Keeping you happy, keeping you safe.

We are the green specialist insurer for European horticulture.

Our members improve the climate with plants and trees, supply us with healthy fruits and vegetables and make rooms and cities more beautiful, adding to the quality of life. We are a reliable insurance partner, always at your side, protecting the entire value chain of the horticultural business. With knowledge, values and passion.

Partnership is the future.

Growing and thriving together.

More than 13,000 member businesses from 9 countries have entrusted material assets and insured yields for a total of over 85 billion euros to Gartenbau-Versicherung. And with good reason: because as an independent mutual insurance company, our objective is not to make huge profits, but to provide maximum security and satisfaction. For our members as well as for our employees and each and every one of the partners of our strong network.
Responsibility, transparency and sustainability characterize our business policy. Our long history means that we are deeply rooted in horticulture and continue to grow as a strong, unifying force for the green industry in Europe.

Our vision: To create long-term collaborative relationships with our members by providing tailor-made security solutions, outstanding service and constant communication. We achieve this through our unique expertise in horticultural risk management, intelligent networking of personal and digital services, meaningful collaborations and by involving members in key decisions. This last point is exemplified in particular by our elected supervisory board members and member representatives, as well as our volunteer claims experts, who ensure fair and competent assessments.

Employees
50
Countries
0
Members
700
Insured assets (EUR)
20 Mrd. €

Strong values for strong members.

Because security is a matter of trust.

Collaborative

Our community is our strength and our emotional attribute. We work on an equal footing with our customers. We stand for “From the industry, for the industry.”

Competent

Our in-depth expertise and many years of experience in this niche market enable us to understand even complex risks precisely and provide reliable cover.

Forward-looking

Thinking about tomorrow today: we develop sustainable solutions that create long-term security and stability for our members.

Gartenbau-Versicherung’s boards.

Committed to working together to navigate the company and its members safely into the future.

As the operational body of the mutual insurance company, the Board of Directors is responsible for managing the business of Gartenbau-Versicherung. The top management is therefore instrumental in supporting the development of Gartenbau-Versicherung, is responsible for the entire risk management and is the primary public representative of the insurance company.

Christian Senft

Chairman of the Board of Directors

  • Christian Senft has been the chairman of the board of Gartenbau-Versicherung since August 2022. His responsibilities include insurance operations, marketing and collaborative projects. Christian Senft joined the company in 2008 as an assistant to the Board of Directors, was made authorized signatory for Southern Europe in 2013, and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2016. A Master of Science, he studied horticulture at the Technical University of Munich (Weihenstephan) and at the Università di Bologna in Italy.
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  • Dr. Dietmar Kohlruss was appointed to the Board of Directors of Gartenbau-Versicherung in 2019. Previously, he held the position of managing director of an actuarial consulting firm for property/casualty and accident insurers. With a doctorate in mathematics, his areas of focus include accounting and finance, actuarial mathematics and reinsurance as well as human resources.
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Dr. Dietmar Kohlruss

Member of the Board of Directors

The Supervisory Board consists of nine persons elected by the General Assembly of Member Representatives. The term of office is three years, re-election is permitted. The duties of the Supervisory Board include overseeing the management of the company, auditing the annual financial statements, and appointing and employing the members of the Board of Directors.

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Frank Werner

Horticulture entrepreneur Frank Werner has been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2007 and has held the position of Chairman since 2017. He and his brother Ralf are the fourth generation to run the production company for flowers and ornamental plants Werner & Werner – Mein kleiner Garten in the Cologne-Bonn area. Frank Werner is also chairman of the Bundesverband Zierpflanzen (German Ornamental Plants Association).

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Beate Schönges

Sustainability is at the heart of Beate Schönges’ work. Together with her husband, she runs Schönges GbR, an ornamental horticulture business. A member of the Supervisory Board since 2020, she has served as Deputy Chair since 2026.

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Hermann Berchtenbreiter

The Berchtenbreiter family business has been in operation for over 130 years. Hermann Berchtenbreiter has been a member of the Supervisory Board of Gartenbau-Versicherung since 2008 and is active as the President of Bayerischer Gärtnerei-Verband e.V. (Bavarian Gardeners’ Association).

