Whilst you may be the most cautious and law-abiding of citizens, and even have liability insurance, there may well be an occasion when you will require some form of legal insurance.
For example: Employee/employer disputes or the famous ‘schmerzgeld’ (pain money), usually claimed following an assault or accident (not Employer/employee disputes hopefully!)
Do however ensure that you have the appropriate cover. Although you may be considering a general ‘Legal Insurance’ you may find this is specific and covers either only personal issues or vehicle issues and not, for example, employment disputes.
The aptly named AdvoCard provides a range of legal insurance covers. Further details are available from Culpecks.
Liability
Insurance
In the UK liability insurance is often provided as a part of a normal Home Contents Insurance. It is also hardly ever ‘noticed’ or regarded as a necessity, and is rarely used.
In Germany however the situation is very different. There is a large range of liability insurances covering many different scenarios.
Everyone in Germany needs some sort of liability cover. The most common is private liability (known as public liability in the UK). This provides cover in the event of you causing damage to third parties or their property.
Herein lies the fundamental difference between the German ‘culture’ and UK. A typical UK Home Contents insurance policy would invariably cover any of your own property loss or damage caused by a third party.
In Germany it does not, and you would be expected to claim on the third party’s liability insurance – likewise if you cause loss or damage to a third party or their property you would be expected to have liability insurance to cover their losses or damages – or face the consequences of possible legal action.
Self employed persons need to consider a specific insurance relevant to their trade or profession - Business Liability (Betriebshaftpflicht).
For example a Hairdresser or Beautician would need professional liability cover in the event he/she damaged a client in the course of treatment.
UK/International insurers invariably automatically include liability insurance as part of the ‘package’, in a Home Contents/Personal Possessions contract. However in the event of a claim there may be difficulties reconciling the UK/International underwriting constraints with the German Law.
It is therefore suggested that a German liability insurance cover is taken, even if a UK/International Home Contents and Personal Possessions insurance is also taken. See separate product guide on Home Contents & Personal Possessions insurance.
Liability insurance in respect of motor vehicles is included in normal motor vehicle insurance. See the information under Motor Vehicle insurance.
The Generali insurance company, a world-wide organization, can provide most forms of liability insurance in German. The contracts are in the German language but applications and a summary of cover in English are available
The premiums are very affordable. For example: €1
Million cover for a single person would cost from around €
60 per annum, or for a family from around € 90 per annum.
For further details click below: