01
Contents add-on
Theft outside the home up to a limit. No accident damage, no battery, and the claim counts against your Hausrat policy.
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Bicycle and e-bike insurance in Germany: contents add-on or a policy of its own
Bike theft is common in German cities, and the cover most people assume they have often is not there. Contents insurance, called Hausrat, only pays for a bike stolen outside if a bicycle clause has been added. A separate bike policy also covers accidents, vandalism and battery failure, which contents insurance never does.
The question almost everyone asks first
Is my bike covered by my German contents insurance?
Only partly. If the bike is stolen from your locked flat, cellar or garage, Hausrat pays as a normal burglary. If it is stolen from the street, the policy pays only if the bicycle add-on is included, and then usually up to a limit such as 1 to 5 percent of the sum insured. Damage from a crash, vandalism or a failing battery is never covered by Hausrat. For an e-bike worth a few thousand euros, a separate policy is usually the better choice.
Why your Hausrat may not pay for a stolen bike
German contents insurance distinguishes between burglary and simple theft. A bike taken from a locked room in your home is burglary and covered. A bike locked to a railing outside is simple theft and covered only with the bicycle add-on. Many newcomers take out Hausrat without it.
The add-on is often limited to a percentage of the contents sum insured. For a small flat insured for EUR 30,000, a 1 percent limit means EUR 300, well below the price of an e-bike. Some older policies also exclude theft between 10 pm and 6 am unless the bike was still in use that night.
Pedelec, speed pedelec and e-scooter: three different legal categories
A pedelec assists you up to 25 km/h and is legally a bicycle. It needs no registration and no insurance, and your personal liability policy covers damage you cause to others. A speed pedelec assists up to 45 km/h and counts as a small motor vehicle: it needs an insurance plate, type approval and at least a class AM licence, and your personal liability policy no longer covers it.
E-scooters are a third category and always need an insurance plate. People arriving from countries where e-bikes and scooters are unregulated are regularly caught out by this.
Battery, electronics and wear
Replacement batteries often cost EUR 500 to 1,000. Good e-bike policies pay for a new battery if capacity drops below a set level, typically 50 or 60 percent, and cover electronic damage from moisture or power surges. Contents insurance does none of this.
Wear cover for chains, brake pads and tyres sounds attractive, but usually comes with waiting periods and servicing obligations. It raises the premium noticeably and pays off mostly for daily commuters and for bikes leased through an employer scheme.
What is covered
- Theft of the locked bike, in good policies around the clock
- Theft of fixed parts such as saddle, wheels and battery
- Accident and fall damage to the bike
- Vandalism
- Motor, electronics and battery damage
- Wear parts, if included
- Breakdown assistance in premium policies
- Replacement bike during repairs, depending on the policy
What is not covered
- Theft of a bike that was not locked
- Races and competitions unless included
- Defects covered by the manufacturer's or dealer's warranty
- Damage you cause to others, which is personal liability
- Your own injuries, which fall under accident insurance
- Wear without a wear add-on
Who needs it
- Owners of e-bikes or high-value bikes from around EUR 2,000
- Commuters who leave their bike at stations or outside the office
- Residents of large cities with high theft rates
- Employees with a leased company bike whose scheme insurance has gaps
Who can do without
- Owners of an inexpensive city bike covered by a contents add-on with an adequate limit
Wheel of misfortune
Spin the wheel of bad luck
Six things that really happen. The wheel picks yours and shows who pays.
Cost:
Budget policy
Strong policy
See all six cases
- Bike taken from the courtyard overnight, around EUR 800 to 4,000. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. A shared courtyard counts as outdoors. Contents insurance without the bicycle add-on pays nothing, a dedicated bike policy does if the bike was locked.
- Left unlocked outside the Späti, the price of the bike. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Even a two-minute stop without a lock voids the cover. Locking the bike is an obligation in every German policy.
- Only the battery is stolen, around EUR 500 to 1,000. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Contents add-ons often pay only when the whole bike disappears. Strong e-bike policies cover the battery on its own if it was locked or fixed.
- Cobblestones, crash, bent wheel, around EUR 100 to 600. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Contents insurance never pays for accident damage to your own bike. A full-cover bike policy pays for the repair.
