Verzicht auf das Recht zur Arglistanfechtung in AGB/AVB – zur Rechtsprechung des BGH und ihrer Auswirkungen auf die D&O-Versicherung

摘要

The ruling by the BGH dated 21.09.2011 (VersR 2011, 1563, Heros-II) on the consequences relating on insurance law arising from the insolvency of the Heros Group raises the question as to the decision’s implications for D&O insurance. The Fourth Civil Senate, which is the competent court for insurance law, came to the conclusion that waiving one’s right to rescission on grounds of fraudulent misrepresentation, contractually agreed upon in advance, is incompatible with the intended protection of the right to self-determination expressed in §123 BGB, and is therefore invalid. Confirming a landmark decision by the Eighth Senate dated 17.01.2007, the ruling furthermore affects the rights of insured individuals: according to the BGH they lose coverage following the insurer‘s rescission on grounds of fraudulent misrepresentation (§334 BGB) since they only acquire rights to the extent designed by the policyholder.