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You are here: Home Finance & Business Pensions & Insurance Insurance in Germany

12/01/2004Insurance in Germany

Thinking about insurance is something you have to face when settling into a new country. We set out a guide for taking out insurance in Germany.

The insurance market is very competitive

One of the key things to remember in taking out insurance in Germany is to shop around.

The German insurance market has become intensely competitive in recent years and really does pay to try to keep an eye on newspaper or to look up consumer guides to insurance to make sure you are getting the best deal.
 
 This includes the German consumer group (Stiftung Warentest) which is constantly comparing prices and products. Their website is www.warentest.de.

Once you settle on an insurer don’t be surprised if an agent wants to drop by your house to take you through what is offer and maybe even size you up for cover that you had not planned on. 

Needless to say, the list of what can be insured seems to be endless. But this is what you need  to consider when you set up house in Germany:

Personal Liability 

Anyone renting a house or an apartment in Germany should consider taking out ‘Haftpflichtversicherung’ (personal liability insurance).  This covers cases of liability for injury or damage to other persons or their property. You are covered whether the negligence was yours or that of a family member or even, in some cases, your pet.

Household Contents

The next on the list is ‘Hausratversicherung’ (household contents insurance) covers the contents of your home against fire, theft, water damage, vandalism and hail. It is not compulsory, but you may find that it is a required part of some rental contracts.

As in any country, it is advisable to keep a list of all items (and receipts if possible) you insure and even photos of some of the more valuable items in case of theft.

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