Unemployment and accident insurance

Social insurance protects against the financial consequences of major risks in life. These include old age, invalidity, illness, accident and unemployment. Many social insurances are compulsory. The contributions are often deducted directly from wages. Theft, floods or burglary are not a matter for social insurance. There are private insurances for these.

Anyone who loses their job gets money from unemployment insurance (ALV). All employees pay unemployment insurance contributions from their wages, including apprentices and older people. Anyone who has reached retirement age no longer pays these contributions. Anyone who becomes unemployed registers with the RAV. RAV stands for regional employment centre. It helps with looking for a job and checks your efforts.

All employees are insured against accidents. The occupational accident insurance pays for accidents at work, for example the hospital costs. The employer pays this premium. Anyone who works at least 8 hours a week is also insured in their free time (non-occupational accident). Employees pay this part through a deduction from their wages.

Memory aid: RAV: this is where work is arranged (Arbeitsvermittlung).