If you live in Germany or plan to relocate soon, you may be wondering how to protect your belongings in your home. Whether you rent or own your property, there are risks such as fire, water damage, theft, or vandalism that could potentially damage or destroy your possessions. In this article, we try to explain what home contents insurance is, why it is necessary in Germany, what it covers and excludes, and how to choose the most suitable home contents insurance for your needs.
What is home contents insurance?
Home contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) covers your movable belongings in your home, such as furniture, clothing, jewellery, electronics, and pets. It protects you from financial losses if your belongings are damaged or stolen by insured events, such as fire, hail, smoke, explosion, burglary, robbery, vandalism, storms, and water damage caused by burst pipes or a leaking appliance (e.g., a refrigerator).
Home contents insurance is different from building or house insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung), which covers the fixed property such as walls, floors, ceilings, and fitted units. Building insurance is usually the responsibility of the landlord or the owner of the property, while home contents insurance is the responsibility of the tenant or the occupant of the property.
Home contents insurance is also different from Personal Liability Insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung), which covers the damages you or your family may cause to others or their property. For example, if you accidentally break your neighbour’s window or injure someone in your home, liability insurance will cover the costs of repair or compensation. In our experience, Personal Liability Insurance is highly recommended in Germany, as it can save you from paying huge amounts of money in case of a lawsuit.
Why do you need home contents insurance in Germany?
Home contents insurance is not mandatory by law in Germany, but it is highly advisable to have it for several reasons:
It protects your belongings from unexpected risks that could cost you a lot of money to replace or repair. For example, if your apartment is flooded by a burst pipe or a storm, you may lose your furniture, clothing, electronics, and other valuables. Home contents insurance will cover the costs of replacing or repairing your belongings, up to a certain limit depending on your policy.
It covers your accommodation expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event. For example, if your apartment is damaged by a fire or a flood, you may need to find a temporary place to stay until your home is restored. Home contents insurance will cover the costs of your alternative accommodation, up to a certain limit and duration depending on your policy.
It may be required by your landlord or your mortgage lender as a condition of your rental or purchase contract. For example, if you rent a furnished apartment, your landlord may ask you to have home contents insurance to protect their furniture and appliances. If you buy a property with a mortgage, your lender may ask you to have home contents insurance to protect their investment. In these cases, you may need to provide proof of your home contents insurance to your landlord or your lender.
Things that are covered under the home contents insurance
Most standard home contents insurance policies in Germany will typically cover the following items and events:
Furniture, including carpets, curtains, lamps, and mirrors
Clothing, shoes, and accessories
Jewellery, watches, and cash, up to a certain limit
Sports equipment, musical instruments, and hobby items
Electronic equipment, such as laptops, TVs, cameras, and phones
Pets, such as dogs, cats, and birds
Fire, smoke, explosion, and lightning
Hail, storm, and flood
Water damage from pipes, taps, or appliances
Burglary, robbery, and vandalism
Moving, both apartments are temporarily covered until you’re in the new apartment.
Some home contents insurance policies may also offer additional coverage or add-ons for the following items and events, for an extra fee:
Bicycles, up to a certain limit and location
Glass, such as windows, doors, tables, and stovetops
Negligence, such as leaving a candle burning or a door unlocked
Moving expenses, if you are no longer able to live in your apartment due to an insured event
Worldwide coverage, for your belongings outside your home, such as in your car, hotel, or luggage
Things that are not covered under the home contents insurance
Home contents insurance policies in Germany usually do not cover the following items and events:
Building fixtures, such as doors, sinks, tiles, and radiators
Blown fuses, power surges, or voltage fluctuations
Pipes under the floor or in the walls
Wear and tear, depreciation, or gradual deterioration
Intentional damage or fraud
War, terrorism, civil unrest, or nuclear hazards
What do you need to consider when choosing a home contents insurance in Germany?
When choosing a home contents insurance policy in Germany, you need to consider the following factors:
The insured sum, which is the maximum amount of money that the insurance company will pay in case of a claim. You should choose a sum that reflects the value of your belongings, and that is enough to replace or repair them in case of a loss. You can use online calculators or inventories to estimate the value of your belongings. The insured sum may also depend on the size of your apartment, and may be adjusted for inflation or indexation.