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Karin Hagdorn

Together with her husband, she manages Hagdorn Tomaten company in the  area of Stuttgart, which has been established as a family business in horticulture for 20 years. Karin Hagdorn has been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2024.

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Monika Köstlin

Monika Köstlin has been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2025. As Chairwoman of the Executive Board of Kieler Rückversicherungsverein a. G. and a member of the Executive Board of the Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (Verband der Versicherungsvereine auf Gegenseitigkeit e. V.), she contributes extensive knowledge of the Gartenbau-Versicherung business model.

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Hanspeter Meyer

Hanspeter Meyer’s Schweizer Meyer Orchideen AG produces 400,000 orchids in many exclusive varieties. He has been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2009.

 
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Tobias Müller

Tobias Müller, an economist and insurance specialist, was elected to the Supervisory Board in 2021. He is familiar with the company through his consulting activities and contributes in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry.

 
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Dr. Yvonne Peters

Combining academic expertise, many years of practical experience in the ornamental horticulture sector and extensive experience serving on boards and committees, Dr Peters, a business economist, has been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2026.

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Jens Schachtschneider

Jens Schachtschneider was elected to the Supervisory Board in 2016. In the perennial nursery he runs with his sons, about 2,000 species and varieties are cultivated in various pot sizes.

The General Assembly of Member Representatives is the supreme body of a mutual insurance company, which is the corporate form of Gartenbau-Versicherung. Once a year, the elected member representatives meet under the leadership of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board to reach decisions on fundamental issues of corporate policy. The General Assembly of Member Representatives is made up of forty member representatives from different regions of the company’s business area. Each member representative additionally has an elected deputy.

Member representativesLocationDeputy
Dominik BaumStraelenMatthias Draek, Straelen
Andreas BeierMannheimStephan Sinn, Lustadt
Wilhelm BöckNeufarnAndreas Evers, München
Inga BalkeNützenJessica Mayer, Lauffen am Neckar
Gerard de RegtWesterstedeCarolin Melle, Ganderkesee
Jochen EngelhardAlzenauUwe Schmidt, Hessisch Lichtenau
Willy EnßlinNördlingenMathias Scheffler, Opfenbach
Hans FleischleMurrWerner Metzger, Schönaich
Bernd FreeseGroßefehnSteffi Rogge, Westoverledingen
Jan GärtnerDrebachThomas Rost, Dresden
Ute GorgesBabenhausenMario Mertz, Hadamar
Thomas HeinemannRostockKati Bräutigam, Langerwisch
Gert HöferDresdenHeidi Landmann, Ebersbach
Franz-Josef HoffackerWeselHubert Brandkamp, Isselburg
Andreas HubenLadenburgOliver Mewes, Hyères
Bernd HubertEmskirchenAnja Gessnitzer, Wilhermsdorf
Gerhard KiemleBietigheim-BissingenTobias Rothenbücher, Neuenstein
Sebastian KleinOberscheinfeldMatthias Großkopf, Hemhofen
Andreas KnaupRöthleinAndré Busigel, Albertshofen
Karl KühneDresdenGerhard Langenberg, Alsleben
Karl LampertGeiselhöringMartin Wagle, Pfarrkirchen
Frank MildenbergerGermersheimThomas Hohn, Hornbach
Daniel MollLeinfelden-EchterdingenJörg Vatter, Bempflingen
Christoph NagelschmitzWesselingJosef Engels, Pulheim
Robert PakeBad HarzburgJohannes Schmidt, Königslutter
Marc PetersKranenburgMichael Hannen, Kleve
Thomas PsennerI-BozenAndreas von Danwitz, Tönisvorst
Andreas RathenowGroßbeerenAndré Krötz, Oberkrämer
Karl RehnerBad KreuznachHelmut Koch, Kaiserslautern
Manfred RiekeReckeKurt Dominik, Hörstel
Andreas RombachGlottertalFranc Gerloff, Gernsbach
Maria SchliekerBillerbeckHubert Schräder, Greven
Christoph SchöngesKorschenbroichStefan Bongartz, Mönchengladbach
Olaf SchröpferErfurtChristiane Bielefeld-Remde, Weimar
Klaus SchürgWissenPeter Hallen, Erkelenz
Philipp SchwabIngolstadtJohannes Schmitt, Poxdorf
Konrad SchwarzBornheimVolker Janssen, Viersen
Max Schwarz-ZurkindenCH-VilligenNicolas Desarzens, CH-Pomy
Dieter SchweizerFilderstadtRichard Messerle, Hochdorf
Felix TrauthKarlsruheHans Keller, Malterdingen

