Now, I donŽt know if this has been covered on this forum before and IŽm not sure if this is the right place to park it but...
IŽve been in Germany for over 20 years and had never heard of " private Haftpflichtversicherung " (personal liability insurance) when I arrived.
80% of Germans have this insurance but most expats, especially new arrivals here, have never heard of it.
Why do 80% of Germans have such an insurance? ItŽs because of German law ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch §823 Schadenersatzpflicht ),which means you are legally liable for death, injury or other harm to another personŽs health or damage to the property (eg your landlordŽs).
Typical examples are if youŽre on a bike and accidentally run someone over or crash into the back of their car or even step in front of a bus or tram, causing the driver to brake and maybe injuring passengers whilst doing so. Or you drop a bottle onto your landlordŽs washbasin and crack it..and he wants a replacement paid for!
These things happen so often....
Do your research on this - itŽs not expensive and could save your financial life!