(Translation – Insurance Advisor – Civil Servant)In Germany, there’s no worry about having insurance. The system offers a broad range of ways to secure the people, whether the policies are for life, accident, travel, liability, or household. There are also opportunities for foreigners to obtain repatriation insurance.
Not everyone needs all these, and they’re not all required, but it’s illegal to not have a healthcare plan in place in Germany. Typically, the employer will help pay for the coverage, but even those who might find themselves employed need to have health insurance for themselves.
Types Of Insurance In Germany
In Germany Insurance Advisors (Civil Servants) or Versicherungsberater Beamte
help people choose plans suited for their family needs. A wide range of insurance options is available for the people making life secure in every capacity.
Health insurance is not an option, though. It is mandatory. The other choices, while not required, can prove essential. There’s no such thing as having too much protection. Some types offered include:
** Liability (Haftpflichtversicherung)
These policies refer to those that protect against people who received damages or injuries claimed to be caused by you. The plans boast as covering the cost of the damages to the person or their property.
In the legal system, individuals are held responsible for nearly all damages. Liability protection is of particular interest to those in a professional career like au pairs, tutors, or carers. It’s also a wise choice for a student who takes out an apartment with the need for protection against issues with the landlord’s property or that of the neighbors.
In times that damages affect the host’s home, arising even beyond the control of the renter, like if leaks are coming from the washing machine or plumbing, this coverage will take effect.
These types of damages can also progress into a neighboring home, further causing havoc. Liability will help with these costs as well. For a student, this insurance would be essential more so than an option.
Car insurance offers liability coverage. It provides coverage if an accident were to occur. You have protection for the other person’s vehicle and if the other person is hurt. Before you can drive in Germany, car insurance is a requirement.
** Household (Hausratversicherung)
A household policy covers any damages to the policyholder’s structure or contents of the home from instances of fires, storms, or floods. For homeowners with a solid plan, the property will have protection from theft to a degree.
Insurers can’t dissuade criminals from intruding on your home. A plan helps relieve some stress from the loss. The coverage is particularly essential for those who own high-value electronics, smartphones, or heirlooms.
Germany doesn’t have the designation as a dangerous country by any means, but break-ins are increasing slightly within the last couple of years. People take comfort investing in household coverage for the peace of mind they get in return.
** Life (Risikolebensversicherung)
Life coverage works with a policyholder of potential risks that could result in an untimely death. Typically, people of an extensive net worth take these policies. The individuals want their families protected from financial repercussions if the member were to suffer an early death.
If you’re single and moving to the country alone or have no dependent as a couple, life insurance might not be an essential purchase. For families, particularly those with substantial finances to maintain, the policy would be vital.
There are varied portfolios for people to choose from in Germany with fixed terms for a determined number of years. These can be perfect for foreigners who move to the country with no idea how long they’ll stay.
There is a possibility to pinpoint the policy toward a debt such as a mortgage where the premium decreases as the loan reaches its end. In this way, your family has a minimal obligation in case of the unthinkable.
** Repatriation (Rückführungsversicherung)
Repatriation is a sort of accident policy in the way the holder has coverage in the instance there is an unfortunate accident resulting in a fatality in a foreign country. It is a tender topic, but one needing addressing, especially for students traveling to another country or those living abroad for work. In case there is a death, the policy handles repatriation of the body.
There is the possibility that a travel plan will include repatriation, but when travel coverage expires, this will as well.
How Does German Insurances Work?
German insurances work the same as most developed nations.
A consumer will buy a policy at a fixed rate, offering a specific set of benefits for regular premiums. Some premiums have the potential for flexibility like life policies, but other plans stick with a more rigid schedule. Find out the logistics of insurance in Germany at https://www.expatica.com/de/finance/insurance/insurance-in-germany-100952/.
Health insurance is a requirement for all residents of the country, whether state-provided (GKV-gesetliche Krankenversicherung) or private (PKV-private Krankenversicherung.)
State policies are only available for those of a lower income. Other residents need to purchase private plans.
Depending on the lifestyle you have will determine (aside from healthcare) which insurance plans you decide to take out. There is no requirement for residents to purchase any of these policies.
Still, the recommendation is individuals take time to investigate plans that could prove beneficial for their specific circumstances. An example would be a student renting from a host should carry liability protection.
Final Thought
View for guidance on obtaining insurance in Germany. Insurance offers a sense of security in every aspect of life. Whether required or not, each option is a wise investment for the simple peace of mind that it gives the policyholder.
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