German Insurance Terms

About this list

A curated list of essential German insurance terms — organized into categories with translations and example sentences. A practical starting point for using these words in real conversations.

Insurance is part of everyday life in Germany. Whether you live here, work here, or are just getting started, you’ll quickly notice that insurance comes up often.

In this guide, we'll teach you the most important German vocabulary related to insurance. A bit boring? Okay, true. But very useful.

Basic Insurance Vocabulary

Let’s start with the key words that apply to most types of insurance.

die Versicherunginsurance
der Versichererinsurer / insurance provider
der Versichertethe insured person
der Vertragcontract / agreement
die Versicherungspoliceinsurance policy
die Prämiepremium / monthly contribution
der Beitragcontribution / fee
der Schadendamage / loss
die Selbstbeteiligungdeductible / excess
der Leistungsfallcase of claim / insured event

Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. There are public and private options. These are the most important words related to health insurance.

die Krankenversicherunghealth insurance
die gesetzliche Krankenversicherungpublic health insurance
die private Krankenversicherungprivate health insurance
die Krankenkassehealth insurance provider (public)
die Versichertenkarteinsurance card
die Gesundheitskarteelectronic health card
die Zuzahlungcopayment
der Arztbesuchvisit to the doctor
die Behandlungtreatment

Ich bin bei einer gesetzlichen Krankenkasse versichert.

I am insured with a public health insurance provider.

Die private Krankenversicherung ist oft teurer.

Private health insurance is often more expensive.

Zeigen Sie bitte Ihre Gesundheitskarte.

Please show your health card.

Liability & Household Insurance

Two of the most common types of personal insurance in Germany are liability insurance and household contents insurance. These are often recommended for renters and families.

die Haftpflichtversicherungliability insurance
die Hausratversicherunghousehold contents insurance
die Mietwohnungrented apartment
die Beschädigungdamage
der Diebstahltheft
die Absicherungcoverage / protection

Die Haftpflichtversicherung ist in Deutschland sehr wichtig.

Liability insurance is very important in Germany.

Die Hausratversicherung schützt bei Einbruch oder Wasserschaden.

Household contents insurance protects in case of burglary or water damage.

Ich brauche eine Haftpflichtversicherung für meine Wohnung.

I need liability insurance for my apartment.

Car Insurance

If you own a car in Germany, insurance is mandatory. Here are the key terms for understanding car insurance documents or talking to your provider.

die Kfz-Versicherungcar insurance
die Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherungmotor liability insurance (required)
die Teilkaskoversicherungpartial coverage (e.g. theft, fire)
die Vollkaskoversicherungfull coverage (includes own damage)
das Kennzeichenlicense plate
der Fahrzeugscheinvehicle registration document
die Zulassungvehicle registration

Ich brauche eine Kfz-Versicherung, um mein Auto anzumelden.

I need car insurance to register my car.

Die Haftpflicht ist gesetzlich vorgeschrieben.

Liability insurance is required by law.

Ich habe eine Vollkasko abgeschlossen.

I took out full coverage insurance.

Life & Travel Insurance

In some situations, you might also hear or need life or travel insurance terms.

die Lebensversicherunglife insurance
die Risikolebensversicherungterm life insurance
die Reiseversicherungtravel insurance
die Reiserücktrittsversicherungtrip cancellation insurance
die Auslandskrankenversicherungtravel health insurance

Für längere Reisen ins Ausland ist eine Auslandskrankenversicherung sinnvoll.

For longer trips abroad, travel health insurance makes sense.

Die Reiserücktrittsversicherung deckt Stornokosten ab.

Trip cancellation insurance covers cancellation costs.

Er hat eine Lebensversicherung für seine Familie abgeschlossen.

He took out life insurance for his family.

Final Thoughts

Insurance in Germany is a part of everyday life, and the vocabulary that goes with it is essential. We hope that this guide has been helpful to you, and that you'll feel more confident when you receive letters from insurance providers or will have to fill out forms in the future.

If we've missed any important terms or phrases, feel free to get in touch with us and let us know.

German Insurance Terms (B1) | Vocabulary List