Job Discussion Forums

[tracey.v]

I have just arrived in Germany and am going to spend a little bit here trying to find a job teaching English. Possibly a stupid idea, but worth a shot.

I got a little confused before I came, apparently, and went with travel medical insurance... from what I've read on this forum, that's not enough. I have 30 days to cancel it and get something else. Can anyone provide me with advice on which companies to look into?

thanks!

[Hod]

Please form an orderly queue when replying.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=741074&highlight=#741074

Versicherungsvertragsgesetz (Insurance Law � applies from 1st January 2009)
� 193 Para 3
Jede Person mit Wohnsitz im Inland ist verpflichtet, bei einem in Deutschland zum Gesch�ftsbetrieb zugelassenen Versicherungsunternehmen ... eine Krankheitskostenversicherung...
(Every person with residence in Germany must have health insurance with a company approved to operate in Germany.)

If you�re not an EU citizen, you�d have to produce details of your health insurance when registering for any sort of visa. From my limited experience, travel insurance would not be accepted.

If you�re from the EU, however, no one official would ever check your insurance. So, travel insurance is OK for a year or two, but if you decide to stay and take out �proper� insurance, unbelievable as it may seem, a German insurer has the right to demand premiums from the date you started living in Germany.

Surprisingly, it�s no more expensive to take out health insurance through a broker. Try www.toytowngermany.com, where two decent brokers help folk out. Don�t do your own insurance.