Insurance is important as it helps to indemnify you form losses caused by unforeseen calamities. Accidents and loses are inevitable in day to day life no matter how keen you are always are. For instance, you may just be walking or cycling on your way home from work and someone knocks you with a vehicle. Therefore, it is imperative to always have an insurance plan before arriving in Germany, so that you can have a smooth stay free of stress.
You can arrange with your travel agent or insurance broker especially if you are dealing with a multinational firm. So, what are some of the types of insurance that you can insure against so that they take effect immediately you set your foot in Germany? Well, they include but not limited to the, following:
Third-party Private Liability Insurance:
The most important insurance for expatriates is at the same time probably the least expensive. This policy should be in place when you rent a house or apartment. Germany is becoming increasingly litigious and foreigners can all too often be regarded as fair game for a spurious claim. A high quality policy, with good coverage, will provide you with protection by taking over the management of a claim against you. Third-party liability insurance can be arranged to start on the day you arrive in Germany and can cover your family, yourself and your dogs and horses.
Household Contents Insurance:
This can also be made to start when you arrive in Germany or at the latest when you unpack your belongings once they have arrived. The list of possessions and their values set out in your packing lists is all that is needed to establish the value of your possessions. Cover is for set claims for damage resulting from fire, storm, burglary and flooding caused by broken pipes.Depending on the total amount of your possessions to be insured as well as on the percentage of valuables such as jewelry, art and watch collections you may prefer to ask for “all risk” coverage as this is not usually offered in Germany.
Car Insurance:
This can be arranged quickly and efficiently, but only when you have decided upon which car you want to lease or buy. A few German insurance companies will accept no-claims records earned with insurance companies outside Germany as long as these are evidenced by your having an original letter from your previous insurers. (A broker’s letter will not do). Please ask your current insurance company to prepare such a letter for you before you leave.
Legal Assistance Insurance:
This insurance is more ‘optional’ than the others, but the experience of our clients over many years has shown how valuable it can be. Legal assistance insurance pays your attorney’s fees where you need to take someone to court. It can be especially useful when you have problems with a landlord or employer here.
Health Insurance:
German approved health insurance is now mandatory for all residents of Germany, whether employed, self-employed or indeed not employed.
Depending on your personal situation, you may be forced to use either the government or private health insurance schemes.
The regulations have recently become more complex than was the case in the past; it is highly recommended that you consult an English-speaking and experienced health insurance specialist
