Travel insurance for Germany

Travelling to Germany? A must read guide to choosing travel insurance for Germany

From the Black Forest and the Berlin Wall to the beer halls of Bavaria and everything in between, there’s so much to see, do and experience in Germany. However, if you’re planning a trip to Germany or any part of Europe, you need to make sure you have an appropriate travel insurance policy.

Why must I get travel insurance for Germany?

Imagine the nightmare of dealing with a foreign medical system, without the guidance and financial backing of a travel insurer. Travel insurance provides a range of financial protection against many travel risks in Germany, as well as the common travel concerns such as:

• Cancellation costs
• Lost luggage and damaged items
• Overseas medical emergencies
• Rental car accidents

How do I get travel insurance for Germany?

Compare travel insurance policies online and if you are unsure how, continue reading our guide. Once you decide on a travel insurance policy, you will have to nominate the appropriate region to include Germany. Policies will usually cover Germany in the Worldwide region or the Europe region.

Take a minute to compare travel insurance quotes to Germany from Australian travel insurers

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The five German safety concerns that make travel insurance essential

• Terrorism risks. Terrorism is a threat across Germany as well as much of Europe. The Department of State says that medium to high rating for terrorism exists in all German cities where a U.S. diplomatic presence exists.

• Pickpocketing and theft. While the level of overall crime is quite low, pickpocketing and the theft of items account for roughly 40% of all cases of crime in Germany. Due to a rise in pickpocketing in recent years, German police have warned visitors to Mitte, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf to take particular care of their valuables
• Drink spiking. If you’re going to nightclubs or some of Germany’s famed Christmas markets, DFAT suggests that you be aware of drink spiking
• Road conditions. OSAC suggests that the older roads of Eastern Germany require extra safety precautions
  
• Extremist and ethnic violence. According to German authorities, far-right extremist were responsible for over 17,000 reported crimes, and 800 violent crimes in 2011. While Germany is a safe country, an unexpected violent protest, will interrupt your travel plans.

If you do everything within reason to avoid such risks but still encounter trouble, travel insurance will cover you financially with respect to the conditions of their policy.

Ok, I need travel insurance for Germany but what about extras?

German adventure activities

Travel is the time to try new things, push your comfort levels in order to get the most authentic experience. For travellers to Germany this may include:

• The German Motorcycling route. Riding a motorbike is risky anywhere, let alone a country with different road rules.
• Scuba diving in Central Germany. If you plan to explore the lake and its underwater city, then travel insurance is essential.
• Hiking in the Black Forest or the Bavarian Alps. High altitude, exhaustion and sudden changes in weather may leave you in need of medical attention.
• Cycling the Elberadweg. Cover yourself if you plan to ride this popular cycling route.
• Skiing and snowboarding. Ensure you're covered for hitting the slopes because not all policies cover winter sports as standard.

Learn more about getting winter sports cover

Remember to check your policy

Many of these activities are not automatically covered by insurers, so read the fine print before taking out a policy. Some providers will allow you to take out for these activities for additional premium.

How much will travel insurance to Germany cost me?

The average cost of travel insurance to Germany varies between $86.48 and $354.66 depending on your age group.

Price based on a two week trip to Germany. Price last obtained on November 2015.

What does each costing policy look like?

I'm studying for a year in Berlin, do I need travel insurance?

While your destination school in Germany will usually include a health insurance plan for the duration of your semester, it is wise to get additional travel cover to protect you medically during your travels as well as for cover against other travel risks such as flight cancellations.

Learn more about student travel insurance

Will travel insurance cover me at Oktoberfest?

While Oktoberfest is a time a of celebration and undoubtedly one of the world’s biggest festivals, it is one event that you must take care of both your belongings and yourself. As you are likely to be under the influence of alcohol, travel insurance will not cover you for any losses that occur.

Staying safe at Oktoberfest

If you plan to have a few beers in Munich, follow these tips to avoid a sticky situation:

• Leave your belongings at home. The alcohol induced festivities make it easy to lose and misplace items, and the large crowds can invite petty thieves
• Hydrate. The tents can get very hot and sweaty inside, and beer is hardly known for its hydrating qualities - so sip on a stein of water every now and then to avoid dehydration and worse yet, alcohol poisoning
• Bring a friendly attitude. We all know how a combination of alcohol and conflict can easily escalate into a violent mess. Enter Oktoberfest with the right mindset and avoid ending up in the hospital with a concussion, unable to claim insurance for the medical costs or worse yet, liable for someone else's injuries
• Have an exit strategy. Make sure you have money for the cab and the address of your hotel written down to get home safely after the event

I plan to travel around Europe after Germany, am I covered?

