fire departments, schools, daycares) and industry sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bernhard Reise: Specialized travel insurance broker for travel insurances
• Bernhard Tech
• Bernhard Mittelstand
• MitgliederBenefits

Products and services

• Vereinshaftpflichtversicherung (Association Liability Insurance) Primary liability coverage for non-profit associations and clubs, protecting against personal injury and property damage claims arising from association activities.
• Veranstalterhaftpflicht (Event Organizer Liability) Liability insurance for associations hosting events, covering financial risks from accidents or unexpected incidents during organized activities.
• Vermögensschadenhaftpflicht & D&O-Versicherung (Directors & Officers / Financial Loss Liability) Coverage for association/board member personal assets against financial losses arising from breaches of duty in management or operational decisions.
• Gruppenunfallversicherung (Group Accident Insurance) Accident insurance covering all members and volunteers of an association where statutory accident insurance does not apply.
• Cyber-Versicherung (Cyber Insurance for Associations) Cyber insurance for non-profit associations covering post-attack support, first-party damages including business interruption, third-party liability, and data manipulation costs.
• Betriebshaftpflichtversicherung (Commercial Liability Insurance) Liability insurance for commercial and industrial businesses covering third-party damages arising from business operations.
• D&O-Versicherung (Directors & Officers Insurance) Coverage protecting company executives and board members from personal financial loss arising from management decisions.
• Cyber-Risk-Versicherung (Commercial Cyber Risk Insurance) Cyber insurance for businesses covering business interruption, data recovery costs, and liability from cyber incidents.
• Flottenversicherung (Fleet Insurance) Vehicle insurance for business fleets consolidating coverage of multiple commercial vehicles under a single policy with simplified administration.
• Betriebliche Altersvorsorge (Company Pension Scheme) Employer-sponsored occupational pension products enabling salary-conversion arrangements that reduce taxes and social security contributions while providing retirement benefits.
• Betriebliche Krankenversicherung (Company Health Insurance) Supplementary employer-sponsored health insurance complementing statutory coverage and providing additional benefits to employees.
• Bernhard Reiseversicherungsmakler (Travel Insurance Brokerage) Specialized travel insurance brokerage operating as a separate subsidiary within the Bernhard Group, offering worldwide travel protection for vacation and international assignments.
• Bernhard Mittelstandsmakler (SME Insurance Brokerage) SME-focused insurance brokerage subsidiary serving small and medium-sized business clients within the Bernhard Group.
• Kfz-Mitgliederversicherung (Member Vehicle Insurance) Exclusive private vehicle insurance for association members co-developed with HDI, featuring sports equipment coverage up to €1,500 and 36-month new/replacement value compensation.
• Kita-Versicherung (Daycare/Childcare Insurance) Comprehensive insurance package for childcare facilities covering supervision liability, member/child/employee accidents, and closures due to infections or official orders.
• Wetterversicherung (Weather Insurance) Insurance protecting associations against financial losses from event cancellations due to adverse weather, using specific rainfall thresholds for precise risk assessment.
• Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung (Disability Insurance) Income protection insurance for private customers covering policyholders against loss of income due to occupational disability.
• Private Krankenversicherung (Private Health Insurance) Private health insurance offering premium healthcare access for employees, self-employed individuals, and civil servants, providing enhanced medical care versus statutory coverage.
• Schwere Krankheiten Vorsorge (Critical Illness Insurance) Critical illness insurance protecting policyholders and families against financial hardship from serious illnesses, covering up to 80 disease categories.

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Leading Brokers United GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBernhard Assekuranz is part of Leading Brokers United GmbH, one of Germany's largest owner-managed broker networks with over 80 locations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Poland, Spain, and Iceland. Within this network, Bernhard is represented in the GGW Group which comprises over 60 mid-sized, owner-managed partners employing approximately 2,500 staff and managing ~3 billion EUR in premium volume (as of 2026).
• Lloyd's of LondoncoreTechnology or IntegrationDirect cooperation with Lloyd's of London and leading American specialty insurers enables comprehensive international coverage and access to specialized insurance products not commonly available in the German market.
• MitgliederBenefitsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive partnership providing benefit platform for nonprofit customers. Associations and their members gain access to purchasing group discounts of up to 30% on everyday products, leisure, travel, technology, automobiles, fashion, home goods, and financial services.
• Hofmann Versicherungsvermittlungs GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired in January 2024 as part of Bernhard Group expansion. Located in Hilden near Düsseldorf, expanding group presence in North Rhine-Westphalia.
• GRV Assekuranz Makler GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired in January 2024 as part of Bernhard Group expansion strategy.
• Bundesverband Deutscher Versicherungsmakler e.V. (BDVM)coreGTM or Marketing Partner30-year membership in BDVM (Association of German Insurance Brokers). Committed to Code of Conduct and professional standards. Enables industry networking and best practice sharing.
• Insurance Partners (85 insurers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with 85 insurance companies including VHV, R+V, Helvetia, Gothaer, Provincial, ERGO, Zurich, Die Bayerische, Signal Iduna, HDI, Allianz, Versicherungskammer Bayern, ARAG, Axa, Generali, KRAVAG, Württembergische. Enables comprehensive coverage options and competitive pricing for customers.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• MRH Trowe: Frankfurt-based independent insurance broker specializing in mid-market and SME commercial clients. Similar owner-managed model, multi-line product set, and digital brokerage capabilities make it a direct competitor in the German Mittelstand segment.
• Funk Gruppe: Large Hamburg-based independent insurance broker and risk consultant serving mid-market and enterprise German clients. Directly comparable as an independent, owner-managed broker with multi-line commercial expertise and digital advisory tools.
• Südvers Group: Owner-managed German insurance broker network focused on SME and mid-market clients. Comparable in independent broker positioning, German geographic concentration, and growth via partnerships and acquisitions.
• Ecclesia Gruppe: One of Germany's largest independent insurance brokers with strong specialization in associations, churches, nonprofits, and public-sector clients. Closest comparable to Bernhard in segment focus, ownership structure (owner-managed), and German footprint.
• Lurse Versicherungsdienst: Independent German insurance broker with strong focus on employee benefits, pensions, and HR-related insurance products. Comparable independent ownership model and mid-market commercial focus, particularly in betriebliche Altersvorsorge.

Broad incumbents

• Marsh Germany: German operation of global broker Marsh McLennan. Competes for enterprise and mid-market commercial risk and insurance advisory, including specialty lines. Provides a benchmark for what scale and global reach look like in this industry.
• Aon Germany: German arm of global insurance and reinsurance broker Aon. Comparable in product breadth and digital capabilities but operates at vastly larger scale with global resources, competing for the same mid-market and large German commercial accounts.
• Willis Towers Watson (WTW) Germany: Global advisory and brokerage firm with German operations in insurance, risk, and benefits consulting. Competes primarily for enterprise and complex specialty placements rather than Bernhard's association/SME core.
• Howden Germany: International insurance broker with growing German presence through acquisitions. Comparable digital-led growth strategy and broker model, competing for commercial and specialty risks in the German market.

Emerging players

• Wefox: Berlin-based insurtech and digital insurance broker backed by large VC rounds. Represents the digital-native, direct-to-consumer model that could disintermediate traditional brokers like Bernhard in standard personal and SME lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/bernhard_karriere
• Facebookfacebook.com/bernhard.assekuranz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bernhard-assekuranzmakler-gmbh-co-kg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries5 records

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 Bernhard Assekuranz