How does Health Insurance in .DE Work? *confused cyclist*!

[medion]

Hello all,

Apologies for the English... I was wondering if someone could help me with private health insurance? I have been living here for six months without any, and maybe it is time for me to sort it out? I don't know how or what to do...

Funnily enough I am a German citizen (there is a long and good explanation as to why I can't speak the language!) - is there some kind of cheap option Germans can take advantage of? Can anyone recommend companies which I can attempt to call up? I don't need anythingn spectacular, just something to cover me if I get hit by a car or something...

Thanks so much, nick

 

[TiVo]

Are you registered here in Germany with your main adress?
No -> You will not get a german health insurence
yes ->
Are you employed (e.g. a daily job at the university...)
yes -> than it could be easy, just pass me a line with some details about your job and your hometown and we will sort it out
no ->
Do you have income here (as an independent dealer, stuff like this...)
yes -> you may enter a private health insurance (not really my skills...)
no ->
what the hell are doing (just a joke)
Are you offically unemployed?
yes -> ask your "Betreuer" at the "Job Center"
no ->
hmmm dunno

 

[joerg_ffm]

… private health insurance?

TiVo's list is great, and this might be a good link for further questions on private health insurance: http://www.fairsicherungsladen-frankfurt.de/ (They are independent insurance brokers; I am a client there.)

 

[automatic_sheep]

hmm, I assume you might be talking private insurance to make sure you're completely covered and right now you don't have any insurance at all.

Dunno how it is in Oz, but in in the UK&USA public health insurance doesn't really cover much (especially in my dear old home). It's different here though. If you're covered by on of the "publics" there's not much that isn't covered (a lot changing there tho). It's often better to be insured there and maybe have additional coverage for dental works and so on. If I'm barking up the wrong tree here just say so Like tivo said, if general health coverage is what you're looking for AND you have a job, it's no prob at all...

 

[medion]

hi guys - thanks for your help. my situation is as a contractor with a british firm, so i imagine i would fit under the 'private' category. yes i am registered here in germany (they tried to get me into the army - thankfully they decided not to in the end!) at my main address.

i had a look at www.fairsicherungsladen-frankfurt.de but i can't quite figure out how it works or what they do. should i talk to them and they will make an independant recommendation?

thanks! nick

 

[TiVo]

I'm getting on thin ice (is that an english idiom as well?)
As a contractor for an English company I see two possibilities (or three to be honest)
1) The English company is responsible for your insurance
2) You are considered as "selbstständig" (kind of independent whatever) -> ask joerg_ffm
3) Your stay here is limited, than it might be possible to get a travel insurance valid for 6 moth or so...

 

[joerg_ffm]

should i talk to them and they will make an independant recommendation?

Yup.

And since you are not based in Frankfurt, here is a link to their "network": http://www.fairsicherungsmakler.de/html/fairladen.html

 

[medion]

tivo, yes that expression 'on thin ice' exists, however in the context you said it, it sounds like you're getting annoyed at me!

i think i fit under 2) as i will be here for quite awhile... thanks for the link joerg

 

[TiVo]

No, you're not annoying me
I just wanted to express, that my knowledge about private health insurances is fairly limited...
Nevertheless, we still have joerg to work it out for you