Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not a single product but an umbrella term for several coverage modules that protect against different travel-related risks. The main components are: travel health insurance (Reisekrankenversicherung), trip cancellation insurance (Reiserücktrittsversicherung), travel baggage insurance (Reisegepäckversicherung), and trip interruption insurance (Reiseabbruchversicherung). These can be purchased individually or as a combined travel protection package. Why do you need travel insurance if you already have health insurance? Germany's statutory health insurance (GKV) provides only limited coverage outside Germany. Within the EU, it generally covers only what the host country provides for its own citizens. Outside the EU, the GKV typically provides no coverage at all. A medical evacuation back to Germany can cost between 30,000 and 100,000 euros. What does travel health insurance cover? It covers the cost of emergency medical treatment abroad, including hospitalisation and medically necessary repatriation. It typically does not cover: treatment for known pre-existing conditions or elective procedures. What does trip cancellation insurance cover? It reimburses cancellation fees if you cannot begin a booked trip due to a covered reason — for example, sudden serious illness, the death of a close family member, or a serious incident at home. Important: the reason must be explicitly listed in the policy as a covered event. Baggage insurance compensates for lost, stolen or damaged luggage up to the agreed sum. Trip interruption insurance covers the proportional cost of unused travel services if you have to cut a trip short. What to consider when choosing: Check whether your existing policies already include some of the coverage. Annual policies (Jahrespolicen) may offer better value if you travel multiple times a year. Family rates often cover all travelling household members under a single contract.