Germany - Insurance and phone questions

Hi,

I'll be in Germany this summer for a language course. I've reserved the course but haven't paid for it yet.

I plan to purchase insurance (in case I have to cancel, in case I get sick while in Germany, etc.). Questions:

1. Can anyone recommend particular companies (or companies to avoid)?

2. Do I have to get the insurance before I pay for the course?


I would like to get a cell phone for occasional calls to/from the USA, as my current phone doesn't have international capability. Questions:

1. Is it possible to get a phone that I can activate when I'm in Germany, de-activate after I return to the USA, and re-activate whenever I go abroad again?

2. Do they sell cell phones in the Munich or Berlin-Tegel airports? How much do they cost?

3. Is there a cell phone FAQ discussion on Flyertalk or another forum?


Thanks,
H_X

Hi,

I'll be in Germany this summer for a language course.

in this case, our Germany forum is a better place for this thread.
please follow it at its new home :)

regards,

chrissxb
co-moderator
europe forum

Europäische gives decently priced health and liability cover (20-30€/month) for visitors to germany: http://www.reiseversicherung.de/en/erv/products/leisure/buchungsassistent_students_aupair_en.html

Whenever friends visited me in Germany and required coverage (Germany checks this before issuing a visa) I got them one of the above.

For the cell phone, refer to the thread in this forum. You should buy a cheap GSM phone on ebay or other sources and then stick a 10€ prepaid SIM card in it when you arrive.

Hi,

I'll be in Germany this summer for a language course. I've reserved the course but haven't paid for it yet.

I plan to purchase insurance (in case I have to cancel, in case I get sick while in Germany, etc.). Questions:

1. Can anyone recommend particular companies (or companies to avoid)?

2. Do I have to get the insurance before I pay for the course?


I would like to get a cell phone for occasional calls to/from the USA, as my current phone doesn't have international capability. Questions:

1. Is it possible to get a phone that I can activate when I'm in Germany, de-activate after I return to the USA, and re-activate whenever I go abroad again?

2. Do they sell cell phones in the Munich or Berlin-Tegel airports? How much do they cost?

3. Is there a cell phone FAQ discussion on Flyertalk or another forum?


Thanks,
H_X

Here is the SIM thread with some cost ideas. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/germany/1201563-how-much-should-german-sim-card-cost.html Are you connecting in MUC onwards to TXL? If you have a relatively longer layover (or changing terminals) you could look at the FONIC listed at the Müller drugstore which is in the central terminal. It has a decent long distance rate to North America.

There is also an electronics shop as well as a Tchibo coffee shop which does mobile service.

If you have the right type of unlocked phone you just need a SIM card. Here is a very long thread about all that: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/569462-how-much-european-sim-card-exactly.html

I don't think that you would have quite as much luck landing at TXL but you won't have a problem finding ample selection of phones and plans and SIM cards in Berlin.