German for Travel Insurance: Asking Whether Medical Costs Are Covered
Learn to ask whether a German travel policy covers medical expenses, understand key coverage terms, and discuss deductibles and exclusions in a real conversation.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you buy or use travel insurance in a German-speaking country, the decisive question is often whether medical treatment abroad is covered. This lesson gives you the exact question forms and vocabulary you need: asking 'Sind die Arztkosten gedeckt?', checking what a policy includes, and understanding terms such as Deckung, Selbstbeteiligung and Ausschluss. You will practise polite du and Sie forms, learn the difference between versichert and gedeckt, and work through a realistic conversation at a German insurance office.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a travel insurance policy covers medical expenses.
- understand and use key German insurance terms such as Deckung, Selbstbeteiligung and Ausschluss.
- ask follow-up questions about what is included, excluded or reimbursed.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Sind die Arztkosten gedeckt?
Are the medical expenses covered?
zint dee ART-kos-ten guh-DEKT
The most direct way to ask about medical coverage. Use Sie with staff; with friends, 'Sind die Arztkosten gedeckt?' stays the same because the subject is plural.
Ist eine stationäre Behandlung mitversichert?
Is inpatient treatment also covered?
ist EYE-nuh shta-tsyo-NEH-ruh buh-HAND-loong MIT-fair-zih-khert
'mitversichert' means included in the same policy. Useful when you want to know whether hospital stays are part of the plan.
Wie hoch ist die Selbstbeteiligung?
How high is the deductible?
vee hohkh ist dee ZELPST-buh-tie-li-goong
Selbstbeteiligung is the amount you pay yourself before the insurer pays. Common in German policies.
Was ist von der Deckung ausgeschlossen?
What is excluded from the coverage?
vas ist fon dair DEH-koong OWS-guh-shlos-sen
Asks about exclusions. 'Deckung' is the standard word for coverage in insurance contexts.
Werden die Kosten erstattet?
Will the costs be reimbursed?
VAIR-den dee KOS-ten air-SHTA-tet
Use this when you pay first and want money back. 'erstatten' is the verb for reimbursing.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask whether something is covered, use 'Ist/Sind ... gedeckt?' or 'Ist ... versichert?'. 'gedeckt' focuses on whether the policy pays; 'versichert' focuses on whether the risk is insured. Examples: 'Ist eine Zahnbehandlung gedeckt?' (Is dental treatment covered?), 'Sind Medikamente versichert?' (Are medications insured?). For a person, say 'Bin ich versichert?' (Am I insured?). Note that German uses the passive-like participle, not a form of 'to cover' as a main verb in these questions.
When to use it
Use these questions when speaking to insurance staff, using Sie: 'Können Sie mir sagen, ob die Arztkosten gedeckt sind?' In a more informal setting with a friend or a broker you know well, du is fine: 'Weißt du, ob die Arztkosten gedeckt sind?' When you want to ask about a specific situation, add a time or place: 'Ist eine Behandlung im Ausland gedeckt?' or 'Sind Notfälle in den USA mitversichert?' This keeps the question precise and avoids misunderstandings.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, ich habe eine Frage zu meiner Reiseversicherung. Sind die Arztkosten im Ausland gedeckt?
Good day, I have a question about my travel insurance. Are medical expenses abroad covered?GOO-ten tahk, ikh HAH-buh EYE-nuh FRAH-guh tsoo MY-nuh RYE-zuh-fair-zih-khe-roong. zint dee ART-kos-ten im OWS-lant guh-DEKT?Ja, Arztkosten sind gedeckt, aber nur bei akuten Erkrankungen. Wie hoch ist Ihre Selbstbeteiligung?
Yes, medical expenses are covered, but only for acute illnesses. How high is your deductible?yah, ART-kos-ten zint guh-DEKT, AH-bair noor bye ah-KOO-ten air-KRANG-koong-en. vee hohkh ist EE-ruh ZELPST-buh-tie-li-goong?Ich glaube, 150 Euro. Ist eine stationäre Behandlung auch mitversichert? Und was ist ausgeschlossen?
I think 150 euros. Is inpatient treatment also covered? And what is excluded?ikh GLOW-buh, HOON-dert-fuenf-tsikh OY-ro. ist EYE-nuh shta-tsyo-NEH-ruh buh-HAND-loong owkh MIT-fair-zih-khert? unt vas ist OWS-guh-shlos-sen?Stationäre Behandlung ist mitversichert. Ausgeschlossen sind chronische Erkrankungen und Behandlungen, die nicht medizinisch notwendig sind.
Inpatient treatment is included. Excluded are chronic illnesses and treatments that are not medically necessary.shta-tsyo-NEH-ruh buh-HAND-loong ist MIT-fair-zih-khert. OWS-guh-shlos-sen zint khro-NEE-zuh air-KRANG-koong-en unt buh-HAND-loon-gen, dee nikht meh-dih-TSEE-nish noh-TVEN-dikh zint.A little context goes a long way
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, insurance staff usually address customers with Sie and expect a formal tone. 'Reiseversicherung' often refers to a package that may include medical, cancellation and baggage coverage, so always ask which parts apply. In Switzerland, 'Selbstbehalt' is more common than 'Selbstbeteiligung' for the deductible, and policies may use 'Franchise'. Regional usage varies; when in doubt, ask for the 'Versicherungsbedingungen' in writing.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Ist die Arztkosten gedeckt?' with a singular verb.
Try this instead: 'Arztkosten' is plural in German, so use 'Sind die Arztkosten gedeckt?' If you mean a single cost, say 'Ist die Behandlung gedeckt?' (Is the treatment covered?).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask an insurance agent whether inpatient treatment is covered?
Show a sample answer
Ist eine stationäre Behandlung mitversichert?
This uses 'mitversichert' to ask whether it is included in the same policy. 'Ist eine stationäre Behandlung gedeckt?' is also correct and slightly more general.
2What does 'Selbstbeteiligung' mean, and how would you ask how high it is?
Show a sample answer
It means deductible. Ask: Wie hoch ist die Selbstbeteiligung?
'Wie hoch ist ...?' is the standard question for amounts. In Switzerland you may hear 'Selbstbehalt' or 'Franchise' instead.
3Translate: 'Are medications covered, or are they excluded?'
Show a sample answer
Sind Medikamente gedeckt oder ausgeschlossen?
This contrasts 'gedeckt' and 'ausgeschlossen'. You could also ask 'Sind Medikamente versichert?' if you mean whether they are part of the insured benefits.
Ask 'Sind die Arztkosten gedeckt?' first, then check 'Was ist ausgeschlossen?' and 'Wie hoch ist die Selbstbeteiligung?' to understand the real coverage.
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