This is a complete guide to contents insurance in Germany, one of the most popular types of insurance here. (At Feather, we refer to it as “Household contents insurance,” while other companies may call it “home insurance“—but don’t worry, they’re all the same.)
In this new guide, you’ll learn everything there is to know about this type of insurance, including:
Let’s jump right in.
Contents insurance is a type of policy that protects your belongings inside your house.
It covers the cost of replacing or repairing personal items like furniture, electronics, clothing, or toys if they are damaged, lost, or stolen due to events such as fires, floods, or burglaries.
Unlike building insurance, which covers physical structures (like walls, roofs, and foundations), contents insurance focuses on the items inside that you own and can move around.
For example, if a fire damages your sofa, contents insurance would help cover the replacement cost. However, building insurance will be needed for repairs if the fire damages the wall.
Overall, contents insurance is important because it protects the value of your personal belongings against unexpected events that can cause loss or damage.
Contents insurance is helpful for anyone who wants to protect the value of their belongings.
While optional, it can save you from significant financial losses if something unexpected happens.
Here’s a breakdown of who might benefit from it:
It might be less necessary for someone who doesn’t own many expensive items or who can easily afford to replace their belongings.
There are two common types of contents insurance policies:
Premiums are the payments you make for the insurance. Typically, bedroom-rated policies have higher premiums because they offer broader coverage. Sum-insured policies might be more affordable but depend on the accuracy of your estimate of the value of your belongings.
When applying for contents insurance, you must provide all relevant details, such as your address, the value of your items, and whether there are any security systems in place. If there are any changes, like moving to a new address, you must update your insurer to keep the policy valid.
If something happens and you need to make a claim, the insurance company will assess whether your policy covers the incident.
It’s important to disclose every detail in your claim. The insurer may deny it if any vital information was left out or incorrect (we won’t though; we’ll just ask you to add more information via the app or the website).
There are three main ways content insurance can payout:
Let’s break them down…
This type of payout means that if your item is damaged or stolen, the insurance company will pay for a brand-new replacement, even if the original item has lost value over time.
For example, if someone steals your 5-year-old TV, you would receive enough money to buy a new one of the same model.
Feather’s insurance offers this kind of coverage. It’s beneficial because it ensures you can fully replace your belongings without worrying about their current value.
With this option, the insurance company only pays for the item’s current value, which is usually less than what you originally paid.
Over time, things lose value due to wear and tear or manufacturers releasing newer versions.
For example, if someone steals your 5-year-old TV, the insurer would only give you what it’s worth today, which might be a fraction of the original price.
This type of coverage can lower your premiums but might only partially cover the cost of buying a new replacement.
The excess is the amount you have to pay when making a claim. There are two types of excess:
For instance, if your compulsory excess is €100 and you choose a voluntary excess of €200, you’ll have to cover the first €300 of any claim you make. This means if the cost of the damage is €500, the insurance will only pay €200 after you pay your part.
Contents insurance covers a wide range of items and incidents. Here’s a quick breakdown…
Items kept in a safe are usually not covered, so it’s important to double-check with your insurer if you store valuables in safes.
Feather’s policy includes coverage for home safes and the valuables stored within them.
In fact, these items benefit from higher coverage limits compared to those not kept in a safe.
Contents insurance covers your belongings specifically under certain circumstances, such as:
Insurance policies vary, and coverage can differ between companies. Always review your policy details to ensure you know exactly what’s covered and what isn’t.
If you’d like to get advice for your specific circumstances, please book a call with one of our experts.
Contents insurance comes with certain limitations and exclusions.
While it covers many types of damage or loss, there are specific instances where it won’t provide protection.
Here’s what contents insurance typically does not cover:
Basic contents insurance policies can cost between €2 and €12.5 per month.
For example…
In Berlin, insuring an 80m² apartment with coverage of €50,000 typically costs around €6.50 monthly. This is a relatively low expense, especially when considering the value of your household belongings.
However, the cost of contents insurance can vary depending on several factors, as insurers consider different risks and the value of what you’re protecting.
Let’s break down the key factors that affect the cost:
Where you live plays a significant role in how much you pay.
