Glossary – Insurance terms from A to Z

Letter S

Scope of cover

The scope of cover indicates the countries in which travel insurance applies. The insurance only provides the described travel cover in the countries specified in the scope of validity.

Security for online booking (SSL encryption)

We guarantee the highest level of security in handling your data when you book a HanseMerkur travel insurance within our booking section.

What is SSL?

SSL (abbreviation for "Secure Socket Layer") is a generally recognised encryption protocol for data transmission on the Internet. SSL ensures that your data is sent over the internet in encrypted form and is protected from unwanted access and manipulation.

Start of insurance

The insurance start date is not the same as the booking or closing date. The protection provided by the insurance policy applies from the start of the insurance. Insurance cover commences on the date documented in the insurance confirmation (provided the insurance premium has been paid). It also depends on the type of insurance:

  • Cancellation protection insurance: from payment of the premium at the earliest
  • Travel health insurance
    • Travel health insurance: with the start of the journey at the earliest
    • Health insurance for foreign guests (incoming): Commencement of insurance at the earliest upon entry into Germany or the countries of the European Union, as well as Switzerland or Liechtenstein
  • Annual insurance cover: at the earliest on the agreed date
Stay abroad

A stay abroad refers to a stay outside one's home country – regardless of the duration. However, this is usually understood to mean a longer-term stay, e.g. for a school exchange, a study or internship abroad, but also for a temporary professional activity abroad.

During a stay abroad, you are not protected by the statutory health insurance for all situations and not everywhere. It is, therefore, advisable to have international health insurance abroad, which can also be supplemented with accident and liability insurance, for example:

Travel health insurance

Travel health insurance for pupils & students 

Annual travel health insurance

Sum insured

The sum insured is the maximum amount that the insurance company pays out to the insured person in the event of a claim. In principle, the insurance company shall pay the amount of actual damage suffered in the event of a claim. However, if a sum insured has been agreed, it shall pay no more than this amount. The sum insured is also known as the sum covered. Without this limit, insurance premiums would rise immeasurably.