Home & Contents Insurance in Germany:
A Guide for Expats
Your landlord's insurance doesn't cover your belongings. Here's how Hausratversicherung and Wohngebäudeversicherung work — explained in plain English.
Why Expats Need Home & Contents Insurance
Moving to Germany comes with plenty of administrative surprises — and insurance is one of them. Many expats assume their landlord's policy covers everything, only to discover the hard way that it doesn't. Here's why you need your own coverage:
Renting vs Owning — Different Risks
Over 80% of Berliners rent their homes. As a tenant, you're responsible for insuring everything you bring into the apartment — your furniture, electronics, clothing, and personal belongings. If you own your property, you also need to protect the building itself.
Your Landlord's Insurance Doesn't Cover Your Stuff
This is the single most common misunderstanding. Your landlord's Wohngebäudeversicherung (building insurance) covers the structure — walls, roof, floors, and built-in fixtures. It does not cover any of your possessions. If a fire, burst pipe, or burglary damages your belongings, you bear the full cost of replacement without your own policy.
Germany's Liability Culture
Germany has a strong liability culture. If a water leak from your apartment damages a neighbour's property, you could be held financially responsible for thousands of euros. While personal liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) covers third-party damage, your contents insurance ensures your own possessions are also replaced. The two policies work together to fully protect you.
Hausratversicherung: Contents Insurance
Hausratversicherung is the most important policy for renters — and it's remarkably affordable for what it covers. It protects everything inside your home that isn't permanently built into the structure.
What's Covered?
- Fire (Feuer) — damage from fire, smoke, soot, and explosions
- Water damage (Leitungswasser) — burst pipes, leaking water heaters, overflow from aquariums
- Burglary (Einbruchdiebstahl) — stolen belongings after a break-in, plus vandalism damage
- Storm and hail (Sturm und Hagel) — damage from storm winds (≥ Wind Force 8) and hail
Typical Cost
Contents insurance is one of the most affordable policies in Germany. For a typical Berlin apartment, expect to pay between €50 and €150 per year — that's roughly €4–12 per month. The exact cost depends on the size of your apartment, the total value of your belongings, and the coverage options you choose.
💡 Good to Know
Many policies also cover damage outside your home — for example, if your bicycle is stolen from a locked bike shed, or if your laptop is damaged in a hotel fire while on holiday in Germany. Check the policy details for off-premises coverage limits.
Wohngebäudeversicherung: Building Insurance
Wohngebäudeversicherung is only relevant if you own your property. Renters should skip this section — it's your landlord's responsibility, not yours.
What Does It Cover?
Building insurance covers the physical structure of your property — everything that would remain if you turned the apartment upside down and shook it. This includes:
- Walls, ceilings, and floors
- Roof and facade
- Built-in kitchen (tenant-installed)s and bathrooms
- Heating system and plumbing
- Electrical wiring and built-in fixtures
- Garages and outbuildings
Core Perils
Building insurance covers three core perils — fire, water damage, and storm/hail. Unlike contents insurance, building insurance does NOT cover burglary (Einbruchdiebstahl), since the building structure itself cannot be stolen:
- Fire — structural damage from fire, lightning, explosion
- Leitungswasser — water damage from burst pipes and plumbing failures
- Sturm und Hagel — storm and hail damage (often included, sometimes optional)
For property owners, building insurance is often required by your mortgage lender. It protects their collateral — and your investment.
What's Covered: Contents vs Building
Understanding the boundary between contents and building coverage is crucial. Here's a detailed breakdown:
Contents Insurance (Hausratversicherung) Covers
- Furniture (sofas, beds, wardrobes, tables)
- Electronics (TVs, laptops, smartphones, audio equipment)
- Clothing and shoes
- Kitchen appliances (if not built-in) — toaster, coffee machine, blender
- Carpets and curtains
- Books, CDs, DVDs, and hobby equipment
- Sports equipment and bicycles (with limits)
- Valuables (jewellery, watches, art) — usually with sub-limits
Building Insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung) Covers
- Walls, ceilings, and structural elements
- Roof covering and facade
- Built-in kitchen (tenant-installed) (fitted cabinets, built-in oven, hob)
- Built-in bathroom fixtures (toilet, bathtub, sink)
- Central heating system and radiators
- Plumbing and electrical wiring
- Windows and doors
- Garages, carports, and garden sheds
The grey area: A fitted kitchen (Einbauküche) installed by the tenant is usually covered by contents insurance, not building insurance. If you're unsure about a specific item, we can help clarify — just ask during your free consultation.