Areas with higher crime rates or frequent flooding, for example, might have higher premiums because there’s a greater chance something could happen to your belongings.
The more valuable your belongings are, the more expensive your policy will be.
If you have high-value items like expensive jewelry or electronics, the cost to insure them will be higher.
If you own costly items, like a rare watch or a piece of art, you might need extra coverage.
These items usually have special limits in a basic policy, so adding extra coverage for them will increase the price.
The type of home you live in also impacts your premium.
An apartment in a well-secured building may cost less to insure than a house in a less secure neighborhood.
Whether you live in your home full-time or leave it unoccupied for long periods affects the price. Homes left vacant for more than 30 days usually require additional coverage because they’re at a higher risk for issues like burglary or water damage.
Security measures like an alarm system or strong locks can lower your insurance costs.
Insurers may offer discounts if you’ve taken steps to protect your home.
If you’ve made insurance claims in the past, your premiums could be higher. Insurers may see you as a higher risk if you’ve needed to make claims before.
Most insurance policies include a deductible, which you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in.
Choosing a higher deductible can lower your monthly or annual premium, but you’ll have to pay more if you make a claim.
Whether contents insurance in Germany is worth it depends on your needs and financial situation.
Here are some factors to consider when deciding if it’s a good investment for you:
If you’ve invested a lot in furnishing your home or own valuable items like jewelry, electronics, or art, contents insurance is definitely worth considering.
Without insurance, replacing these items out-of-pocket could be expensive.
Where you live can also influence whether contents insurance is a smart choice.
If you live in an area with higher crime rates or a history of frequent natural disasters like flooding, insurance is a way to safeguard your home against risks that are out of your control.
Many contents insurance policies offer extras, like coverage for accidental damage or legal protection, but these add-ons can increase your premiums.
When buying contents insurance, it’s important to consider several key factors to ensure you’re properly covered. Here’s what to look out for:
You want to ensure your insurance fully covers your belongings so you don’t receive only partial payments when making a claim.
Here are some things to check:
You can customize your policy with extra coverage based on your needs, but these options may increase your premiums:
No, contents insurance is not mandatory in Germany. Unlike required insurance like health or car insurance, it’s optional. However, it’s still highly recommended if you want to protect your belongings from theft, damage, or unexpected events.
To figure out the value of your belongings, go room by room and make a list of everything, including smaller valuable items like jewelry. Consider how much it would cost to replace older items today, as prices might have changed. Once you have a total, get insurance that covers this amount. If you underestimate, you might not get fully compensated in case of damage. Using a tool like a contents calculator can help ensure your estimate is accurate and prevent you from overpaying for insurance.
Contents insurance protects personal belongings inside your home against theft, fire, or water damage. Personal liability insurance covers damages you might accidentally cause to others, such as if you break someone’s property. It’s often wise to have both types, as they cover different risks and are relatively affordable together.
Learn about how liability insurance works in Germany.
If your belongings are damaged, report it to your insurance company immediately. If possible, try to prevent further damage. You might also need to provide proof of the cause, such as a police report in case of theft. This will help speed up the claim process.
Yes, tenants can absolutely get contents insurance in Germany. Even though you don’t own the property, you can insure your personal belongings. It’s a good idea to check what insurance your landlord has to avoid overlap and only cover what’s necessary for your own items.
Yes, you can cancel your household content insurance in Germany. Check with your insurance provider to understand their specific cancellation policy, as some may require a notice period, usually around three months before you cancel.
Contents insurance mainly covers your belongings in your insured apartment. However, it extends to certain other areas, like your study room, basement, attic, terrace, and even common spaces like laundry rooms. It also covers outbuildings on your property and garages located within 3 km. If there’s a storm or hail, your entire property is protected. Some policies also provide coverage for items temporarily away from home, such as a laptop stolen from a gym locker. However, for burglary insurance, it only applies to items inside your home when the theft occurs.
Contents insurance is a flexible way to protect your belongings, whether you’re a homeowner or a tenant.
Understanding what it covers, how to value your items, and the process for making claims ensures you’re prepared for unexpected events.
Even though it’s not required by law, having the right coverage offers peace of mind.
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