A method and an apparatus for initiating an automatic emergency call wherein an emergency signal is sent when an initiation threshold is reached which is ascertained on the basis of a sensor signal. To prevent the incorrect transmissions of emergency calls and nevertheless to take account of a multiplicity of hazard situations, when the initiation threshold is reached an emergency call is initiated and additionally the reliability of the sensor signals prompting the initiation are assessed. When the sensor signals cannot be interpreted explicitly the emergency call is transmitted only after a delay time. During the delay time, the transmission of the emergency call can still be terminated.