Household contents insurance in Germany (Hausratversicherung)

Who needs it

Hausratversicherung (household contents insurance) is optional. It covers the things inside your home: furniture, clothes, electronics, kitchen equipment, and often bikes stored in a locked room.

The Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre) says it makes sense for many households, because replacing everything after a fire or major water damage is more than most people can pay at once.

It is less important if:

• you live in a furnished room or flat and own few things,
• you could easily replace what you own from savings.

It does not cover the building itself. That is the owner's building insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung). It also does not cover damage you cause to others. That is liability insurance.

When

Take it out when you move into a home with belongings worth protecting. It only covers damage that happens after the start date in your contract.

What it covers

Standard policies cover your belongings against:

Usually not covered:

• Simple theft without a break-in, for example from an unlocked flat or a shared hallway.
• Natural hazards such as flooding, heavy rain and backflow. These need an extra natural-hazards add-on (Elementarschadenversicherung).
• Items used for business.

Outside your home: belongings that are temporarily away, usually for no longer than 3 months, have limited worldwide cover (Außenversicherung), for example luggage stolen from a hotel room after a break-in.

What to look for

Sum insured (Versicherungssumme)

The sum insured should match the cost of buying everything new again. If it is too low, you are underinsured (Unterversicherung), and the insurer pays only part of each claim. Example: if you insure €50,000 but your things are worth €100,000, you get only half of any claim.

A simple way to avoid this: many policies accept a flat amount per square metre of living space and then give up the underinsurance deduction (Unterversicherungsverzicht). The usual minimum is €650 per square metre. If you own a lot of valuable things, calculate the real value instead.

Valuables (Wertsachen)

Cash, jewellery, watches and similar valuables are only covered up to a limit, often a percentage of the sum insured. Check the limit if you own expensive items.

Bicycle theft

Without an add-on, a bike is usually only covered if it is stolen after a break-in, for example from a locked cellar or bike room. For theft from the street, you need a bike theft add-on (Fahrradklausel). Check:

• whether older policies only cover theft between 6 am and 10 pm,
• that you use a separate bike lock (a built-in frame lock may not count),
• how much of the sum insured bikes are covered for.

Other points

• Gross negligence (grobe Fahrlässigkeit): some policies pay even if you were careless, for example leaving a window open. Others cut the payment.
• Hotel costs if your flat becomes unusable after a covered event.
• Deductible (Selbstbeteiligung): lowers the premium but you pay the first part of every claim.

How to do it

1. Measure your living space and estimate the value of your belongings.
2. Decide whether you need extras: bike theft, natural hazards, glass.
3. Compare policies using the points above. See the comparison page.
4. When you move, tell your insurer your new address and size. The sum insured may need updating.

Common problems

Is household insurance mandatory for renters in Germany?

No. It is optional. It is worth considering if replacing your things would be hard.

Does it cover my laptop if I break it?

No. Accidental damage you cause to your own things is normally not covered. It covers named risks like fire, water, burglary and storm.

Is my bike covered?

Only after a break-in, unless you add bike theft cover. Check the conditions for where and when the bike must be locked.

What happens when I move?

Tell the insurer your new address and living space before you move. The premium and the sum insured can change, and a bigger flat may need a higher sum insured.