Imagine coming home after a long day and finding your apartment flooded. Or worse: you open the door and immediately notice that strangers have rifled through your most private things. Household Insurance is more than just a contract—it's the safety net for everything you've built up over the years. From your sofa and kitchen appliances to your expensive E-bike.
Sabine's Story: A Burst Hose and its Consequences
Let me tell you Sabine's story. Sabine lives in a cozy apartment in Germany. She loves her interior design and has invested a lot of time and money in modern furniture and technology. One Tuesday morning, while she was at work, it happened: the inlet hose of her washing machine burst.
Water ran unchecked into her apartment for hours. When she came home, the water was inches deep in the hallway and living room. The new parquet floor was ruined, the expensive leather sofa was soaked, and the electronics on the floor were beyond saving. The total damage amounted to over 15,000 euros.
Sabine was desperate. "How am I going to pay for all this?" she wondered. Fortunately, she had taken out a modern Household Insurance policy with me. It is often the perfect complement to Private Liability. The insurance not only covered the costs for drying the apartment but also paid Sabine the replacement value for all destroyed items. She was able to buy her furniture and equipment new. Today Sabine says: "I used to think you only need household insurance if you have a villa. Today I know: even in a normal rented apartment, this protection is worth its weight in gold."
What Exactly Does Household Insurance Cover? for Expats in Germany
Put simply: imagine you take your house or apartment, turn it upside down, and shake it hard. Everything that falls out belongs to the household goods. The insurance protects this inventory against the following risks:
- Fire: Fire, lightning, explosion.
- Burglary: Including vandalism after a break-in.
- Tap Water: Damage from burst pipes or hoses.
- Storm and Hail: For example, if a window is blown in and rain destroys your furniture.
Important Extras: Bicycle Protection and Elementary Damage
In Germany, many people rely on high-quality bikes. A modern E-bike can easily cost 3,000 euros or more. In many old contracts, bicycle theft is not insured at all or only for very small sums. In a modern household insurance policy, we can fully protect your bike 24/7, even outside the home.
Another topic that is becoming increasingly important is Elementary Damage. Heavy rain events are increasing, and if the basement is underwater after a thunderstorm (backwater), standard household insurance doesn't pay. For this, we need an additional module, which I strongly recommend.
The New Value Advantage: Why Quality Matters
A crucial point with household insurance is New Value Replacement. This means: if your 5-year-old TV is stolen, the insurance does not pay what the old device would still be worth today, but the amount you would have to pay in the shop today for a comparable new device. This ensures that you can really start from scratch after a loss.
Inventory Value Estimator: What is your household content worth?
Estimate the replacement value of your household contents here. Compare the result with the m² flat rate (€650/m²) to ensure you are fully covered via the underinsurance waiver.
Apartment & Rooms
Detailed Estimate (€)
Couch, shelves, carpets, curtains, pictures, lamps, books
Dishes, cutlery, pots, small appliances, supplies, fitted kitchen
Bed, wardrobe, mattresses, bedding, dressers
TV, laptop, mobile phone, console, soundbar, camera, smart home
Jackets, shoes, bags, sports and everyday clothing
Jewelry, expensive watches, cash, art, collections, certificates
Bicycle, tools, suitcase, cellar contents, balcony furniture
The m² flat rate offers you comprehensive protection against underinsurance.
Requirements for Expats
- Valid German Address (Anmeldung)
- German Bank Account (IBAN)