Basic liability insurance is one of the innovative pension solutions. The difference to "classic" occupational disability insurance: It does not examine whether and to what extent the insured person can still practise his profession. The insurer shall perform immediately if one loses certain basic physical abilities as a result of illness or accident.

Pension benefits are eligible for basic ability insurance if, in medical assessment, one is or will not be able to pursue one of the basic physical abilities of level A or three abilities of level B for at least twelve months – this is usually the contractual conditions of the basic ability insurers. Level A abilities include seeing, speaking, hearing and walking, using hands and independent orientation. Level B includes climbing stairs, kneeling and bending, sitting, standing, grasping, moving the arms, lifting and carrying, as well as driving. Before taking out basic sustainability insurance, the insurer examines the health status of the applicant with a questionnaire, if necessary also by taking questions to the attending physicians.

Due to the clearly defined performance requirements, disputes with the insurer are rare. Nevertheless, basic sustainability insurance is not a full substitute for genuine occupational disability protection, because not all possible causes of occupational disability, such as mental suffering, are insured. However, basic sustainability insurance is an affordable alternative for all those who do not want to afford full occupational disability protection, because the contributions to basic sustainability protection are comparatively favourable.