Bundesverband Deutscher Versicherungskaufleute

The Bundesverband Deutscher Versicherungskaufleute e. V. (BVK) is a German professional and entrepreneurs' association for self-employed insurance and building-society (Bausparkasse) intermediaries. Founded in 1901, it is one of the oldest representative bodies of the German insurance distribution profession. Its membership is open to anyone who works full-time and independently as an insurance or building-society intermediary and who recognises the association's professional rules and guidelines. This includes single-company representatives (Einfirmenvertreter), multi-tied agents (Mehrfachagenten) and brokers (Makler). The association currently has around 13,000 members, and since the establishment of the Gemeinsames Haus more than 60 intermediary associations have acquired organisational membership in the BVK. The BVK's stated purpose is to represent and promote the professional, economic, legal and social interests of self-employed insurance intermediaries. Its tasks include informing authorities, public bodies, political parties, associations, intermediary organisations and the press on professional matters; providing information and expert opinions; combating unfair competition; representing the profession internationally; advising members on professional matters; providing active legal assistance to members; and offering continuing education. The association operates a Bildungsakademie (education academy) founded in 2000, a service company (BVK-Dienstleistungsgesellschaft mbH) founded in 2003, and a Brussels office opened in 2022 to represent members' interests at EU level. The BVK is active in policy debates on retirement provision (Altersvorsorge), occupational pensions (bAV), private health insurance (PKV), and the regulation of insurance distribution, including commission and clawback (Stornohaftung) rules. It publishes position papers and press releases, organises events such as the DKM trade fair presence and the Bonner Erklärung, and runs the Unternehmer-Ass award. In 2026 the association celebrates its 125th anniversary in Berlin and has published a comprehensive association chronicle. Its historical names include Bund der Versicherungsvertreter (1901–1934), Fachgruppe Versicherungsvertreter und Versicherungsmakler (1934–1945), Wirtschaftsverband Versicherungsvermittlung (1945–1960), before adopting its current name in 1966.

The Bundesverband Deutscher Versicherungskaufleute (BVK) traces its origins to 1901, when it was founded as the Bund der Versicherungsvertreter. In its early decades it served as a representative body for insurance agents in the German Empire and later the Weimar Republic. Between 1934 and 1945, under National Socialist rule, the organisation was reorganised and renamed Fachgruppe Versicherungsvertreter und Versicherungsmakler, reflecting the forced coordination (Gleichschaltung) of professional associations of the era. After the Second World War, from 1945 to 1960, it operated as the Wirtschaftsverband Versicherungsvermittlung, rebuilding its structures in post-war West Germany. In 1960 it adopted the name Bundesverband Deutscher Versicherungskaufleute e. V., which it still bears today (the Wikipedia article notes the renaming as 1960, while the association's own history page lists the renaming as 1966; both dates appear in the sources). In 1977 the association expanded its remit to include the representation of building-society representatives (Bausparkassenvertreter), broadening its membership base beyond insurance agents. In 1998 it founded the Gemeinsames Haus, a joint house in which the BVK, the Arbeitskreis Vertretervereinigungen der Deutschen Assekuranz (AVV) and other intermediary associations cooperate. Since then, more than 60 intermediary associations have acquired organisational membership in the BVK. In 2000 the BVK-Bildungsakademie (education academy) was founded, and in 2001 the association celebrated its 100th anniversary in Berlin, publishing a chronicle for the occasion. In 2003 the BVK-Dienstleistungsgesellschaft mbH was established as a service company. In 2011 the association initiated the "Ehrbarer Kaufmann" (honourable merchant) project, and in 2012 it founded the Verein Ehrbare Versicherungskaufleute e.V. (VEVK). In 2013 the BVK was a founding member of the "gut beraten" initiative. In 2022 it opened a Brussels office to represent the interests of German insurance intermediaries at the European Union level. In 2026 the association celebrates its 125th anniversary in Berlin and has published a comprehensive association chronicle (PDF, 13.11 MB). Throughout its history the BVK has functioned as a professional and entrepreneurs' association (Berufsvertretungs- und Unternehmerverband) for self-employed insurance and building-society intermediaries. Its membership includes single-company representatives, multi-tied agents and brokers. The association's stated goals are to represent and promote the professional, economic, legal and social interests of self-employed insurance intermediaries. Its activities include informing authorities, public bodies, political parties, associations, intermediary organisations and the press on professional matters; issuing information and expert opinions; combating unfair competition; representing the profession internationally; advising members on professional matters; providing active legal assistance; and offering continuing education. In recent years the BVK has been particularly active in debates on retirement provision reform, occupational pensions, private health insurance, and the regulation of insurance distribution, including commission clawback (Stornohaftung) rules and the EU's Retail Investment Strategy (Kleinanlegerstrategie).

• 2026

  125th anniversary celebrated in Berlin; published association chronicle (PDF, 13.11 MB)

• 2022

  Opened Brussels office

• 2013

  Founding member of the "gut beraten" initiative

• 2012

  Founded Verein Ehrbare Versicherungskaufleute e.V. (VEVK)

• 2011

  Initiated the "Ehrbarer Kaufmann" project

• 2003

  Founded BVK-Dienstleistungsgesellschaft mbH

• 2001

  100th anniversary celebrated in Berlin; published a chronicle

• 2000

  Founded the BVK-Bildungsakademie (education academy)

• 1998

  Founded the Gemeinsames Haus for cooperation with AVV and other intermediary associations

• 1977

  Extended remit to represent building-society representatives (Bausparkassenvertreter)

• 1960

  Renamed Bundesverband Deutscher Versicherungskaufleute e. V. (association history page lists 1966)

• 1945

  Operated as Wirtschaftsverband Versicherungsvermittlung (until 1960)

• 1934

  Renamed Fachgruppe Versicherungsvertreter und Versicherungsmakler (until 1945)

• 1901

  Founded as Bund der Versicherungsvertreter

Professional and entrepreneurs' association for self-employed insurance and building-society intermediaries in Germany, combining lobbying, legal support and education.

• BVK-Bildungsakademie

  Education academy offering continuing education and training for insurance intermediaries, founded in 2000.

• BVK-Dienstleistungsgesellschaft mbH

  Service company founded in 2003.

• Gemeinsames Haus

  Joint house founded in 1998 where BVK, AVV and intermediary associations cooperate.

• Unternehmer-Ass award

  Award for entrepreneurs; applications for 2026 opened on 30 August 2026.

1. 1BVK - Bundesverband Deutscher Versicherungskaufleute e.V.bvk.de
2. 2Verbandsgeschichte - BVKbvk.de
3. 3Bundesverband Deutscher Versicherungskaufleutede.wikipedia.org
4. 4Bundesverband Deutscher Versicherungskaufleutewikidata.org