The deductible, which is the amount of money that you have to pay out of your own pocket before the insurance company pays the rest of the claim. You should choose a deductible that you can afford, and that suits your risk profile. A higher deductible may lower your premium, but it may also increase your financial burden in case of a claim. A lower deductible may increase your premium, but it may also reduce your financial burden in case of a claim.
The coverage, which is the scope and extent of the protection that the insurance policy provides. You should choose a coverage that matches your needs and preferences, and that covers the items and events that are most important to you. You should also check the exclusions and limitations of the policy, and see if you need any additional coverage or add-ons for your specific situation.
The premium, which is the amount of money that you have to pay to the insurance company for the policy. You should choose a premium that fits your budget, and that offers a good value for money. You should also compare different offers and discounts from different insurance companies, and see if you can save money by bundling your home contents insurance with other types of insurance, such as liability insurance or car insurance.
The service, which is the quality and convenience of the customer support and the claim process that the insurance company provides. You should choose a service that is reliable, responsive, and easy to use. You should also check the reviews and ratings of the insurance company, and see how satisfied their customers are with their service. You should also consider the language and the communication channels that the insurance company offers, and see if they suit your needs and preferences.
Which is the best home contents insurance in Germany?
The best home contents insurance in Germany depends on your personal situation, needs, and preferences. However, to help you make an informed decision, we have compared two of the most popular and reputable home contents insurance providers in Germany: Getsafe and Feather. Here is a brief overview of each provider, followed by a comparison table that summarises their main features and differences.
Before you continue, if you're looking to compare different home content insurances in Germany, you might try Tarifcheck. They let you easily compare different insurance providers and offerings and find the one that best suits your needs.
Getsafe Home Contents Insurance
Getsafe is a digital insurance company that offers flexible and customisable home contents insurance policies. You can choose your insured sum, your deductible, and your coverage options according to your needs and preferences. You can also adjust your policy at any time using the Getsafe app, which is available in English and German. You can also file and track your claims using the app, and get support from the Getsafe team via chat, phone, or email.
Getsafe offers a comprehensive coverage that includes fire, water, storm, hail, burglary, robbery, vandalism, negligence, and worldwide coverage. You can also add optional coverage for bicycles, glass, and natural disasters. Getsafe also covers your accommodation expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event, up to 100 euros per day for up to 100 days.
Getsafe has a high customer satisfaction rating, and has won several awards for its innovation and service quality. Getsafe is also backed by Munich Re, one of the world’s leading reinsurers, which ensures its financial stability and reliability.
Some benefits of Getsafe Home Content Insurance
✅ Starts at €2.58 per month
✅ Risks, such as fire, water, storm, hail, burglary, robbery, vandalism, and negligence are covered.
✅ Customise your policy according to your personal preferences, by choosing your insured sum, your deductible, and your coverage options.
✅ You can adjust your policy at any time using the Getsafe app, which is available in English and German.
✅ Worldwide coverage for belongings outside your home, such as in your car, hotel, or luggage.
✅ Adding optional belongings possible.
Some drawbacks of Getsafe Home Content Insurance
🟥 Everything is managed through the Getsafe app.
🟥 You can only be Insured up to a sum of €250K.
Feather Household Insurance
Feather is another digital insurance company that offers simple and affordable home contents insurance policies. You can choose your insured sum from four options: 10,000, 25,000, 50,000, or 100,000 euros. You can also choose your deductible from three options: 0, 150, or 300 euros. You can easily sign up for a policy online, and cancel it anytime with a 30-day notice. You can also manage your policy and file your claims online, and get support from the Feather team via chat or email.
Feather offers a basic coverage that includes fire, water, storm, hail, burglary, robbery, and vandalism. You can also add optional coverage for bicycles, up to 1,000 euros per bicycle. Feather does not cover your accommodation expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event, nor does it cover negligence or worldwide coverage.
