Recasts with confirmationFRANKFURT, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Germany will give financial assistance to customers hit by the insolvency of Thomas Cook because the tour operator's insurance cover has proved insufficient, it said on Wednesday."Damages that are not compensated by other parties will be settled by the federal government," it said in a statement, confirming a report by broadcaster ARD.Insurer Zurich's ZURN.S liability is capped at 110 million euros ($121 million) but it has already registered claims worth 250 million and experts estimate total claims will reach 300 million to 500 million euros, ARD said.A legal opinion commissioned by Zurich concluded that state liability is possible because the German government inadequately implemented a 2015 EU directive meant to ensure customers get their money back in the case of the insolvency of a tour operator, the report said.($1 = 0.9073 euros)(Reporting by Thomas Seythal in Berlin and Arno Schuetze in Frankfurt; Writing by Madeline Chambers in Berlin; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and David Clarke)((arno.schuetze@thomsonreuters.com; +49.69.7565.1197; Reuters Messaging: arno.schuetze.reuters.com@reuters.net))The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.