In this post, we’ll help you compare Feather and Ottonova.
So, if you’re wondering…
- Feather vs. Ottonova, what’s the difference?
- Is one better than the other?
- Are any of them worth the cost?
Then, you’re asking the right questions.
Of course, we have some bias in the matter… So, instead of praising Feather’s merits, we’ll stick to the facts:
- What each company provides
- What their customers think
- Explain each policy in detail
- And ultimately, help you make an informed decision for yourself.
Let’s get started.
Who do customers recommend?
It’s clear: Feather wins more customers over than Ottonova.
On Trustpilot, Feather stands out with a 4.8 out of 5 rating, while Ottonova has a lower rating of 3.2.
Here’s how their reviews compare as of November 2024:
| Rating | Feather | Ottonova |
| 5-star | 94% | 62% |
| 4-star | 3% | 4% |
| 3-star | <1% | 3% |
| 2-star | <1% | 5% |
| 1-star | 2% | 26% |
These figures say it all.
With over 1 in 4 Ottonova customers giving a 1-star review, there are clear issues.
However, looking at lifetime reviews can only tell us so much.
Reviews from the past 12 months often show a clearer picture of current service quality. Here’s the breakdown:
- Ottonova received 8 five-star reviews and 9 one-star reviews.
- Feather received 143 (not a typo) five-star reviews and only 5 one-star reviews.
We’ll let you interpret these figures (in fact, you should head to Trustpilot and see what real customers think), but it’s easy to see which company has earned customers’ trust.
Which types of insurance are available at Feather and Ottonova?
Feather and Ottonova offer different types of insurance. Feather covers many types, while Ottonova focuses on health-related coverage.
Here’s a quick comparison of what each offers:
| Feather | Ottonova | |
| Private health insurance | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dental insurance | ✅ | ✅ |
| Expat health insurance (aka incoming health insurance) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Public health insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Travel insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Bike insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Life insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Personal liability insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Household contents insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Disability insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Legal insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Pension insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Dog liability insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Pet health insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Supplementary hospitalization insurance | ❌ | ✅ |
If you’re looking for health insurance only, both Feather and Ottonova offer solid options.
However, if you need coverage beyond health, Feather has a broader range of products.
Plus, Feather lets you manage all your policies in one place, making it a convenient option for those who want to save time by keeping everything under one roof.
How are these two companies different?
History and finances
Ottonova began in 2015, and Feather was founded a few years later, in 2018. Ottonova currently has around 100 employees, while Feather has about 60.
The most significant difference between these companies is their financial backing, which impacts how they handle risks, like paying claims.
Ottonova is a smaller company with about €28.64 million in gross premium income as of 2023. “Gross premium income” is the total amount of money customers pay to Ottonova for their insurance policies.
Because Ottonova pays its own claims, it relies on this income to cover expenses.
On the other hand, Feather’s risk is backed by a much larger insurance company with a gross premium income of €1.54 billion. This means that while Feather is smaller, it partners with a much larger company that can support it financially.
So, even if hundreds of customers need reimbursements at the same time, Feather has the funds to cover these claims.
Ease of use
Both companies provide English-speaking services, which makes things easier for non-German speakers.
However, Ottonova has a unique feature: they’ll book doctor’s appointments for you. Feather doesn’t offer this service but aims for convenience in other ways.
For example, Feather offers an online sign-up process in English (which Ottonova doesn’t do), so you can handle everything online without confusion.
Another difference is that Feather includes video calls as part of their service, which means you can handle questions and get face-to-face help.
Who offers the best insurance?
Answering this question would usually involve digging through the fine print.
But don’t worry, we did that already.
Here’s our breakdown of how the private and dental insurance from Feather and Ottonova stack up.
Private health insurance: Feather vs Ottonova
When comparing private health insurance between Ottonova and Feather, there are a few key differences worth considering.
Firstly, both companies offer three main plans.
Ottonova has Premium Economy, Business Class, and First Class plans, while Feather provides Standard, Plus, and Premium.
Here’s a closer look at how they stack up on what we believe are the most important factors:
Deductibles
Feather’s plans stand out because all plans come with a €0 deductible.
