Company law & insurances

Choosing the right insurance depends heavily on your startup's business. The following applies to all founders: Health and pension insurance are mandatory.

The most important insurances for startups:

Business liability insurance
- Covers: Damage caused by the company to third parties
- Useful for: Consultancy firms, IT service providers

Contents insurance
- Covers: Damage to business equipment, e.g. technical devices and supplies
- Useful for: Startups with expensive equipment or stock

Legal expenses insurance
- Covers: Costs for legal disputes, e.g. with customers, suppliers or employees
- Useful for: All companies that enter into contractual obligations

Health insurance
- Covers: Health cases of the founders
- Useful for: All entrepreneurs, health insurance is mandatory

Accident insurance
- Covers: Financial consequences of accidents at work
- Useful for: Startups with employees, founders may need private accident insurance

Business interruption insurance
- Covers: Loss of income due to business interruptions
- Useful for: Almost all startups

Transport insurance:
- Covers: Transport damage to goods and equipment
- Useful for: Startups that regularly transport goods

Basic rules of company law
Comprehensive information on how to find a company name for your business and what to consider when choosing one
Hamburg Chamber of Commerce (in german)

Insurances
Overview of business and personal insurance policies that can prevent potential damage
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Digital publication on tax topics
Information on insurance: business and personal risks, choosing the right form of insurance, risk management behaviour in the event of a claim, which independent insurance consultancies are available
Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy

Insurance for startups
Overview and information on the various insurance policies for founders to protect themselves against entrepreneurial and personal risks
Hamburg Chamber of Commerce

Consulting & Coaching

Cyber Law Clinic – University of Hamburg
Focus, among other things, on startup and corporate law, supervised by specialist lawyers
→ Initial legal assessment possible, often also feedback on draft contracts
more info about the service

Student Internet Legal Advice
In cooperation with the Cyber Law Clinic of the Faculty of Law (University of Hamburg) - this service offers the opportunity to discuss legal questions related to the internet.
get more info

Bucerius Law Clinic
Free legal advice provided by students under lawyer supervision
→ Mainly initial consultations, but very solid
info about the offer

Lawyer search service
If a fee-based consultation with a lawyer is desired, this organisation provides support by naming up to three lawyers with the desired focus of interest
Hanseatic Bar Association

SocialPizza
Techniker Krankenkasse offers information and free advice on all aspects of insurance and health protection with its Social Pizza for startups. Here you will find answers on everything from health in startups to insuring employees abroad.
SocialPizza for Startups

Last accessed: May 2026