What is household content, by definition?
Household contents are all items that are used for private purposes in the policyholder’s household. Furniture, televisions, kitchen appliances, clothing, sports equipment, and personal items, as well as rented and leased items, are generally considered household contents.
- What is household content, by definition?
- What is covered by household content insurance in Germany?
- Frequently asked questions
- What does household contents insurance cover in a rented apartment?
- When does household contents insurance not have to pay?
- Who does not need household contents insurance?
- Are household contents insured while outside of the premises?
- Is there a rule of thumb for the sum insured in household contents insurance?
- Can household contents insurance be deducted from tax?
- Moving to a new place: Do I have to buy new insurance?
What is covered by household content insurance in Germany?
Household contents insurance offers protection against the risks of fire, pipe water, burglary, robbery, vandalism, and natural hazards (storms, hail, and other natural hazards). Bicycle theft can be included in the contract against theft outside of the home. Household contents insurance makes sense if clients cannot or do not want to compensate for the loss themselves.
Fire cover
Fire insurance cover extends to damage caused by fire, direct lightning strikes, explosion, impact of motor vehicles, crash of aircraft, its parts, or cargo, as well as consequential damage caused by smoke, soot, and extinguishing.
Example: Due to a technical defect, a television catches fire, and through this, the whole house is on fire. The apartment is flooded as the fire department extinguishes the fire. In this case, home contents insurance covers both the damage to the household contents that was caused directly by the fire and the consequential damage caused by smoke and extinguishing water.
Pipe water cover
Typical causes of damage that insurers cover are burst pipes and burst hoses on washing machines and dishwashers. Frost damage to sanitary facilities is also replaced. In the case of pipe water damage, insurance does not always pay because most water pipes belong to building insurance and are covered by that protection.
Burglary and theft cover
Damage caused by burglary is insured, but simple theft is not. Vandalism and robbery are also insured. So, if the burglar breaks open doors or breaks windows, it is a burglary and therefore an insured event. But anyone who leaves windows and doors unlocked and makes it too easy for intruders is responsible for the consequences themselves.
A new door lock is provided if keys for apartment doors are lost, for example, due to burglary or robbery. It also happens that burglars, angry that valuables are below their expectations, destroy the furnishings or smear the walls with paint. This vandalism damage caused by a burglary is covered. If someone threatens you with violence or even uses it and takes items from you, this damage is insured (this is robbery). Bicycle theft, which happens outside the home, needs to be selected if needed. Most insurers cover bicycle theft up to a percentage of the insurance sum, or clients can select a fixed amount according to the individual value of their bicycles.
Storm and Hail Cover
The insured storm risk includes damage caused by wind level 8 or higher for most insurance tariffs.
In the event of hail damage, the insurer pays regardless of the wind speed. Typical causes of damage: a storm removes the roof; hailstones break windows.
Natural Hazard Cover
Household contents insurance with extended natural hazard coverage includes all household contents. It covers the repair costs for all damaged contents or reimburses the replacement cost if the contents have been destroyed. It can be included in home content insurance in Germany.
Request for a household content insurance offer
FAQ. Regarding household content insurance in Germany:
What does household contents insurance cover in a rented apartment?
Household contents insurance covers property in the rented apartment, whether furniture, electrical appliances, or other household valuables. In the event of damage, the household contents insurance usually pays the replacement value of the damaged item.
Who does not need household contents insurance?
Co-insured parents do not have their own household; they do not need household contents insurance. Also, not every person in a household needs their own insurance for their personal household contents. Private household contents insurance applies per household, not per person. Couples or families therefore only need one shared insurance.
When does household contents insurance not have to pay?
In principle, household contents insurance does not pay out if items are broken, for example, because they fall down or have been improperly stored or used. Household contents insurance is also generally not responsible for cases in which items are stolen on the street without the threat of violence.
Are household contents insured while outside of the premises?
Yes, the client’s household contents are covered outside the insured premises via the “outdoor cover” and apply to all the household contents that are temporarily outside the insured home. However, not all damage is insured. If insureds are forced to hand over their wallet, jewellery, or similar items under threat of violence, it is covered. To be covered in the event of unnoticed theft or unexplained loss, travel luggage insurance for holiday trips is recommended.
Is there a rule of thumb for the sum insured in household contents insurance?
The rule of thumb for calculating the sum insured in household contents insurance is 650 euros per square meter of living space. If you own particularly valuable items, it is important to set the sum insured higher so that you are not under-insured. Single items that exceed a value of 5,000 euros are recommended to be listed separately, and additional information and security measures may be needed.
Sicher Sicher advises clients to keep the proof of property digital, so in case of a claim, all documents are ready to be presented to the insurer.
Can household contents insurance be deducted from tax?
Household contents insurance cannot be deducted from taxes as a lump sum. Exception: Only if a separate study is in your home, whether as a tenant or owner, can claim a proportionate tax deduction for household contents insurance.
Moving to a new place: Do I have to buy new insurance?
Household contents insurance (unlike natural hazards cover) is not dependent on the address; it does not automatically expire when moving. It is tied to the place of insurance, the place where the client keeps the household contents, which is usually the apartment or house.
When the client moves his or her belongings to the new place of residence, both places will be covered for a maximum period of 2 months. It is advisable to inform us of the move or change of address. Otherwise, the risk of paying the premium bill too late and, in the event of a claim, the cover will lapse, leaving not only the cost of new household contents but also having to deal with a lot of annoying paperwork until a new insurance policy is issued. In addition, moving house is always a good reminder to check the insurance coverage in general. As a student, you may only have three items of furniture to cover. But as a family with three children, the household contents have been purchased over the years, and they may reach a higher sum than expected.
For those moving abroad, it is different. The insurance cover for the previous home will expire at the latest two months after the start of the move or deregistration of the Residents‘ Registration Office.
We recommend to check liability insurance. Since, in Germany, the law has no limits on the individual personal financial capability.