Check official government warnings

The Department of Foreign affairs currently suggests that travellers exercise a high degree of caution if travelling to Kosovo, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Make sure you stay up to date to changes to the status of these countries as well the rest of Europe.

If something goes wrong, how do I make a claim?

Hold onto all documents

If an event or incident occurs that could lead to a claim, you need to contact your insurer as soon as possible. You’ll need to fill out a claim form, and the insurer will also request you provide supporting documentation. This may include:

• Police or medical reports
• An admission of fault from your airline if they have misplaced your baggage
• Receipts for emergency items purchased while your luggage has been delayed
• Proof of ownership of valuable items that have been lost or stolen

The German medical system

If you incur medical costs while in Germany, it’s worth pointing out that the Australian Government does not have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Germany. This means you won’t be able to receive Medicare-like cover for your medical expenses. As the cost of medical treatment in Germany is considerably high, you will quickly rack up an expensive bill if you’re hospitalised on your holiday.

German hospitals require confirmation that you have the necessary travel insurance cover or available funds to cover your medical bills and in some cases, cover them upfront.

How do I get into Germany? The specific entry requirements of Germany

Visa – for stays longer than 90 days

Germany is a part of the Schengen Convention, which means that Australian tourists can enter the country without a visa if they plan to stay less than 90 days.

Cash declaration

You need to declare if you are carrying more than 10,000 Euros in cash.

Check the official German embassy website

For the most up-to-date entry requirements for Germany, contact the nearest embassy or visit the Consulate of Germany website.

When is the best* time to travel to Germany?

Germany offers great travel experiences year round:

• Summer. Summer is when the peak travel season occurs and is the perfect time to enjoy long, sunny days and any number of wonderful festivals.
• Autumn. Autumn sees more moderate temperatures and the world-famous Oktoberfest.
• Winter. Winter is a spectacular time of year in Germany and can be enjoyed from the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the gorgeous Christmas markets of Cologne or Berlin.
• Spring. Spring is when Germany comes alive with Easter celebrations and beautiful weather.

Organising money for my trip

What currency do I need?

It's always best to have your travel money sorted before you leave Australia. The sole currency of Germany has been the Euro since 2002.

Foreign exchange and credit card fees

Foreign transaction fees have ruined many a holiday, which is why it is best to look for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees or a travel money card.

It’s also a good idea to check what fees you’ll incur when you withdraw funds from a German ATM. Remember to take the usual safety precautions whenever you withdraw a large sum of money – keep an eye on your wallet, don’t flash the cash around in front of strangers.

Who do I contact in an emergency?

Your travel insurer

If you need help, most insurers operate 24/7 emergency assistance lines that you can call from anywhere in the world. They can help you find a medical provider, report stolen goods and find the assistance you need far from home.

Friends and family

Alternatively, in certain circumstances (for example if you lose your wallet) you may be better off contacting family and friends and having them wire you emergency funds

German emergency services

If you need help from the German emergency services, the national emergency numbers in Germany are 110 for police and 112 for fire and ambulance. If you require consular assistance you can get in touch with the Australian Embassy in Berlin or the Australian Consulate-General in Frankfurt.

General benefits and exclusions

Five Steps to selecting travel insurance for Germany

Before buying cover you should ask yourself:

1. How long are you planning on being away? This will help you determine how long you will need to buy cover for an annual, multi year or a backpacker policy
2. What are you doing during your trip. Decide whether you will be skiing down German slopes before you go so you can take it up as extra's cover
3. Are you taking any valuable items? If you plan on taking your Go-Pro to shoot your moments in Berlin, make sure you look for a policy that covers its value
4. Do you pre-existing medical conditions to declare? Declare early to find if and to what extent a policy will cover you pre-existing medical condition.
5. Are any travel risks specific to your destination? Germany is known for poor road conditions in the east, and has had protests in Munich in the past. Make sure you assess the travel risks

Taking the time to work through these five steps will give you a much clearer idea of the right insurer, policy and level of cover for your trip to Germany

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^{_{*The use of terms 'Best' and 'Top' are not product ratings and are subject to our disclaimer. You should consider seeking independent financial advice and consider your own personal financial circumstances when comparing travel insurance policies.}}
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