Welcome to the Black Forest! - Hochschule Furtwangen

coming to Germany. Your coverage will have to be officially approved by the
German health insurance company in charge, the AOK (address see above). You
will receive a written confirmation notice, which is accepted as proof of health
insurance when you enroll at the university.
5.7 Accident- and Liability Insurance
Enrolled students are covered by a statutory accident insurance, on their way to
the university and on its grounds. The fee for student services paid by every
student each semester also includes additional accident coverage for leisure
activities.
The liability insurance included in this fee only covers activities directly related to
your studies. We therefore highly recommend that you take out additional
liability insurance that covers activities outside your studies (traffic
accidents, rented accommodation etc).
For further information please contact the International Center.
5.8 Financial Services
To open a bank account you need to bring your passport or national identity card
and your student ID-card to get a bank account free of charge.
In Germany, direct debit cards are usually used to pay for purchases in stores
and for larger items. Direct money transfers (Überweisung) are also very
common. For recurring payments, such as rent or electricity, you may set up
automatic transfers (Dauerauftrag), or else authorize the creditor to draw the
amount owed directly out of your account (Einzugsermächtigung).
If you pay with your direct debit card (EC-Karte) in a store, or authorize a creditor,
such as your landlord, to draw the amount owed out of your account directly, you
must authorize the transaction in writing (in a store, you may do this by signing a
receipt or else by using your personal identification number). This type of
transaction is known as Lastschrift.
Credit cards can be used in most larger stores and many service type enterprises,
but are not as widely accepted as in other countries, such as the United States.
Most locals pay with their direct debit card (EC-Karte) instead.
31