Insurance for drain cleaning and sewer services in Germany
The cable machine cracks an old cast iron pipe, the jetter pushes waste water into the flat next door, the CCTV camera gets stuck in the sewer. In drain cleaning and sewer services in Germany, the expensive damage almost always happens at the customer's property. Here is what is compulsory, which insurance carries the typical losses and what it costs.
Does my liability insurance pay if the cable machine breaks the pipe?
Only if damage to worked items is expressly included. The pipe is the thing you are working on, and basic policies exclude exactly that. Consequential damage, such as water in the flat below, is usually covered. Look for a worked items clause with a sufficient limit.
What goes wrong in this trade
01
Broken pipe
An old pipe cannot take the cable machine. Then walls or floors have to be opened.
02
Backflow while jetting
High pressure pushes waste water out of a ground floor drain, damaging floors, furniture and screed.
03
Camera in the sewer
The inspection camera jams in the sewer and can only be recovered damaged.
04
Emergency driving
At night, in a hurry, through narrow gateways: vans and jetting trucks cover many kilometres under time pressure.
05
Invoice disputes
Emergency rates and extra work quickly lead to complaints and payment claims.
06
Germs and injuries
Sewage, sharp edges and heavy equipment make infections and accidents part of the job.
From three vehicles a fleet policy bundles vans and jetting trucks.
What it costs: example prices
Insurers rarely publish prices for drain cleaning. The premium depends on turnover, staff, limit of indemnity and whether damage to worked items is included.
Insurance
Example
Typical range
Business liability
Sole trader, €3 million limit, worked items up to €50,000
about €350 to €700 a year
Business liability
Firm with five staff and sewer rehabilitation, €5 million limit
about €1,000 to €2,500 a year
Car insurance
Van up to 3.5 tonnes, business use, third party and comprehensive
about €1,000 to €2,000 a year
Electronic equipment
CCTV camera and locator worth €30,000
about €500 to €1,100 a year
Business legal expenses
Small firm with contract, employment and traffic legal cover
about €400 to €900 a year
For comparison: Public liability for a small drain cleaning firm costs about as much a year as two or three emergency call outs.
All premiums are guide values from our quoting work, excluding German insurance premium tax,
as of October 2026.
The motor liability minimums are set in the Compulsory Insurance Act,
the trade classification in Annex B of the Crafts Code.
Six things drain cleaners really go through, all in one shift with emergency calls. Tap through and see who pays.
Damage so far€44,500
The cable machine cracks an old cast iron pipe inside a wall; the bathroom has to be opened.
€6,800 · Paid by: Business liability
While jetting, waste water floods a ground floor shop through a floor drain.
€14,500 · Paid by: Business liability
The camera jams in a house connection and is destroyed during recovery.
€11,000 · Paid by: Electronic equipment
Reversing in a courtyard, the van damages a gate.
€2,900 · Paid by: Car insurance
A customer refuses to pay the emergency invoice and threatens a lawyer.
€1,800 · Paid by: Business legal expenses
The jetter pump fails after an operating error.
€7,500 · Paid by: Machinery breakdown
Which package would you have had?
Paid by insurance: €0
Out of your own pocket: €44,500
Illustrative amounts before any excess.
What is paid depends on the policy terms.
Practical tips from your broker
Have damage to worked pipes included in your liability policy with a sufficient limit.
Film pipes before using a cable machine or cutter, so the prior condition is documented.
Insure the camera under electronic equipment cover, including damage down the sewer.
Give emergency prices in writing before you start, which prevents most disputes.
Notify the chamber of crafts of your business, as § 18 HwO requires.
Consider a fleet policy from three vehicles.
Why NAMMERT for your business
We read the worked items clause
For drain cleaners, what decides is whether damage to the worked pipe is covered. As an insurance broker, Norman Nammert compares the wording of several insurers for you.
Vehicles, equipment and business together
Jetting truck, camera, liability and your personal insurance all run through one contact.
Broker since 1989
A family business, not tied to any insurer. Our service is free for you; the insurer pays our commission. We advise in English.
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers
What insurance is compulsory for drain cleaners in Germany?
Motor liability for every vehicle.
Public liability is not required by law,
but property managers and commercial clients often ask for it.
Do I need a master craftsman certificate?
Drain and sewer cleaning is listed in Annex B,
Section 2 of the Crafts Code as a craft related trade.
You must notify the chamber of crafts when you start.
What does public liability cost for a drain cleaner?
For a sole trader about €350 to €700 a year with worked items included,
for firms with staff about €1,000 to €2,500, as guide values from our quoting work.
Is the CCTV camera covered by contents insurance?
Only on your premises and against fire, burglary or water.
On site and down the sewer you need electronic equipment cover.
Who pays for backflow damage while jetting?
Your public liability, if you caused the damage.
Consequential damage to floors and furniture is usually included.
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