This means you won’t have to pay anything out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in, which is often the smartest choice if you’re employed.
Here’s why:
Since employers in Germany cover half of health insurance costs, choosing a plan with a higher deductible might save you a bit on monthly premiums. Still, you’d likely end up paying much more when visiting doctors.
Ottonova, on the other hand, offers a €0 deductible only on its higher-tier Business Class and First Class plans.
For freelancers and those currently between jobs, choosing a plan with a deductible is a popular way to reduce monthly costs.
The savings on premiums often make up for the occasional doctor visit costs.
Ottonova’s website offers several deductible options, allowing freelancers to adjust their monthly payments based on expected health needs.
Feather also offers deductible options, though these aren’t listed directly on our website.
Instead, we work with you to tailor a plan best suited to your situation.
This personalized approach helps ensure you’re investing wisely in coverage—avoiding unnecessary expenses while still protecting your health.
Cost
Prices for private health insurance vary widely, depending on your age, health status, and other factors. For a fair comparison, though, here’s a look at quotes for a healthy, 23-year-old male who’s employed:
- Feather: €205 for Standard, €270 for Plus, and €303 for Premium.
- Ottonova: €201 for Premium Economy, €263 for Business Class+, and €289 for First Class+.
At first glance, Ottonova’s prices look a bit cheaper, but there’s more to consider, especially if you’re looking to maximize savings over time…
Financial rewards, bonuses & cashbacks
Both companies offer a “no-claim” bonus, which gives you a cash reward if you only use preventative treatments (like dental cleanings or cancer screenings) during the year.
Ottonova’s no-claim bonus is a fixed amount, usually close to one month’s premium.
Feather’s bonus, however, grows significantly over time. Here’s how it builds up:
- Year 1: 303
- Year 2: 540
- Year 3: 776
- Year 4: €1,013
- Year 5 and beyond: €1,249
Plus, Feather offers a monthly cashback of €100. You can use this money for anything you want.
However, paying smaller medical bills out of pocket instead of claiming them helps you qualify for the no-claims bonus, maximizing your savings.
So, which is more affordable?
Let’s take a closer look…
| Feather | Ottonova | |
| Yearly cost | €3636 | €3468 |
| No claim in a year bonus | €473 | €419 |
| Yearly cashback | €1200 | €0 |
| Total cost per year | €1963 | €3049 |
Opting for Feather will save you more than €1000 per year, and that’s only in year one.
If you go claim-free for five years, the yearly cost drops even further, down to €1,187 (meaning you’d save €2000 per year compared to Ottonova).
So, between the two, Feather comes out as the more affordable option over time, especially if you can cover smaller claims yourself using the €100 monthly cashback.
Coverage
When comparing Ottonova and Feather’s coverage, it’s helpful to consider what you’re looking for in a private health insurance plan. Here’s how you might approach each option:
- If keeping costs low is your priority: The Standard and Economy plans offer essential coverage at a more affordable price.
- If you want the best balance of value and coverage: Look at the Plus and Business Class Pro plans, designed to optimize what you get for your investment.
- If you’re seeking the highest level of coverage: The Premium and First Class Pro plans are the most comprehensive options.
Once you know which of these goals resonates most with you, feel free to jump to the relevant section below to compare the specific plans.
Only key differences between the plans are highlighted below, so if something important to you isn’t mentioned, you can assume the plans are broadly similar in that area.
Feather’s Standard plan vs Ottonova’s Economy plan
| Coverage | Feather Standard Plan | Ottonova Economy Plan |
| Medication Costs | Pay 20% of your invoices until reaching €800. | Pay 10% of your invoices until reaching €500. |
| Dental Coverage | €4,000 annual limit; 70% coverage for inlays/teeth replacements. | No limit but generally lower coverage. For example, 60% for inlays and teeth replacements. |
| Orthodontics | 70% coverage for kids; none for adults. | 90% coverage for kids; 60% for adults. |
| Mental Health Therapy | 70%, no session limit. | 75%, up to 50 sessions per year. |
| Medical Aids | 80% coverage. | 75% coverage. |
| Vision Care | €150 for glasses every 2 years. | €150 for glasses every 3 years; €250 per eye for elective surgery. |
| Hospital Stays | Shared rooms; no chief physician treatment. | Double rooms; chief physician treatment included. |
| International Coverage | Worldwide for 1 month; no repatriation costs. | Worldwide for 6 months; repatriation costs included. |
In summary, Ottonova offers more comprehensive coverage for the entry plans, but Feather’s plan is about €1,000 cheaper per year. So, if affordability is your top priority, Feather might be the better choice, especially if these slight differences in coverage aren’t deal-breakers.