Our members are what make us special.

As a mutual insurance company, the community is our greatest strength.
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Dworschak & Sohn Bioland Gemüsebau

Nürnberg Kraftshof, Deutschland

Dworschak & Sohn is a family-run business that produces organically grown potted herbs, tomatoes, and cucumbers across 55,000 m² of greenhouse space. The company is headed by Rudolf Dworschak, who is actively supported by his daughter Anna-Lena and son Johannes. During peak periods, up to 110 employees work at this traditional yet innovative company.

 
 
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Bernhard Nill Gartenbaubetrieb

Ellingen, Deutschland

Bernhard Nill and his daughter Catharina make a great team. Together with eight other employees, they successfully run the horticultural business. In June, lavender dominates the landscape, while in September, the callunas light up the scenery and can be seen from afar. They account for around 70% of total sales. The extensive site high up at Windhof in Ellingen provides plenty of space for holistic potted plant production, successfully combining conventional crop protection with alternative methods.

 
 
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Warthof Obst

Grünberg, Deutschland

The Warthof in Grünberg is a family-run fruit farm with more than 150 apple varieties, a local farm shop, and its own wine production. For generations, the Sauerbier family has been committed to sustainable cultivation, direct marketing, and diversity – a place where freshness, tradition, and unique taste experiences come together.

 
 
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Gärtnerei Lindenhof

Bensheim, Deutschland

The Lindenhof in Bensheim-Auerbach is a family-run business now in its third generation. Originally a farm with livestock, the Lindenhof has evolved since the 1980s into a thriving horticultural business, producing a wide variety of crops and successfully marketing them locally.

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Baumschule Wilhelm Ley GmbH

Meckenheim, Deutschland

What began in 1891 on half a hectare of farmland has, over the decades, developed into one of Europe’s leading tree nurseries. Today, on more than 500 hectares of loess-loam soil, Wilhelm Ley Nursery cultivates a wide variety of plant species and varieties.

 
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Wans Roses

Straelen, Deutschland

Wans Roses has been producing cut roses since 1975 and is now run by the third generation of the family. Managing Director Christian Wans talks about his work, the challenges he is currently facing, and his collaboration with Gartenbau-Versicherung.

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Steinegger GARTENPARK GBR

Rheinfelden, Deutschland

The family-run business Steinegger Baumschulen GbR was founded in 1975. Over the years, the family developed a container nursery covering around 7 hectares. At Steineggers Gartenpark garden centre, visitors can find a wide range of potted garden plants, most of which are grown in-house.

 
 
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Sulzer Rosen

Sinzheim, Deutschland

The family-run nursery is located at the foot of the Black Forest. It specializes in the production of cut roses and potted roses. Its range includes more than 100 varieties, from ground cover roses and pyramids to standard and half-standard roses, as well as large iron trellises.

 
 
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Bioland Kräutergut

Nürnberg / Kraftshof, Deutschland

Since 1928, Bioland KräuterGut has been run by the family and is now in its fifth generation. Here you can learn more about Bioland KräuterGut and Managing Director Tanja Dworschak-Fleischmann.

 
 
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Janßen Group

Kevelaer, Deutschland

Janßen Group GmbH & Co. KG is a medium-sized, family-run company specializing in the production of potted plants such as Calluna vulgaris under the Beauty Ladies® brand, as well as lavender, Erica carnea, and Erica ventricosa.

