{
  "id": "term-naturalrestitution",
  "type": "term",
  "languages": {
    "en": {
      "id": "term-naturalrestitution",
      "lang": "en",
      "type": "term",
      "title": "Restitution in Kind (Naturalrestitution)",
      "shortDefinition": "Restitution in kind is the reinstatement of the condition that would have existed absent the damaging event, as opposed to indemnification through a pure monetary payment.",
      "synonyms": [
        "Naturalrestitution",
        "Reinstatement in Kind"
      ],
      "linesOfBusiness": [
        "Property",
        "Liability"
      ],
      "jurisdictions": [],
      "tags": [
        "Contract Law",
        "Claims Handling"
      ],
      "relations": {
        "relatedTerms": [
          "term-neuwertversicherung",
          "term-mietsachschaeden"
        ],
        "partOf": [],
        "appliesTo": [],
        "regulatedBy": [],
        "relevantFor": [],
        "insurableVia": [],
        "mitigatedBy": [],
        "comprises": [],
        "alternativeTo": [],
        "complementedBy": []
      },
      "attribute": null,
      "profile": null,
      "coverageProfile": null,
      "clause": null,
      "legalBasis": [],
      "standards": [],
      "reviewStatus": "expert-reviewed",
      "reviewedBy": "Guido Hesse, Hesse Group Holding AG",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-09-04",
      "version": "0.1.0",
      "updated": "2026-08-31",
      "generated": {
        "by": "process:reconstructed",
        "at": "2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      "verified": [
        {
          "by": "human:ghesse",
          "at": "2026-09-04T00:00:00.000Z",
          "method": null
        }
      ],
      "staleAfter": null,
      "url": "https://hgh.ch/lexikon/en/knowledge/term/restitution-in-kind/",
      "alternateUrl": "https://hgh.ch/lexikon/de/wissen/begriff/naturalrestitution/",
      "body": "## Concept\n\nIn the law of damages, restitution in kind refers to the principle whereby the party causing the damage must restore the condition that would have existed absent the damaging event – generally through the actual repair or reinstatement of the damaged item rather than a mere monetary payment. Under German law, this principle is enshrined in Section 249 of the Civil Code (BGB) and forms the baseline rule of the general law of damages.\n\n## Relevance in Property Insurance\n\nIn property insurance, restitution in kind is regularly reflected in a contractually agreed option or obligation for the insurer to settle the claim through actual repair or replacement (indemnity in kind) rather than paying the corresponding monetary amount to the policyholder; this is of particular practical relevance in motor own-damage insurance with contractually designated repair shops.\n\n## The Injured Party's Right of Election\n\nUnder the general principles of the law of damages, the injured party generally remains free to demand the monetary amount required for reinstatement instead of restitution in kind (the so-called right of substitution); in motor claims handling practice, this leads injured parties frequently to settle on the basis of an expert appraisal rather than proving the actual repair, provided the amount claimed does not exceed the demonstrated repair cost."
    },
    "de": {
      "id": "term-naturalrestitution",
      "lang": "de",
      "type": "term",
      "title": "Naturalrestitution (Restitution in Kind)",
      "shortDefinition": "Die Naturalrestitution ist die Wiederherstellung des Zustands, der ohne das schädigende Ereignis bestanden hätte, im Gegensatz zum Wertersatz durch eine reine Geldzahlung.",
      "synonyms": [
        "Restitution in Kind",
        "Wiederherstellung in Natur"
      ],
      "linesOfBusiness": [
        "Property",
        "Liability"
      ],
      "jurisdictions": [],
      "tags": [
        "Vertragsrecht",
        "Schadenregulierung"
      ],
      "relations": {
        "relatedTerms": [
          "term-neuwertversicherung",
          "term-mietsachschaeden"
        ],
        "partOf": [],
        "appliesTo": [],
        "regulatedBy": [],
        "relevantFor": [],
        "insurableVia": [],
        "mitigatedBy": [],
        "comprises": [],
        "alternativeTo": [],
        "complementedBy": []
      },
      "attribute": null,
      "profile": null,
      "coverageProfile": null,
      "clause": null,
      "legalBasis": [],
      "standards": [],
      "reviewStatus": "expert-reviewed",
      "reviewedBy": "Guido Hesse, Hesse Group Holding AG",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-09-04",
      "version": "0.1.0",
      "updated": "2026-08-31",
      "generated": {
        "by": "process:reconstructed",
        "at": "2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      "verified": [
        {
          "by": "human:ghesse",
          "at": "2026-09-04T00:00:00.000Z",
          "method": null
        }
      ],
      "staleAfter": null,
      "url": "https://hgh.ch/lexikon/de/wissen/begriff/naturalrestitution/",
      "alternateUrl": "https://hgh.ch/lexikon/en/knowledge/term/restitution-in-kind/",
      "body": "## Begriff\n\nDie Naturalrestitution bezeichnet im Schadensersatzrecht den Grundsatz, wonach der Schädiger denjenigen Zustand herzustellen hat, der ohne das schädigende Ereignis bestehen würde – regelmässig durch die tatsächliche Reparatur oder Wiederherstellung der beschädigten Sache anstelle einer blossen Geldzahlung. Im deutschen Recht ist dieser Grundsatz in § 249 BGB verankert und bildet die Ausgangsregel des allgemeinen Schadensersatzrechts.\n\n## Bedeutung in der Sachversicherung\n\nIn der Sachversicherung äussert sich die Naturalrestitution regelmässig in der vertraglich vereinbarten Möglichkeit oder Verpflichtung des Versicherers, den Schaden durch tatsächliche Reparatur oder Ersatzbeschaffung zu regulieren (Naturalersatz), anstatt dem Versicherungsnehmer den entsprechenden Geldbetrag auszuzahlen; dies ist insbesondere bei der Kaskoversicherung mit vertraglich vereinbarten Reparaturwerkstätten von praktischer Bedeutung.\n\n## Wahlrecht des Geschädigten\n\nNach den allgemeinen Grundsätzen des Schadensersatzrechts steht es dem Geschädigten regelmässig frei, statt der Naturalrestitution den zur Wiederherstellung erforderlichen Geldbetrag zu verlangen (sogenannte Ersetzungsbefugnis); in der Praxis der Kfz-Schadenregulierung führt dies dazu, dass der Geschädigte häufig auf Gutachtenbasis abrechnet, anstatt die tatsächliche Reparatur nachzuweisen, solange der geforderte Betrag den nachgewiesenen Reparaturaufwand nicht übersteigt."
    }
  }
}