German Insurance Terms | Vocabulary List

German Insurance Terms

Last Updated: 02.08.2025
This article is part of our German vocabulary series. Also make sure to check out our A1 / A2 online German lessons and our German reading material.

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 Versicherung
insurance
der Versicherer
insurer / insurance provider
der Versicherte
the insured person
der Vertrag
contract / agreement
die Versicherungspolice
insurance policy
die Prämie
premium / monthly contribution

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 Krankenversicherung
health insurance
die gesetzliche Krankenversicherung
public health insurance
die private Krankenversicherung
private health insurance
die Krankenkasse
health insurance provider (public)
die Versichertenkarte
insurance card
die Gesundheitskarte
electronic health card
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 Haftpflichtversicherung
liability insurance
die Hausratversicherung
household contents insurance
die Mietwohnung
rented apartment
die Beschädigung
damage
der Diebstahl
theft
die Absicherung
coverage / 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-Versicherung
car insurance
die Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung
motor liability insurance (required)
die Teilkaskoversicherung
partial coverage (e.g. theft, fire)
die Vollkaskoversicherung
full coverage (includes own damage)
das Kennzeichen
license plate
der Fahrzeugschein
vehicle registration document
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 Lebensversicherung
life insurance
die Risikolebensversicherung
term life insurance
die Reiseversicherung
travel insurance
die Reiserücktrittsversicherung
trip cancellation insurance
die Auslandskrankenversicherung
travel 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.

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