Insurance check at 18

When your child turns 18, a new phase of life begins. Responsibility for their own finances also grows, for example when it comes to insurance. Together, you should check which insurance policies can continue to run through the family and which insurance policies your child will need themselves in the future. We have summarized the most important information for you here.

Check which insurance cover is essential and discuss together where your child would like to take out voluntary insurance.

Some types of insurance are particularly important:

• Health insurance is essential and legally required.
• Everyone should have private liability insurance.

Whether other types of insurance make sense depends largely on your child's individual life situation and plans. For example, whether your child is still at school, starting an apprenticeship, studying or working. If they are going to be spending a longer period or semester abroad, for example, foreign travel health insurance may make sense.

Also check whether and when additional insurance makes sense or if existing policies can be terminated, for example cell phone, laptop, luggage or bicycle insurance.

Private liability insurance is one of the most important types of insurance. It protects your child against the financial consequences of self-inflicted personal injury, property damage or financial loss.

As a rule, your child is covered by their parents' liability insurance even after their 18th birthday. As a rule, your child will continue to be covered by their parents' liability insurance beyond their 18th birthday as long as the following conditions are met:

• During school
• During training
• During studies
• If your child lives in the parents' household

It is only necessary to take out your own private liability insurance when you move out of your parents' home, when they move out of their parents' home or finish their education.

If in doubt, ask your insurance provider.

Most young people can remain covered by statutory health insurance free of charge up to the age of 25 via their parents' family insurance. This generally applies to

• students,
• young people doing federal voluntary service,
• Auszubildende,
• Studierende.

Other regulations apply to students who are older than 25 or whose income from additional earnings or part-time jobs exceeds the very tight income limits.

It is essential that you find out directly from your health insurance provider.

For children who have private health insurance through their parents, nothing usually changes when they turn 18. The insurance cover usually remains in place.

At the time when your daughter or son starts an apprenticeship or begins studying, your child can usually decide for themselves whether they want to remain privately insured or switch to statutory health insurance.

A personal consultation with the health insurance provider will help you make the right decision.

Disability insurance can actually make sense for trainees and students.

In the event of occupational disability or invalidity, occupational disability insurance provides protection even during training or studies if the desired profession can no longer be pursued for health reasons.

Taking out insurance at an early age has the advantage that the insurance rates are cheaper because age and health profile have a positive effect.

It is also worth seeking personal advice and comparing rates here.

Private insurance protects against financial consequences in the event of long-term care or possible disability as a result of an accident.

Weigh up how important this insurance cover is for your child and how much it will cost.

Does your child use the family car from time to time? Then remember that you must register your daughter or son as an additional driver with the car insurance company.

If your child drives their own car, you may be able to save on insurance premiums by registering their first car as a second car in their mother's or father's name. You can then take over the no-claims bonus and benefit from lower premiums. As a new driver, your child will otherwise pay the highest rates.