Which insurance obligations apply during temporary protection gaps?

During conversions, maintenance or repairs, security systems may be temporarily restricted. In addition to the technical interim solution, the insurance contract then also has to be checked. It may contain requirements on notifications, on the operation of protective systems and on precautions that have to be taken into account during planning.

Clarify contractual requirements before the work starts

A changed risk situation can constitute an increase in risk. Section 23 of the German Insurance Contract Act (Versicherungsvertragsgesetz, VVG) distinguishes between increases in risk that the policyholder brings about or permits and those that occur independently. Depending on the case, prior consent or immediate notification is required. Not every temporary change is automatically a legally relevant increase in risk [1].

Contractual obligations may apply in addition. Those responsible should therefore clarify which protective systems are assumed and which rules have been agreed for shutdowns, faults and construction work. Possible exceptions for temporary deviations are also part of the check.

Coordinate substitute measures to match the protective task

The GDV model clauses for business interruption insurance show how specific such requirements can become: for certain systems, they provide for maintaining functionality, precautions in the event of failures, and obligations to report and repair. Other clauses deal with temporary deviations during construction work. These provisions take effect through being agreed accordingly in the contract; they do not automatically apply to every business [2].

A fictitious example: during a façade renovation, part of the intruder alarm system is switched off. An interim solution then has to do more than watch the area; it also has to cover alarm handling and response. Where necessary, the period and the substitute measures have to be agreed with the insurer. Simply setting up a mobile camera does not make it a recognised substitute.

Make implementation and restoration traceable

For the interim phase, it is advisable to document the affected functions, responsibilities, checks and agreed measures. Once the work is complete, the protective functions are tested and any necessary confirmations are given.

Breaches can have consequences under insurance law. However, a complete loss of cover does not automatically follow from every mistake: what matters includes the contractual provision, fault and causation [3]. A technically suitable interim solution should therefore also be checked for conformity with the specific insurance requirements.

Context: research as of 1 November 2026. General orientation, not a coverage review of any specific policy; the specific policy remains decisive. The example and the organisational recommendations are editorial conclusions. Technical suitability, regulatory permissibility and acceptance under the insurance contract each have to be clarified. No automatic recognition by insurers, confirmation of cover or premium savings for mobile systems is claimed.