Cost Guide for Berlin Apartments
Contents insurance costs depend primarily on the size of your home and the value of your belongings. Here are typical annual premiums for Berlin:
Single, 50 m²
Sum insured: €25,000
€5/month · Basic cover
Couple, 75 m²
Sum insured: €40,000
€7.50/month · Standard cover
Family, 100 m²
Sum insured: €55,000
€11/month · Comprehensive cover
How to Estimate Your Sum Insured
A common rule of thumb: your contents are worth roughly €500–700 per square metre of living space. For a 75 m² apartment, that's €37,500–52,500. Walk through every room and add up the replacement value of everything you own — you might be surprised how quickly it adds up.
Building insurance for owners is calculated differently — based on the reconstruction value of the property, not its market value. We can help you determine the correct amount.
Contents vs Building vs Landlord's Insurance
| Feature | Contents (Hausrat) | Building (Wohngebäude) | Landlord's Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who needs it? | Every renter & owner | Property owners only | Landlord (not your concern) |
| What's covered | Your belongings | The building structure | The building structure |
| Fire | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Water damage | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Burglary | ✓ Yes | ✗ No (structure only) | ✗ No (structure only) |
| Storm & hail | ✓ Yes (usually included) | ✓ Yes (often optional) | ✓ Yes (varies) |
| Your furniture | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Your electronics | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Built-in kitchen (tenant-installed) | ✗ Usually no (building) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Typical cost/year | €50–150 | €200–600+ | Paid by landlord |
| Covers tenant's stuff? | ✓ Yes — that's the point | ✗ No | ✗ No |
Quick Decision Guide: Renter vs Owner
Your insurance needs depend entirely on whether you rent or own your home. Here's a simple breakdown:
I'm a Renter
As a tenant in Germany, you need:
- Hausratversicherung (Contents Insurance) — to protect your belongings
- Haftpflichtversicherung (Personal Liability) — for damage you cause to others
- You do NOT need building insurance — that's your landlord's responsibility
- Total cost: typically €50–150/year for contents
I'm a Property Owner
As a property owner in Germany, you need:
- Wohngebäudeversicherung (Building Insurance) — to protect the structure
- Hausratversicherung (Contents Insurance) — to protect your belongings
- Haftpflichtversicherung (Personal Liability) — for third-party damage
- Total cost: typically €250–750/year for both building & contents
Still unsure? That's exactly what our free consultations are for. We'll look at your specific situation and tell you exactly what you need — and what you don't.
Important Things to Get Right
Überversicherung vs Unterversicherung
Überversicherung (over-insurance) means your sum insured is higher than the actual value of your contents. You're paying more premium than necessary — but at least you're fully covered.
Unterversicherung (under-insurance) is far more dangerous. If your sum insured is too low, the insurer will apply a proportional reduction in the event of a claim. For example: you insure €30,000 but actually own €60,000 worth of contents. A fire causes €10,000 in damage — the insurer will only pay €5,000 (50% of your claim, because you were 50% under-insured). This is one of the most common and costly mistakes expats make.
Our advice: Use our free calculator or schedule a consultation — we help you determine the right sum insured so you're neither over- nor under-insured.
Wohnfläche (Living Space) Matters
Many insurers use your apartment's square metre count to set a default sum insured (typically €600–650/m²). If you declare a smaller living space than your actual apartment, you risk under-insurance. Always report the correct Wohnfläche as listed in your rental contract.
Valuable Items Need Extra Attention
Standard contents policies have sub-limits for valuables — typically €5,000–10,000 for jewellery, watches, art, and cash combined. If you own expensive items, consider:
- A valuables rider (Wertgegenstände-Einschluss) to increase coverage limits
- Keeping receipts and photos as proof of ownership
- A safe deposit box for very high-value items
Bicycles are also often subject to separate limits (€500–1,000 per bike). If you own an e-bike worth €3,000, you'll want extended bike coverage.
Common Questions About Home & Contents Insurance
Book Your Free Home & Contents Insurance Consultation
Whether you're renting or owning, we help you find the right coverage — in English, at no cost, with no obligations.
Let's Talk
We've helped hundreds of expats protect their homes and belongings in Germany. Your first consultation is always free for you (we are compensated by the insurer when you take out a policy), with no obligations.