All information in this article is for general guidance only. For decisions regarding benefits or claims, only the insurance terms and conditions in force at the time apply. In case of doubt, the terms and conditions always take precedence.
If an employee is absent due to illness for an extended period, questions often arise—especially if there is a bike leasing contract in place.
After the statutory continued payment of wages expires, the leasing installment can no longer be financed as usual through salary conversion. The employer remains obligated to pay the leasing installment but can no longer withhold it from the employee’s gross salary.
In this situation, the employer’s loss-of-income insurance (AGAV) provides coverage: it assumes the due leasing installments under the contractual conditions starting from the full cessation of continued wage payment.
When does the employer’s loss-of-income insurance (AGAV) provide coverage?
In the insured event of long-term illness, the AGAV covers the agreed leasing installments according to the contractual insurance conditions. The bike leasing service reimburses the installments retroactively once the employee resumes work and the employer has reported this accordingly.
The leasing contract remains unchanged throughout the entire illness period. The company bike stays with the employee and can continue to be used.
Early termination of the leasing contract is excluded in the insured event of long-term illness.
Are there any costs for the employee during the illness?
The employee does not incur any additional costs during the duration of the long-term illness.
Please note, however: Different regulations may arise from internal agreements, for example from a works agreement or an addendum to the transfer contract. These may specify how the leasing installments are to be borne in the event of the employee’s absence and should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
What obligations does the employer have?
To claim benefits from the AGAV, the employer must fulfill certain cooperation obligations:
Report the insured event
The long-term illness is reported via the Bike Leasing Portal.
A step-by-step guide and all required information can be found in the following article:
How employers report an insured event.
Observe reporting deadlines
The insured event should be reported within 90 days after the full cessation of continued wage payment. If the report is late, the insurer may, under certain circumstances, make a proportional reduction.
Submit evidence
For the review of the insured event, appropriate evidence is required that fully documents the complete cessation of continued wage payment as well as the period of incapacity to work without gaps.
This includes, in particular:
- Certificates of incapacity to work,
- Hospital or rehabilitation certificates,
- Data from the electronic certificate of incapacity to work (eAU).
After retrieving the eAU, the employer must transmit the relevant information in a suitable form, for example as a screenshot or PDF from their own system.
The submitted evidence must fully document the period of incapacity to work and be clearly assignable to the affected employee.
Please also note: Resumption of work (fully or partially) must be reported within 30 days.
A complete and timely process ensures that reimbursement can proceed smoothly.
When is there no entitlement under the AGAV?
The AGAV covers a wide range of disruptions and provides financial relief. However, in certain clearly defined situations, there is no entitlement to benefits.
No entitlement exists in particular:
- for incapacity to work that existed before the company bike was taken over,
- for intentionally caused illnesses or accidents,
- for detoxification measures or rehabilitation treatments,
- for illnesses or accidents resulting from war-related effects or recognized military service disabilities.
FAQ / Additional notes
Who reports the insured event?
The employer reports the case via the Bike Leasing Portal.
More information can be found here: How employers report an insured event
Does the company bike have to be returned?
No. In the case of a long-term illness, the company bike remains with the employee.
Can the company bike be used during the illness?
Yes. The company bike can continue to be used.
When should the insured event be reported?
The employer must report the insured event within 90 days after the cessation of continued wage payment.
What happens if the report is late?
A late report can lead to proportional reductions in reimbursement.
Are there any costs for the employee during the illness?
Generally, no additional costs arise during the illness. However, different regulations may result from individual agreements (e.g., works agreement or addendum to the transfer contract).
When does reimbursement of the leasing installments occur?
The bike leasing service reimburses the installments retroactively in a lump sum once the employee resumes work and the employer has submitted the notification of recovery.
What happens in the case of reintegration?
Reintegration measures without wage payment can still be covered under the insurance.
What happens if the illness progresses to disability?
In addition to the long-term illness, reporting a second insured event of disability is required for further review.
More information can be found here: What happens in the event of disability/service incapacity?
Can the company bike be returned early due to a longer illness?
No. Early return of the bike is excluded in the case of a long-term illness.
Where can I find the complete list of benefits?
Insurance for employers
Translation Note: This article has been translated using automatic translation software to provide the reader with a basic understanding of the content. Despite reasonable efforts to provide an accurate translation, we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
If there are any questions regarding the accuracy of the information in the translated article, please refer to the German version of the article, which is the official version.