If you’ve recently moved to Germany, Hausratversicherung is one of those terms that tends to pop up early – and then quietly sink to the bottom of your to‑do list.
Until something goes wrong, when it suddenly matters a lot.
Put simply, German 'contents insurance' exists to make sure that if your flat is damaged by fire, water, a storm or a break‑in, you don’t have to replace everything you own out of your own pocket.
Germans are famously among the most insured – some would say over‑insured – people in the world. Beyond health and life insurance, you’ll hear about liability insurance, legal protection insurance, phone insurance, bike insurance and more.
Taken together it all may feel a bit excessive, but with Hausratversicherung there really is method in the madness. Acting as blanket coverage for most of your valuable belongings, it’s one of the most straightforward, affordable and genuinely useful policies you can take out as a renter or homeowner.
What is Hausratversicherung?
Hausratversicherung is German home contents insurance – that is, insurance for your belongings inside your home rather than the building itself. In parts of southern Germany, it’s also referred to as Haushaltsversicherung.
A simple rule of thumb: if you were to move home, everything you took with you would essentially constitute your Hausrat. That includes furniture, electronics, appliances, clothes, household goods and most other movable items.
READ ALSO: What is German liability insurance and do foreigners need it?
Valuables such as jewellery, watches and cash are usually included too, but only up to strict limits unless they’re stored safely.
Items fixed to the building (like a bathtub or windows) fall under Wohngebäudeversicherung (Residential Building Insurance), which is usually the landlord or owner’s responsibility.
A typical Hausratversicherung policy covers damage or loss caused by fire, water leaks, storms, hail, burglary and vandalism following a break‑in.
Usually, it's also very affordable, starting at roughly €3 – €5 per month, or about €40 – €60 per year. Prices can vary according to factors such as local crime statistics.
Over 75 percent of German households have it and many take advantage of comparison platforms like Check24 and TarifCheck to find the best deals.
Do I need a contents insurance policy?
Hausratversicherung is not mandatory in Germany, but it is strongly recommended – and some landlords may actually insist on it.
The pros are clear: low cost, broad protection and peace of mind. The main con beyond the monthly outlay is that it doesn’t cover everything. (You'd advised to check coverage details carefully before buying if there is a particular item or items you intend to see insured.)
Everyday accidents including simple theft without forced entry, rain damage, broken windows and most bike thefts outside the home are generally excluded unless you add extra cover.
READ ALSO: Do you need travel insurance for the EU if you live in Germany?
What do I need to know before choosing a policy?
First, make sure your insurance sum is realistic. German insurers don’t itemise every object. Instead, you will usually be expected to insure your household for a total amount – and underinsuring can seriously reduce pay-outs.
A common guideline from consumer organisations is €650 per square metre of living space.
Second, pay attention to limits on valuables and bicycles, and whether add‑ons like bike theft make sense for your lifestyle.
Third, make sure you understand key terms in the policy such as “deductible” (Selbstbeteiligung), “coverage limits” (Deckungssumme) and exclusions for “gross negligence” (Groben Fahrlässigkeit).
When it comes to the latter, for example, some policies waive the right to reduce pay-outs for gross negligence (such as leaving a candle burning or a window open when you go out) – and some don’t.
Alternatively, look for a provider which has sign-up and claims processes you can navigate in English. A number of more recent arrivals in the market – such as GetSafe, Feather Insurance and Lemonade – cater specifically to foreign residents and make this one of their selling points.
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