Insurance Check at 18

When your child turns 18, a new chapter in life begins. They’ll also take on more responsibility for their own finances—for example, when it comes to insurance. Together, you should review which insurance policies can remain under the family’s name and which ones your child will need to take out on their own in the future. We’ve summarized the most important information for you here.

Determine which types of insurance coverage are essential, and discuss together where your child would like to purchase optional insurance.  

Some types of insurance are particularly important:

• Health insurance is essential and required by law.
• Everyone should definitely have private liability insurance.

Whether additional insurance is advisable depends heavily on your child’s individual circumstances and plans—for example, whether they are still in school, starting vocational training, attending college, or working. If they’re planning a longer stay abroad or a semester abroad, international travel health insurance might be a good idea.

You should also check whether and when additional insurance policies make sense or whether existing policies can be canceled if necessary—for example, cell phone, laptop, luggage, or bicycle insurance.

Personal liability insurance is one of the most important types of insurance. It protects your child from the financial consequences of personal injury, property damage, or financial loss caused by them.  

As a rule, your child remains covered under their parents’ liability insurance even after turning 18, provided the following conditions are met:

• While in school
• During vocational training
• While in college
• If your child lives in the parents’ household

It is only necessary to take out their own private liability insurance when they are about to move out of the parental home or finish their education.  

If in doubt, check with your insurance provider.

Most young people can remain covered by their parents’ family health insurance plan—at no cost to them—until they turn 25. This generally applies to

• students,
• young people in the Federal Volunteer Service,  
• apprentices,  
• college students.  

Different rules apply to students who are older than 25 or whose income from additional earnings or part-time jobs exceeds the rather tight income limits.  

Be sure to check with your health insurance provider directly for more information.

For children who are covered by their parents’ private health insurance, turning 18 usually doesn’t change anything. Insurance coverage generally remains in effect.

When your daughter or son begins vocational training or starts college, they can usually decide for themselves whether to remain privately insured or switch to public health insurance.  

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

Disability insurance can actually be a good idea even for apprentices and students.

Disability insurance provides coverage in the event of occupational disability or invalidity even while you’re still in training or pursuing your studies, should you be unable to pursue your desired career due to health reasons.

Taking out a policy early in life has the advantage of lower premiums, as your age and health profile have a positive impact on the rates.

Here, too, it’s worth seeking personalized advice and comparing rates.

Private insurance protects against the financial consequences of needing long-term care or becoming disabled as a result of an accident.

Consider how important this insurance coverage is to your child and what it will cost.

Does your child occasionally use the family car? If so, remember that you must add your daughter or son as an additional driver on your auto insurance policy.  

If your child drives their own car, you may be able to save on insurance premiums by registering their first car as a second vehicle under the mother’s or father’s name. This allows you to transfer your no-claims discount and take advantage of lower premiums. Otherwise, as a new driver, your child will pay the highest rates.