Reiseversicherung

A serious car accident, a fire in your apartment, or your child needing hospitalization due to appendicitis - numerous reasons could prevent you from starting your long-planned vacation or force you to return early.

That's where travel cancellation insurance comes into play: it covers the cancellation fees your travel operator charges when you have to cancel a booked trip. Additionally, you can financially secure yourself against having to leave your vacation unexpectedly and thus not being able to use already paid-for services, such as when a close relative falls seriously ill or passes away.

This insurance also covers unexpected pregnancy complications, vaccine intolerance, or instances when you can't leave your apartment unattended or need to return home swiftly due to burglary, fire, severe weather damage, or other natural events.

Sometimes, things go awry even on the first day of your trip: your suitcase gets stolen. Tour operators are liable - if at all - only up to a limited amount. Anything beyond that can be covered by luggage insurance, which can be signed on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis.

Luggage insurance protects you from financial loss through loss, destruction, or damage to the property you carry with you.

Coverage for Depreciation or Repair Costs
Items of personal travel need, worn or carried items, checked baggage, carry-ons, travel mementos, gifts, and sports equipment including accessories and protective clothing are covered under luggage insurance.

Typically, the insurance covers the current value of carried items - the new value minus a reasonable deduction for wear and tear, age, and use. For damaged items, the insurer covers repair costs up to the current value.

When traveling beyond Germany's borders, a private travel health insurance is essential. Statutory health insurers only reimburse costs in countries within the EU or those with a social security agreement with Germany.

Even then, medical expenses are only reimbursed up to the amount that is customary in Germany. Outside European borders, you may often find yourself as a private patient, where you would have to bear high medical costs yourself. Such costs, for instance, in the USA, can effortlessly exceed an annual income. Even repatriation to your home country isn't covered by statutory health insurance.

Home Medical Transport is Also Covered
Travel health insurance covers medical treatment for acute illnesses and accidents, inpatient treatment costs, pain-relieving dental treatments, and medications, bandages, and therapeutic devices.

Additionally, the policy covers medically necessary transport back to Germany, transportation costs in case of the insured person's death, or burial costs incurred abroad.

You can purchase travel health insurance as a limited policy for specific travel days or as an annual insurance for unlimited travel within a year.

With the Rental Car on the Road
If you want to explore your vacation destination independently, renting a car is a popular choice. Especially in Southern Europe, rented vehicles often have lower insurance amounts than in Germany.

Car rental accidents can be costly: if you're the driver involved in an accident and the claimant’s demands exceed the minimum, you will have to pay the difference out of pocket.

Affordable Protection with the "Mallorca Policy"
Play it safe by securing rental car liability insurance at home - often colloquially referred to as the "Mallorca Policy." These can be purchased economically from local auto insurers.

In its basic version, it covers European travel for a few weeks or months. Depending on the provider, the Mallorca policy might already be included in your existing car insurance - just check with your insurer or see your policy.

For worldwide extra coverage, you might consider a traveler contract.

Tip: immediately notify the police and car rental agency if an accident occurs. If injuries are not documented by a physician, the liable party’s insurance may not cover them.

Maximum Coverage
If you're abroad with your car, you need the right insurance coverage. For vehicle liability insurance, it's best to negotiate the maximum possible coverage.

Supplemental comprehensive insurance is recommended. Partial coverage replaces losses from theft, fire, weather, wildlife collisions, and glass breakage. Comprehensive insurance also covers your accident damages. Additionally, these cover when you're involved in a road accident abroad, and the damage isn't correctly covered by the party at fault.

Ensure you have a green insurance card as proof of insurance and a "European Accident Report," which offers instructions in ten languages for every cross-border trip.

Economical and Helpful: The Travel Cover
Also cost-effective and practical is travel cover. In case of accidents or breakdowns, it replaces costs for salvage, towing, and storage of your vehicle up to certain limits, supplies spare parts, driver illness repatriation, necessary accommodations, and possibly a rental car.

You can get travel cover from all German car insurers and automobile clubs.