Krankenversicherung (health insurance)
There are two types of health insurance in Germany:
- The compulsory health insurance (public), which you had to provide to register
- Private health insurance
All students are required to have an insurance plan in Germany, but depending on where you come from, you might be eligible to use the plan you already have in your home country. You should consult the university’s international office for more details.
Private health insurances might only be relevant to cover costs that are not payed by the public health insurance, like privileged care during a stationay stay at a hospital (e.g., a single room).
Some more information can, for example, be found here and here.
Haftpflichtversicherung (liability insurance) - highly recommended
Personal liability insurance covers you in cases of accidental damage to a third party or their property. In Germany, you are legally responsible for any damages caused to others by your person. It is important to note that this is restricted not only to damages one has personally caused but also holds for damages caused by one’s children, one’s pets, and so on. You are liable for all your estate. Income and liability claims will not be waived unless the damages in question have been completely paid. Consequently, personal liability insurance is one of the most important insurances one should hold when living in or traveling to Germany.
It is worth noting that private liability insurance often includes a version of legal costs insurance. In fact, a feature of personal liability insurance is to verify and possibly dismiss legal claims for damages. Typically, spouses are also insured without any surcharge. Children are also usually covered under their parents’ policy. These additionally insured persons (spouse, children) should be explicitly mentioned in the certificate of insurance.
International students holding personal liability insurance in their respective home countries should check whether insurance cover is provided while they are in Germany. Credit card holders should check whether their credit card comes with personal liability insurance valid while the cardholder (or his/her spouse and children) is abroad.
A basic German liability insurance costs between 50€ and 100€ per year.
Some more information can, for example, be found here and here.