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Staudengärtnerei Moll

Echterdingen, Deutschland

Staudengärtnerei Moll is located on the southern outskirts of Stuttgart, in the village of Echterdingen. On 4.5 hectares, the Moll family and their team produce a wide range of hardy perennials and ground-cover plants for private customers, landscaping companies, and tree nurseries.

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Gärtnerei Wolter GbR

Babenhausen, Deutschland

Gärtnerei Wolter produces high-quality plants for specialist retailers, garden centres, and cemetery nurseries, as well as plants in multi-cell trays for cemetery gardeners. A large proportion of its production is grown to order. The delivery area primarily covers the Rhine-Main region and extends up to 200 km from the nursery.

Our service portfolio designed to keep you safe.

Because your risks are our core competence.

Tailor-made

You want neither too much nor too little protection? Our risk consultants offer customized advice and protection packages. You decide.

Reliable

You need to be able to rely on your partner when it counts. When things don’t go as planned, you can rely on us. Unbureaucratic, prompt and personal.

End-to-end services

Our insurance coverage is only part of the services we offer: With comprehensive advice and information, we also provide you with preventative support for risk management.

Quality

Founded by gardeners for gardeners in 1847, we stand for the highest level of expertise in consulting and risk management.

Sustainability

Both in our relationship with our members and in our wider social responsibility, we live and breathe sustainability – because it is in our nature.

Partnership

The best possible advice, backed by an outstanding team: Together with our national and international partners, we are here for you.

more about us

Stronger together.

Together with our partners we make an excellent team.
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Two insurance companies – one solution.

Benefit from insurance coverage from the AGRORISK® Group.

For more than 30 years, the two independent German insurance companies Vereinigte Hagelversicherung and Gartenbau-Versicherung have complemented each other within the AGRORISK® Group: Vereinigte Hagel as an insurance partner for agricultural crops production and Gartenbau-Versicherung as a specialist insurer for European horticulture in greenhouses and open-field crops. Insurance solutions are also developed collaboratively. Both cooperating partners market their products in Europe under the AGRORISK® brand: https://www.agrorisk.de/

Investment with high strategic and economic potential

Gartenbau-Versicherung invests in forward-looking technologies that deliver measurable benefits to its policyholders. In line with this strategy, the company acquired a 49% stake in wirfliegendrohne.de at the end of November 2024. The Dortmund-based start-up specializes in precise 3D drone scans, indoor laser scanning, and Building Information Modeling (BIM), which enables the digital representation of existing buildings.

 
 

Facts, figures, data

If you want to know more – discover important details in our annual and risk reports.

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Which countries does Gartenbau-Versicherung operate in?

Gartenbau-Versicherung currently operates in 9 countries. In addition to its domestic market in Germany, it also provides protection for operations in Italy, France and the Netherlands, as well as in Luxembourg, Switzerland, Greece, Belgium and Poland.

Our core competency is to identify, assess and mitigate the risks unique to horticulture. We guarantee to provide competent advice on business risks, tailor-made insurance cover and, in the event of damage or loss, fast and fair compensation.

In order to meet the requirements of our role, a highly qualified team with in-depth knowledge of the industry is essential. More than half of all Gartenbau-Versicherung’s employees have completed vocational training and/or have a degree in horticulture. Together with insurance know-how and many years of experience, the result is unique expert knowledge.

Our mutual insurance company’s sole obligation is to serve the interests of its members. Gartenbau-Versicherung is therefore not dependent on any outside capital interests and does not seek to maximize profits. Instead, our focus is on the quality of our service and advice – we do everything we can to provide security for our members. Our assistance is fast and unbureaucratic, especially in the event of damage or loss.

It all began in Berlin. In the middle of the 19th century, several hailstorms had caused considerable damage to horticultural businesses there. But none of the agricultural insurance companies were willing to accept nurseries. They considered the risks to be too great and too complex. “Then let’s just start our own insurance company!” The story of Gartenbau-Versicherung must have begun something like this. In an unprecedented act of self-help, the gardeners overcame many obstacles. On May 10, 1847, Deutsche Hagelversicherungsgesellschaft für Gärtnereien zu Berlin (German Hail Insurance Company for Nurseries in Berlin) was founded.