Home Contents Insurance in Germany: What's Covered and How Much Do You Need?

What is Hausratversicherung?

The Hausratversicherung – literally "household contents insurance" – protects all moveable belongings inside your home: furniture, electronics, clothing, jewellery, bicycles (within limits), and personal items. In the event of a claim, the insurer pays the replacement value – what it would cost to buy the items new today, not their depreciated second-hand value.

One important distinction: Hausratversicherung covers your possessions, not the building itself. The building is covered by a separate Wohngebäudeversicherung (residential building insurance), which is typically taken out by the property owner.

For renters in Germany, household contents insurance is not legally mandatory – but it is widely considered one of the most worthwhile voluntary insurance policies available. A single burglary or apartment fire can destroy your entire household contents, the replacement value of which can easily run into tens of thousands of euros.

What Does It Cover?

Burglary and Theft (Einbruchdiebstahl)

If a burglar breaks in and takes your laptop, jewellery, or cash, the insurance covers the replacement cost. Note: cash and valuables are usually subject to a sublimit (typically €1,000–2,000 for cash). If you keep more at home, check the exact conditions carefully.

Fire and Smoke Damage

Fire, lightning strikes, explosions, and smoke damage caused by fire are all covered. If a technical fault causes your kitchen to go up in flames, the policy pays for the damaged contents.

Water Damage from Pipes (Leitungswasser)

Burst pipes, a leaking washing machine, or a faulty dishwasher – water damage from household plumbing is one of the most common causes of claims in German homes. Coverage applies to damage caused by water from fixed pipes or connected appliances.

Rainwater seeping through a window or flooding from rivers and streams is not included in standard coverage – that requires the optional Elementar add-on.

Storm and Hail (Sturm/Hagel)

Damage caused by storms from wind force 8 (Beaufort scale) upwards is covered. If a storm tears off the roof and your furniture gets ruined, or hail breaks through a skylight and soaks your belongings, these are Hausrat claims.

Vandalism

If a burglar damages or destroys furniture and fittings during a break-in, that vandalism is typically covered alongside the theft.

What Is NOT Covered?

• Valuables above the sublimit: High-value jewellery, watches, coin collections and similar items are often only insured up to a percentage of the total sum insured (e.g. 20%). If you own expensive jewellery, consider a separate valuables clause.
• Bicycle theft without the add-on: In standard policies, bicycles are usually only covered if they were inside your home when stolen. For theft outside (on the street, at a station), you need the Fahrraddiebstahl add-on.
• Gross negligence (in basic tariffs): If you leave a window open and get burgled, some basic policies may reduce or refuse the payout. Many modern tariffs waive this exclusion – worth checking when comparing.
• Technical defects and wear: If your television simply breaks down, that is not a Hausrat claim. Normal wear and tear or user error is not covered.
• Natural disasters without the Elementar add-on: Flooding, heavy rain, earthquakes, landslides, and snow pressure are not included in standard coverage.

Calculating the Right Sum Insured

The Versicherungssumme (sum insured) should reflect the full replacement value of all your household contents. Getting this right matters – being underinsured can be costly.

The Rule of Thumb: €650–700 per Square Metre

A widely used starting point in Germany is €650 to €700 per square metre of living space. For a 70 m² flat, that translates to approximately €45,500–49,000. This is a guideline, not a hard rule – adjust upward if you own high-value electronics, premium furniture, or a collection of valuables.

Underinsurance (Unterversicherung)

If your sum insured is lower than the actual replacement value of your contents, the insurer will only pay out on a pro-rata basis. For example: your contents are worth €60,000 but you are insured for €30,000. A €10,000 claim would only yield €5,000 in compensation. Many policies offer an Unterversicherungsverzicht (underinsurance waiver) – meaning the insurer won't invoke this rule if you calculated the sum using their standard formula. This is a quality feature worth looking for.

Optional Add-Ons

Bicycle Theft

If you regularly leave your bicycle outdoors – at the station, outside the supermarket, at work – this add-on covers theft even when the bike is not inside your home. Conditions usually apply: the bike must have been locked, and some policies exclude overnight claims.

Natural Hazard Coverage (Elementarschäden)

This add-on extends protection to flooding (from rivers or heavy rain), drain backflow, earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, and snow pressure. It is especially relevant for homes in flood-prone areas. Be aware: in high-risk flood zones (ZÜRS class 4), some insurers may decline this add-on or charge significantly higher premiums.

Other Common Add-Ons

• Gross negligence waiver – the insurer pays even if you acted carelessly (e.g. forgot to blow out a candle)
• Power surge damage from lightning – covers electronics damaged by voltage surges
• Outdoor items – garden furniture, grills, terrace items (often excluded or limited in standard policies)

Practical Notes for Expats and Newcomers

When you first move to Germany, you have a lot to organise at once: registering your address, opening a bank account, sorting out health insurance. Household contents insurance is one more item on that list – but it is straightforward to arrange.

When Do You Need Your Own Policy?

You need your own Hausratversicherung as soon as you have your own household – that is, your own tenancy agreement and your own belongings. If you live in a shared flat (WG) without a separate contract in your name, the main tenant's policy typically does not cover your personal items. You can take out your own policy even for a single room.

What You Need to Apply

• Your full German address
• The floor area of your home in square metres (stated in the rental contract)
• Any add-ons you want to include
• A German bank account for direct debit payments (SEPA)

You do not need to wait for your official registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) to take out the policy. You can apply as soon as you have your address.

Policy Documents Are in German

Most German insurers issue their policy documents exclusively in German. When reviewing the Allgemeine Versicherungsbedingungen (AVB – general policy conditions), pay particular attention to the sections on exclusions and your obligations as the policyholder. Translation tools can help, but if the language is a barrier, consider asking a German-speaking friend to review the key terms.

Summary

Hausratversicherung is one of the most practical voluntary insurance policies you can take out in Germany. It protects everything you own against burglary, fire, water damage, storms, and vandalism. The key is to set the right sum insured – too little, and you bear part of the loss yourself. Add-ons like bicycle theft protection and natural hazard coverage can be valuable depending on your circumstances.

As an expat or newcomer, you can usually arrange the policy entirely online, shortly after moving in, with just your address and the size of your flat.

Editorial note: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute personal insurance advice. eev24.de is an independent information portal and not a licensed insurance intermediary under §34d GewO. For personalised advice, please consult a licensed insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler).