How travel insurance works in Germany: Explained

Today’s post will provide you with a comprehensive overview of travel insurance in Germany. Please note Feather has stopped issuing new policies for "pure" travel insurance. We recommend our international health insurance or expat health insurance policies as replacements.

We will cover:

What travel insurance is
If you need it
Its benefits and coverage
And much more

So, if you are planning a trip abroad and are wondering if this insurance is right for you, you’ll love this one.

Let’s begin.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is an insurance product designed to shield you from the financial risks of traveling outside Germany.

There are usually 4 types of travel insurance:

Travel cancellation insurance
Travel cancellation insurance (Insurance professionals call it curtailment or holiday guarantee)
Travel health insurance
Luggage insurance

Here’s how they compare from a bird’s eye view:

Type of Insurance	When does it apply?	Benefits	Rates
Travel Health Insurance	If you need medical care during your trip	Reimbursement of outpatient and inpatient treatment costs.	From €1.10 per day
Travel Luggage Insurance	If your luggage or its contents are damaged or stolen	Reimbursement of lost/damaged luggage and parietal reimbursements of electronics (e.g., laptop)	From €1.50 per day
Travel Interruption Insurance	If you have to stop your trip unexpectedly	Expenses for returning to Germany will be reimbursed, as reimbursements for expenses paid for the days not spent on holiday.	From €4.00 per day
Travel Cancellation Insurance	If you cannot start your trip	Reimbursement of cancellation and rebooking fees	From €5.00 per day

You can choose to opt for only one type or combine them. We recommend the latter because you pay just a little more but protect yourself to a much greater extent.

Let’s dive into each of them in more detail.

Travel health insurance (travel medical insurance)

Travel health insurance provides coverage for healthcare needed during trips within or outside the EU, where statutory health insurance may not fully cover expenses abroad. Health insurance abroad typically covers immediate necessary treatments, but reimbursements are limited to what would be paid for similar treatment in Germany.

This type of insurance is highly recommended for trips outside Europe, such as to the USA, due to potential high medical costs. It's kind of like international health insurance, but less comprehensive.

The coverage would include:

Out-patient medical treatment
In-patient medical treatment
Dental pain relieving treatment, like simple fillings and repair of existing dentures
Medication, Dressing & Aids
Massages and physiotherapy
Medical transport, including the cost of transport for an accompanying traveler
Search and rescue operations
Repatriation and medical transport back home, if reasonable.

Luggage insurance

Travel luggage insurance covers the loss, damage, or destruction of luggage (and its contents) during trips, including stays at destinations and arrivals or departures.

Coverage specifics, such as which items are insured and reimbursement amounts, vary among insurers, so it’s crucial to review the policy details. Typically, all personal-use items are insured, including what you buy during the trip. Feather’s insurance can cover up to €2,000 in total value for your luggage and €4,000 for groups.

Travel luggage insurance applies in these scenarios:

Robbery or theft
Car, bus, flight accidents
Fire, heavy weather conditions, including floods, earth slides, earthquakes, and explosions.
Damages and delays caused by a transportation company
Fees for replacing identity cards, passports, motor vehicle documentation, and other types of ID

Trip interruption insurance

Trip interruption insurance applies when you need to cancel or cut short a trip due to unforeseen and serious reasons after it has begun. The extent of coverage varies based on the insurance provider and the specific policy. However, early return costs (e.g., return flights) and unused travel expenses (e.g., hotel stays) are almost always covered.

Trip cancellation insurance always kicks in if your trip extends unexpectedly (e.g., due to health issues preventing flying). It typically covers additional accommodation and return travel expenses incurred during the additional stay.

Here are some scenarios where our travel cancellation insurance would be applicable:

Sudden death of a close relative or traveler.
Illness or serious accidents.
Missed return flight due to public transport delay of at least 2 hours.
In case of severe property damage, like fire or burglary.

Travel cancellation insurance

Travel cancellation insurance protects travelers from unforeseen events that could disrupt their plans and result in financial loss. Imagine preparing for a long-anticipated vacation, only to face an unexpected event that forces you to cancel at the last minute. Without travel cancellation insurance, you might lose the money you invested in the trip.

With travel cancellation insurance, you can receive reimbursement for costs resulting from unforeseeable circumstances that prevent you from taking your trip. Many insurance plans also cover the costs of rebooking.

These are the most common scenarios where our travel cancellation insurance kicks in:

Getting sick: If you or a travel companion falls ill, you can cancel your trip and receive a refund.
Having an accident: An unexpected injury makes it impossible to travel; you’re covered.
Losing your job: If you lose your job, you can cancel your trip without financial loss.
Exam retakes: If they are scheduled during your planned trip, you can cancel or reschedule.
Public transportation delays: If a delay makes you miss your flight, you can get reimbursed.
Unexpected court summons: if you’re legally required to appear in court, you’re also insured.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance premiums in Germany can vary between providers. Most providers offer dynamic pricing based on:

Age: Older individuals generally face higher costs.
Coverage limits: coverage is proportional to the amount you will pay for travel insurance.
Duration of the policy: yearly policies are cheaper than trip-specific ones.

