Julia Späth presents a scientific examination of the coverage reserves from a balance sheet theoretical perspective. She analyzes that coverage reserves are not uniformly interpretable under German accounting law; depending on the product category of life insurance, they represent actual liabilities, liability reserves, or deferred income items. Another focus of the author's investigation is the comparative presentation and discussion of the recognition and measurement regulations according to HGB, US-GAAP, and the re-exposure draft of the IASB.