- Stolen on a weekend in Amsterdam, the price of the bike. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Some policies only cover Germany, some Europe with limits. Strong policies apply worldwide on the same terms.
- Charger surge fries the controller, around EUR 300 to 800. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. A power surge is neither theft nor an accident. Only e-bike policies with electronics cover pay for it.
What it costs
Premiums depend mainly on the purchase price, where you live and how much cover you choose. Published comparisons show that prices rose markedly in 2025 and 2026, particularly in cities.
| Example | Typical range |
|---|---|
| E-bike EUR 3,000, full cover, mid-sized town | around EUR 80 to 120 a year |
| E-bike EUR 3,000, full cover, large city | around EUR 100 to 140 a year |
What drives the premium
- Purchase price and age of the bike
- Postcode, because theft rates vary widely
- Theft only or full cover including damage and wear
- Deductible
- Contract term and payment frequency
Guide figures from published German market comparisons, as of 2026. A contents add-on is cheaper but covers less. Your premium is only fixed in the quote.
The policy levels on the market
02
Theft policy
A separate policy against theft only, usually with new-for-old in the first years and no night-time clause.
03
Full cover
Theft, accidents, vandalism, electronics and battery, optionally wear and breakdown help. The usual choice for e-bikes.
How to recognise a good policy
| Criterion | Minimum standard | Strong policy | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settlement | current value | purchase price for the first three to five years | An e-bike loses value quickly, a replacement does not. |
| Night-time | excluded 10 pm to 6 am | no time restriction | Most bikes disappear at night. |
| Battery | theft only | also failure and capacity loss below 50 or 60 % | The battery is the most expensive wear part. |
| Lock requirements | minimum lock price specified | any separate lock | Strict lock clauses are the most common reason for refusal. |
| Payout | replacement bike from a partner dealer only | cash settlement at your choice | Cash lets you buy the bike you want, where you want. |
| Territory | Germany | worldwide | Bikes are stolen on holiday too. |
Insurers on the German market
Bike insurance is sold by specialist insurers, by traditional property insurers and as an add-on to almost every contents policy. Many online brands are intermediaries backed by another insurer. This list names the companies that carry the risk and is a market overview.
| Insurer | Background |
|---|---|
| WERTGARANTIE | specialist for device and bike cover, sold largely through bike shops |
| Ammerländer | mutual insurer with its own bike and e-bike policy, sold through brokers |
| Barmenia | own bike policy, part of Barmenia Gothaer since 2025 |
| Helvetia | Swiss group, property insurance via agents and brokers |
| Die Bayerische | brokers and direct sales |
| Allianz | bike theft as a contents add-on |
| HUK-COBURG | bike theft as a contents add-on, does not work with brokers |
From the BaFin register
155
155 insurers supervised by BaFin, the German regulator, are licensed for this class of insurance. (Hagel-, Frost- und sonstige Sachschäden)
Show all 155 names from the register
- ACM Versicherung AG
- ADAC Autoversicherung AG
- ADAC Versicherung AG
- ADAC Zuhause Versicherung AG
- ADLER Versicherung AG
- Allianz Direct Versicherungs-AG
- Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE
- Allianz Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- Alte Leipziger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Ambra Versicherung AG
- AMMERLÄNDER VERSICHERUNG Versicherungsverein a.G. (VVaG)
- andsafe Aktiengesellschaft
- ARAG Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- Astra Versicherung AG
- AXA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- BA die Bayerische Allgemeine Versicherung AG
- Badischer Gemeinde-Versicherungs-Verband
- Baloise Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft Deutschland
- Barmenia Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- BavariaDirekt Versicherung AG
- Bayerische Hausbesitzer-Versicherungs-Gesellschaft a.G.
- Bayerische Landesbrandversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Bayerischer Versicherungsverband Versicherungsaktiengesellschaft
- BD24 Berlin Direkt Versicherung AG
- Bergische Brandversicherung Allgemeine Feuerversicherung V.a.G.
- BGV-Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- CG Car-Garantie Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- Concordia Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
- CONSTANTIA Versicherungen a.G.
