Home Contents Insurance for Renters in Germany 2025
What is the difference between home contents and liability insurance?
Home contents insurance replaces movable items in your apartment after events such as fire, burglary, water damage or storm. Private liability insurance protects you if you cause damage to third parties (for example, by letting water run and damaging a neighbor's property). For renters, both are often sensible: contents protects possessions, liability protects against financial claims from others.
What renters should watch for in Germany 2025
When comparing offers, pay special attention to the insured sum, which perils are explicitly included, rules for off-premises coverage, and the amount of the deductible. Watch for exclusions such as gross negligence or specific electronics clauses and compare replacement values (new for old vs. current value).
- Repair after water damage (repair): Check whether plumbing water is fully covered.
- Costs & coverage limit (rent): Calculate your contents value realistically.
- Evidence preservation (evidence): Photos and an inventory list help with claims.
- Forms & deadlines (form): Pay attention to notification deadlines and required proofs.
Typical damages and how policies respond
A typical case: a burst pipe under the sink causes water damage to furniture and electronics. Contents insurance replaces furniture (depending on terms), liability usually does not apply unless you harmed a third party. Document the time and extent of the damage and notify your insurer immediately.
Example: Burglary
After a burglary: inform the police, record stolen items, notify the insurer and document damages. Many policies only pay if there are signs of forced entry and the dwelling was locked.
Which official forms and templates do renters need?
In disputes or court proceedings, the following official documents are relevant. The legal basis is found in the German Civil Code (BGB) for tenancy law.[1]
- Termination letter (template) — If you want to end the tenancy; as a tenant you terminate in writing and sign personally (example: state date, addresses, apartment details and termination date).
- Application for legal aid (PKH) — If you cannot finance court proceedings alone; complete the official form fully and attach income proofs.
- Damage report to the insurer — Use the insurer's form and attach receipts and photos; submit it with all evidence after contacting them.
If you need legal clarification of the tenancy, local courts (Amtsgericht) are competent; for precedent, decisions by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) may be relevant.[2]
Official forms and legal templates can be found on pages of the Federal Ministry of Justice and the competent courts.[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does contents insurance cover damage caused by problem tenants?
- Contents insurance normally pays for material damage to your belongings; damage caused by problem tenants may require additional civil claims against the responsible person and is often not automatically insured.
- Is my partner's liability insurance sufficient?
- Check the policy: some liability contracts include family members or the shared household, others require separate policies for separately insured persons.
- Can I claim rent reduction for water ingress damage?
- With significant impairments to habitability, rent reduction may be possible; document the defect and notify the landlord in writing with a deadline.
How-To
- Document damage immediately: take photos and note the date.
- Send a written defect notice to the landlord (with a deadline for remediation).
- Submit the damage report to your insurer and attach all evidence.
- If necessary, prepare a claim at the competent local court or apply for legal aid.
Help and Support
- Gesetze im Internet — BGB and tenancy law
- Federal Court of Justice — decisions
- Federal Ministry of Justice — forms and information
