What Does School Accident Insurance Cover During Sports Lessons in Germany?

In Germany, school accident insurance (Unfallversicherung) is an essential protection system for children throughout their education. But what happens when a child gets injured during physical education class? Is it covered? And does the insurance also apply to after-school training or external sports activities? This article explains in detail what is – and is not – covered during school sports.

What is school accident insurance?

School accident insurance is a mandatory state-funded system that covers all children enrolled in:

• kindergartens

• schools

• public educational institutions

It protects students during:

• regular school hours

• official school events

• the journey to and from school

Is PE class covered?

Yes, fully.
Any injury occurring during official PE (Sportunterricht) under teacher supervision is covered.

Coverage includes:

• injuries during exercises or games

• falls, sprains, collisions

• accidents involving sports equipment

• ambulance transport and emergency care

• physiotherapy if required

• long-term compensation for permanent injury

What about non-curricular sports?

1. School AGs and extracurricular sports groups

If the activity is organized by the school and supervised, it is covered.

2. School trips and outdoor sports

If part of an official school event, insurance coverage also applies.

Is training at a sports club covered?

No.
If the child trains at a sports club or private sports center, the club’s insurance applies, not the school insurance.
Every German sports club must provide accident insurance through the local sports federation.

What is NOT covered?

• Unsupervised free play during breaks

• Accidents on the way home if the child deviates from the usual school route

• Injuries during private or unrelated activities

What to do in case of an accident?

1. Inform the school immediately – a formal accident report must be filed.

2. Visit a D-Arzt (special accident doctor).

3. Document all treatments.

4. For serious cases, the BG for Education and Research takes over.

Conclusion

School accident insurance provides strong protection, especially during PE lessons, where injuries are more likely. As long as activities are officially organized and supervised, students are fully covered. For private sports activities, parents must ensure the sports club offers proper insurance.