However, if you want more extensive benefits and can spend more, consider the plans below.
Feather’s Plus plan vs Ottonova’s Business Class Pro plan
| Category | Feather Plus plan | Ottonova Business Class Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Vision care | Refractive surgery up to €1,500/eye. | Refractive surgery: €500/eye (first 24 months), €1,000/eye afterward. |
| Medication | 80% up to €2,000, then 100% after that. | 100% covered. |
| Alternative treatments (e.g., osteopathy, chiropractic) | 80% up to €1,200/year. | Capped at €1,000/year. |
| Dental benefits | Max payouts: €1,000 in year 1, growing yearly until year 5, when it becomes illimited. 80% for orthodontics for children. | Max payouts: €500 in year 1, growing every year until year 4 where it’s €4000. Orthodontics for children covered at 90% for the first 25 hours, then 75%. |
| Psychotherapy | Covers 80% of costs. | It covers 90% for the first 25 sessions and 75% afterward. |
| Medical aids | Covers 80% up to €2,000, then 100% after that. | Covers 100% up to €500. |
In summary, both Ottonova and Feather offer comprehensive coverage, going head-to-head in most areas. However, Feather stands out with a plan that is approximately €1,000 more affordable per year.
If value for money is your priority, Feather clearly comes out on top, offering similar coverage at a significantly lower cost.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to optimize your coverage, dive into comparing the company’s premium plans…
Feather’s Premium plan vs Ottonova’s First class plan
| Feature | Feather | Ottonova |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Coverage Limit | €1,500 in year 1,€3,000 in year 2,€4,500 in year 3€6,000 in year 4,no limits from year 5 onwards.. | €1,000 in year 1,€2,000 in year 2, €4,000 in year 3, no limits from year 4 onwards. |
| Psychotherapy | 90%, Unlimited sessions per year. | First 50 sessions at 100%, after that 80% coverage per session |
| Natural Health Treatments | Up to €2,400 per year | Up to €2,000 per year |
| Vision Aids | €450 every 2 years | €500 every 2 years |
| Fertility Treatment | 100% coverage | 100% covered, up to €3,000 |
In general, Feather’s Premium plan seems slightly better in coverage, especially for dental and psychotherapy.
Plus, it’s about €1,000 cheaper per year than Ottonova’s plan, making Feather the best choice for those who want the most comprehensive benefits.
Private health insurance in Germany
support in English.
Comparing dental insurance: Feather vs Ottonova
Feather and Ottonova offer plans to cover dental treatments beyond standard public insurance.
Feather has two options: Basic and Advanced. Ottonova has three: Economy, Business, and First Class.
Ottonova also offers more customization. For example, you can choose the coverage amount for professional dental cleanings or adjust coverage for dental prostheses like implants and inlays.
This extra customization might be helpful if you want control over exactly what’s covered.
Feather’s plans are more straightforward, with only one option for customization on its advanced plan: Tooth replacement coverage can be set between 80% and 100%.
Feather requires a 12-month contract, while Ottonova’s minimum term is 24 months. This difference can be important if you prefer a shorter commitment or plan to review your options sooner.