Feather has a low customer satisfaction rating, and has received some complaints about its claim process and customer service. Feather is also a relatively new company, and does not have a strong financial backing or reputation.
Some benefits of Feather Household Insurance
✅ Website and customer support in English
✅ Cancel whenever you want
✅ Adding a non deductible possible
✅ Option for underinsurance waiver available
✅ No waiting period.
Some drawbacks of Feather Household Insurance
🟥 Premium waiver if you get unemployed is nowhere mentioned on their website
Getsafe Home Content Insurance v/s Feather Household Insurance
Home contents insurance v/s House insurance in Germany
In Germany, home insurance and home contents insurance are two distinct types of insurance that safeguard your property and possessions. While home insurance protects the fixed structures of your home, such as walls, floors, ceilings, and built-in units, home contents insurance covers the movable items within your home, including furniture, clothing, jewellery, and electronics.
Home insurance provides financial protection against losses caused by insured events like fire, water damage, storms, hail, subsidence, and natural disasters. On the other hand, home contents insurance safeguards you from financial losses resulting from damage or theft of your belongings due to insured events such as fire, water damage, storms, hail, burglary, robbery, vandalism, and negligence.
While home insurance and home contents insurance are not legally mandated, they are strongly recommended for homeowners and tenants, respectively. Additionally, your landlord or mortgage lender may require these insurances as a condition of your rental or purchase agreement.
Home insurance and home contents insurance may offer additional coverage or add-ons for specific items and events, such as bicycles, glass, solar panels, photovoltaic systems, garden equipment, negligence, and worldwide coverage. The insured sum, deductible, premium, and service of each insurance policy depend on your choices, needs, preferences, and location. To find the best home insurance and home contents insurance for your situation, it is advisable to compare different providers and options.
Home contents insurance
Covers movable belongings in your home, such as furniture, clothing, jewellery, and electronics
Protects you from financial losses if your belongings are damaged or stolen by insured events, such as fire, water, storm, hail, burglary, robbery, vandalism, and negligence
Not mandatory by law, but may be required by your landlord or your mortgage lender
Usually covers your accommodation expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event
May offer additional coverage or add-ons for bicycles, glass, negligence, and worldwide coverage
The insured sum depends on the value of your belongings, and may be adjusted for inflation or indexation
The deductible depends on your choice, and may affect your premium
The premium depends on your insured sum, deductible, coverage, and location
The service depends on the quality and convenience of the customer support and the claim process of the insurance company
House insurance
Covers fixed property such as walls, floors, ceilings, and fitted units
Protects you from financial losses if your property is damaged or destroyed by insured events, such as fire, water, storm, hail, subsidence, and natural disasters
Not mandatory by law, but highly recommended for property owners
Usually covers the costs of demolition, debris removal, and reconstruction if your property becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event
May offer additional coverage or add-ons for solar panels, photovoltaic systems, and garden equipment
The insured sum depends on the value of your property, and may be based on the type, size, and location of your property
The deductible depends on your choice, and may affect your premium
The premium depends on your insured sum, deductible, coverage, and location
The service depends on the quality and convenience of the customer support and the claim process of the insurance company
Conclusion
Home contents insurance is a valuable protection for your belongings in your home, and can save you from financial losses and stress in case of an unexpected event. However, not all home contents insurance policies are the same, and you need to compare different providers and options to find the best one for your situation. In this article, we have explained what home contents insurance is, why you need it in Germany, what it covers and what it does not, and how to choose the best home contents insurance for your needs.
We have also compared two of the most popular and reputable home contents insurance providers in Germany: Getsafe and Feather. Based on our comparison, we recommend Getsafe as the best home contents insurance in Germany, as it offers a more comprehensive, flexible, and reliable service than Feather. However, you should always do your own research and check the terms and conditions of each provider before making a final decision. We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you, and we wish you all the best in your home contents insurance journey.
Frequently asked questions
Are there different types of home contents insurance policies available in Germany?
Yes, there are various policies available, such as standard coverage, comprehensive coverage, or optional add-ons for specific items or higher coverage limits.