When should you get travel insurance?

Medical health insurance is highly recommended for all of your trips, even those in Europe.

This is because your German statutory (public) health insurance does not have great coverage abroad. For example, public health insurance would not cover search and rescue operations, which can cost thousands of euros.

Moreover, it will only cover the price of the procedure in Germany. For example, treating a bone fracture in the USA could cost up to €40,000, but in Germany, only around €10,000. This means that without travel health insurance you would pay the difference out of pocket.

For these reasons, we recommend getting medical health insurance if you plan to travel.

Travel cancellation and trip interruption insurance is recommended for expensive or frequent trips

Travel cancellation and trip interruption insurance is highly recommended for costly or frequent trips.

It’s particularly important if you have booked an expensive trip because it protects you from paying hefty cancellation fees if life forces you to cancel your plans. This is especially crucial when traveling with older adults or children, as they are more susceptible to unexpected illnesses.

In the end, the more expensive your trip is or the more people are involved, the more beneficial this insurance becomes.

Plus, if you travel frequently, the likelihood of travel disruptions increases, making this insurance even more valuable. Therefore, if you travel often or have planned an expensive trip, consider our yearly travel insurance plan to protect yourself and reduce your financial exposure.

Luggage insurance for those who want complete peace of mind

While airlines and tour operators typically cover up to €1,500 for damaged luggage, luggage insurance offers additional protection. This type of insurance is especially useful if you’re traveling with expensive items like musical instruments, as it covers your bags for the entire journey.

Still, you should keep your most valuable possessions either at home or in your carry-on to keep them safe.

How to get travel insurance in Germany

Research and compare coverage: Look into different travel insurance options. We recommend Feather’s travel insurance for German residents but use comparison websites to confirm which policy best suits your needs.
Compare prices: Decide what coverage you require. You can either request a quote or, like Feather’s insurance, get an instant price. Ensure the cost matches your age, desired coverage, and number of people covered. It’s worth mentioning that single-trip plans are more affordable than annual plans, starting at 10 euros. However, if you plan to travel more than twice a year (or for more than two weeks), annual plans offer far better value.
Check reviews: It’s important to check the reputation of your preferred company. You want one that’s on your side when you need it the most, not one you need to fight against.
Complete the application: Once you’ve chosen a provider, fill out their application form. Submit any required documents as instructed.
Get covered: If your application is accepted, your provider will issue a policy outlining your coverage, premiums, and terms. Carefully review and understand the policy details.

Frequently asked questions

Most travel insurance policies in Germany do not cover pre-existing medical conditions, meaning any illness or condition you had before purchasing the policy is typically excluded.

However, travel insurance will cover acute emergencies that arise from a pre-existing condition, such as a sudden heart attack requiring immediate hospitalization.

If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or asthma and need routine medication or treatment while abroad, this would generally not be covered.

Yes, travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 is mandatory when applying for a Schengen visa to visit Germany or other Schengen countries.

The policy must cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen area.

You'll need to provide proof of insurance when submitting your visa application, and the coverage dates must match or exceed your planned travel dates.

Apply for travel insurance at least 4 working days before your visa appointment to ensure you receive the documentation in time.

Standard travel insurance policies typically cover common vacation activities like skiing, snowboarding, and snorkeling without additional premiums.

However, high-risk activities such as scuba diving below 30 meters, bungee jumping, paragliding, or professional sports competitions are often excluded or require a special add-on.

Before booking adventure activities, check your policy's list of covered and excluded sports, as definitions vary significantly between insurers.

If your planned activity isn't covered, you may be able to purchase supplemental coverage or a specialized adventure sports policy.

To file a successful travel insurance claim, you need the original invoices and receipts for all medical treatments, medications, and expenses, with your full name and address clearly listed.

For medical claims, also collect doctor's reports, prescriptions, hospital discharge summaries, and any referral letters you received during treatment.

For luggage claims, you'll need a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) from the airline, police reports for theft, and receipts or photos proving the value of lost items.

Annual travel insurance policies from Germany typically cover multiple trips per year, with each individual trip limited to 42-56 days depending on the insurer.

If your trip exceeds the maximum duration, your coverage automatically ends on the day you reach the limit, leaving you uninsured for the remainder of your journey.

For longer trips such as sabbaticals, round-the-world travel, or extended stays abroad, you'll need a long-term travel insurance policy specifically designed for trips lasting several months to a year.