- Continentale Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Cosmos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- DA Deutsche Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- DARAG Deutschland AG
- Debeka Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft Sitz Koblenz am Rhein
- Delvag Versicherungs-AG
- DEVK Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- DEVK Deutsche Eisenbahn Versicherung Sach- und HUK-Versicherungsverein a.G. Betriebliche Sozialeinrichtung der Deutschen Bahn
- DFV Deutsche Familienversicherung AG
- Dialog Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Die Haftpflichtkasse VVaG
- DOCURA VVaG
- Dolleruper Freie Brandgilde
- Domestic & General Insurance Europe AG
- ERGO Direkt Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- ERGO Reiseversicherung AG
- ERGO Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- EUROPA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- EXTREMUS Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- Fahrlehrerversicherung Verein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Feuer- und Einbruchschadenkasse der BBBank in Karlsruhe, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Feuersozietät Berlin Brandenburg Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- GARANTA Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- Gartenbau-Versicherung VVaG
- Gebäudeversicherungsgilde für Föhr,Amrum und Halligen
- Generali Deutschland Versicherung AG
- GGG Kraftfahrzeug-Reparaturkosten-Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- Gothaer Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Gothaer Versicherungsbank VVaG
- Great Lakes Insurance SE
- GRUNDEIGENTÜMER-VERSICHERUNG Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- GVO Gegenseitigkeit Versicherung Oldenburg VVaG
- GVV Direktversicherung AG
- GVV-Kommunalversicherung, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Hagelgilde Versicherungsverein a.G., gegründet 1811
- Hamburger Beamten-Feuer-und Einbruchskasse
- Hamburger Feuerkasse Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- Hamburger Lehrer-Feuerkasse
- HanseMerkur Allgemeine Versicherung AG
- HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG
- Harsewinkeler Versicherung VaG
- HDI Global SE
- HDI Global Specialty SE
- HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- HDI Versicherung AG
- Helvetia Schweizerische Versicherungsgesellschaft AG Direktion für Deutschland
- Helvetia Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands a.G. in Coburg
- HUK-COBURG-Allgemeine Versicherung AG
- HUK24 AG
- Häger Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Hübener Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- IDEAL Versicherung AG
- INTER Allgemeine Versicherung AG
- Interlloyd Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- InterRisk Versicherungs-AG Vienna Insurance Group.
- ISSELHORSTER Versicherung V.a.G.
- Itzehoer Versicherung/Brandgilde von 1691 Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Janitos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- KRAVAG-ALLGEMEINE Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- KRAVAG-LOGISTIC Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- Landschaftliche Brandkasse Hannover
- LBN Versicherungsverein a.G. (VVaG)
- Lehrer-Feuerversicherungsverein a.G. für Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Lifestyle Protection AG
- Lippische Landesbrandversicherung AG
- Lucura Versicherungs AG
- LVM Landwirtschaftlicher Versicherungsverein Münster a.G.
- Mannheimer Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Markel Insurance SE
- Mecklenburgische Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Mercedes-Benz Versicherung AG
- MVK Versicherung VVaG
- MÜNCHENER VEREIN Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
- NEH Neue Hildener Versicherung AG
- Neodigital Versicherung AG
- Neuendorfer Brand-Bau-Gilde
- Newline Europe Versicherung AG
- nexible Versicherung AG
- Nordhemmer Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- NV-Versicherungen VVaG
- NÜRNBERGER Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- NÜRNBERGER BEAMTEN ALLGEMEINE VERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
- OKV - Ostdeutsche Kommunalversicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Ostangler Brandgilde, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit (VVaG)
- OSTBEVERNER Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit (VVaG)
- Pallas Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- ProTect Versicherung AG
- Provinzial Nord Brandkasse Aktiengesellschaft
- Provinzial Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- PVAG Polizeiversicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- R+V Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Real Garant Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- RheinLand Versicherungs Aktiengesellschaft
- Rhion Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- S DirektVersicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- SAARLAND Feuerversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Schleswiger Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- SCHNEVERDINGER Versicherungsverein a.G.
- SHB Allgemeine Versicherung VVaG
- SIGNAL IDUNA Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- SIGNAL IDUNA Unfallversicherung a. G.
- Sparkassen-Versicherung Sachsen Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Stuttgarter Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- SV SparkassenVersicherung Gebäudeversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- TRIAS Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Uelzener Allgemeine Versicherungs-Gesellschaft a.G.