Pricing
Comparing pricing across plans can be challenging, as options vary significantly by age group and plan type. We recommend readers check specific pricing for their age group to find the most relevant rates:
Ottonova’s dental insurance pricing
| Age group | Economy Class | Business Class | First Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 17 | 2,18 € – €2,63 | 14,10 € – 15,43 € | 17,66 € – 18,10 € |
| 18 – 24 | 8,80 € – 9,38 € | 9,81 € – 11,27 € | 15,42 € – 15,86 € |
| 25 – 29 | 8,80 € – 9,62 € | 12,68 € – 14,38 € | 20,18 € – 20,62 € |
| 30 – 34 | 11,60 € – 12,68 € | 17,48 € – 19,44 € | 28,44 € – 28,88 € |
| 35 – 39 | 13,16 € – 14,47 € | 20,08 € – 22,27 € | 34,15 € – 34,59 € |
| 40 – 44 | 15,48 € – 17,11 € | 24,53 € – 27,04 € | 42,46 € – 42,90 € |
| 45 – 49 | 16,88 € – 18,77 € | 27,48 € – 30,25 € | 48,47 € – 48,91 € |
| 50 – 54 | 19,22 € – 21,48 € | 31,92 € – 35,06 € | 57,76 € – 58,20 € |
| 55 – 59 | 21,38 € – 23,97 € | 35,83 € – 39,30 € | 66,33 € – 66,77 € |
| 60 – 102 | 18,89 € – 21,35 € | 31,60 € – 34,94 € | 60,45 € – 60,89 € |
Feather’s dental insurance pricing
| Age group | Basic | Advanced |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 20 | € 15.90* | €16.90 – €17.50 |
| 21-30 | € 10.90 | €18.70 – €23.60 |
| 31 – 40 | € 10.90 | €24.70 – €36.60 |
| 41 – 50 | € 10.90 | €30.00 – €47.80 |
| 51 – 60 | € 10.90 | €38.00 – €64.50 |
| 61+ | € 10.90 | €43.40 – €75.50 |
*Our Basic plan is more expensive for our youngest customer group because it includes orthodontics coverage (e.g., braces and retainers) for anyone 20 years old or younger.
Coverage
Let’s break down Feather and Ottonova to see which offers the best coverage.
1. Professional Dental Cleaning
- Feather: Covers €150 per year on the basic plan or up to €200 per year with a 20% copay on advanced plans.
- Ottonova: Varies by plan—the economy plan covers up to €80 per year, business plan up to €100 per cleaning with a maximum of €170 per year, and first-class covers up to €110 per cleaning with a maximum of €200 per year.
Overall, Feather generally provides better value on all plans, especially considering that a cleaning in Germany typically costs between €60 and €120.
2. Dental Treatments
- Feather: Starts with €150 in the first year, grows to €300 by the second year, and then offers unlimited coverage afterward.
- Ottonova: Has longer-term limits—€800 to €1,250 per year, depending on the plan, covering up to the fifth year.
In conclusion, Ottonova offers higher limits early on, which could be helpful if you need extensive treatment right away. However, Feather’s plan becomes unlimited after two years, making it a good long-term option.
3. Tooth Replacement (e.g., implants, bridges, crowns)
- Feather: The basic plan only covers what’s included under public insurance, while the advanced plan allows you to choose between 80% and 100% coverage.
- Ottonova: Covers 75% on economy, 90% on business, and 100% on first-class plans.
Ultimately, Feather offers flexibility, but Ottonova’s economy plan covers more upfront, which could be an advantage for those on a lower budget.
4. Orthodontics for Children Under 21
- Feather: Both plans cover up to €2,000 for children’s orthodontic treatment when combined with public insurance.
- Ottonova: Offers up to €1,500 on the business plan and €2,000 on the first-class plan but does not cover orthodontics on the economy plan.
In summary, both companies provide decent coverage for orthodontics, but Feather includes it in its basic and advanced plans, making it the better choice for families.
So, which is best?
Feather tends to be more beneficial for regular cleanings and offers unlimited treatment coverage after the second year, which can be helpful long-term. Ottonova, however, may be more appealing if you need high upfront coverage for treatments like fillings or implants.
Dental insurance in Germany from €10.90 per month
Conclusion
And that wraps up our comparison of Feather vs Ottonova.
Which provider feels like the right fit for you?
If you’re curious about how our plans align with your needs or how Feather compares to Ottonova’s, our experts are here to help. Simply book a call, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
You can also leave any questions in the form below, and we’ll get back to you within a day or two.