- Union Reiseversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- uniVersa Allgemeine Versicherung AG
- Vereinigte Hagelversicherung VVaG
- Vereinigte Tierversicherung, Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Versicherer im Raum der Kirchen Sachversicherung AG
- Versicherungsverband Deutscher Eisenbahnen-Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- VHV Allgemeine Versicherung AG
- Volkswagen Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- VOLKSWOHL-BUND SACHVERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
- VPV Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
- Waldenburger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- WERTGARANTIE SE
- WGV-Versicherung AG
- WWK Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Württembergische Gemeinde-Versicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Württembergische Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Würzburger Versicherungs-AG
- Zurich Insurance Europe AG
- Öffentliche Feuerversicherung Sachsen-Anhalt
Source: BaFin company database, retrieved 18 September 2026. Insurers from other EU countries selling through a branch or without a German office are not included.
Legal basis and sources
Products and add-ons
Bicycle add-on to Hausrat
Easy to add but theft only and capped. Suits everyday bikes.
Theft-only bike policy
Separate cover against theft, often new-for-old. For expensive bikes parked outside.
Comprehensive bike policy
Theft, accident, vandalism, electronics, optionally wear and breakdown. The usual route for e-bikes.
Insurance plate for speed pedelecs
Liability like a moped, compulsory for bikes assisting up to 45 km/h.
Leased company bike
Cover is often arranged by the leasing company. Check the terms before you collect the bike.
Myth or truth
True or false?
Five things people say about this insurance. Guess first, then see the answer.
Cycling home from the beer garden is legal in Germany whatever you drank.
This is false.
No. From 1.6 per mille cycling is a criminal offence even without an accident, and from 0.3 per mille wobbly riding or a crash is enough. The authorities can also order a medical and psychological assessment that puts your driving licence at risk.
A pedelec needs no plate, no insurance and no helmet in Germany.
This is true.
True for pedelecs assisting up to 25 km/h. Germany has no helmet law for cyclists, although insurers can argue contributory fault in some cases. Speed pedelecs are a different category.
You have to register your bike with the police in Germany.
This is false.
No, there is no registration duty. Police stations and cycling clubs offer engraving with an owner code, which makes a stolen bike easier to return.
Adults may ride on the pavement if it is quiet.
This is false.
No. Only children under eight must, and children under ten may, ride on the pavement. An adult who injures a pedestrian there is usually fully liable, which your Privathaftpflicht pays.
Without a receipt, a bike theft claim is hard to win.
This is true.
True. The insurer needs proof of the price and the frame number. Photograph both and keep the pictures somewhere other than your phone.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Hausrat covers a bike stolen from the street
- Not keeping the receipt and frame number
- Using only a frame lock when the policy requires locking to a fixed object
- Riding a speed pedelec without an insurance plate
- Waiting too long after purchase, as many policies only accept bikes up to a certain age
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Do I have to insure my e-bike in Germany?
No, a pedelec assisting up to 25 km/h is legally a bicycle. A speed pedelec up to 45 km/h must have an insurance plate, and the rider needs at least a class AM licence.
What does e-bike insurance cost in Germany?
For a EUR 3,000 e-bike with full cover, published comparisons show around EUR 80 to 140 a year, higher in large cities. Theft-only cover and contents add-ons are cheaper.
My bike was stolen at the station. Will Hausrat pay?
Only if your policy has the bicycle add-on, the bike was locked and the theft does not fall into an excluded night-time window. Payment is limited to the agreed amount.
Is the battery covered if only the battery is stolen?
In good bike policies yes, if it was locked or fixed to the bike. Contents add-ons often cover it only when the whole bike is taken.
Who pays if I injure a pedestrian while cycling?
Your personal liability insurance, called Privathaftpflicht, for bikes and pedelecs. For speed pedelecs and e-scooters, the liability cover attached to the insurance plate.
Can I insure a bike I brought from abroad?
Usually yes, with a receipt showing price and purchase date. Some insurers limit the age of the bike at the start of the policy.
Does the policy apply when I cycle in other countries?
It depends on the territory clause. Good policies apply worldwide, some only in Germany or Europe.
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