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Erection all risks insurance in Germany: covering plant until handover

If your company installs machinery, production lines or steel structures at a customer's site in Germany, you usually carry the risk of damage until the customer formally accepts the work. Drop a component from the crane, blow a control cabinet on first start-up or lose cable to thieves overnight, and you rebuild at your own cost. Erection all risks insurance, Montageversicherung in German, is the property cover for that period, test runs included.

The question almost everyone asks first

Do I need erection all risks cover for an installation job in Germany?

In most cases yes, if you install equipment on site and bear the risk until acceptance. Under a German works contract that is the default position (§ 644 BGB). Your general liability policy will not help, because it pays for damage to other people's property, not to your own work before handover. Pure suppliers without installation and service firms usually do not need it.

Erection all risks versus contractors all risks

German insurers draw the line by what is being built. Contractors all risks (Bauleistungsversicherung) covers structures such as foundations, buildings and roads. Erection all risks covers machinery, mechanical equipment, steelwork and technical plant that is assembled, connected and commissioned. Large industrial sites often carry both policies side by side.

The overlap zones are machine foundations and building services. Agree in writing before work starts which items fall under which policy, otherwise each insurer may point at the other after a loss.

Commissioning is where the big losses happen

Lifting accidents are visible, but the expensive claims tend to come at first start-up: a swapped phase, a forgotten bolt in a gearbox, overpressure in a line. Test runs are normally included, but only for an agreed period. If commissioning drags on, for example because the customer asks for changes, extend the cover before it expires.

Cover ends when the test run is completed, at acceptance or when the plant is declared ready for operation, whichever comes first. From then on the plant is the operator's risk under their machinery breakdown or electronic equipment policy. Make sure the handover date is documented.

Extensions worth asking for

Beyond the installed object you can usually add your own erection equipment such as scaffolding, hoists and tool containers, the customer's existing plant you connect to, debris removal and salvage costs, and express or air freight for spare parts. Each extension needs its own sum insured.

Existing plant is the one most often missed. Tie a new control system into a running line, damage the line, and without this extension neither the erection policy nor liability cover will reliably pay.

Annual policy for regular installers

Firms that install only occasionally insure each project separately. Companies with a steady flow of jobs are usually better served by an annual policy that covers every installation up to a limit per object, with the premium based on declared installation turnover. No job then starts uninsured because a declaration was forgotten.

What is covered

  • Sudden and unforeseen damage to the installed object until acceptance
  • Clumsiness, negligence and operating errors by fitters
  • Damage during lifting, setting down and alignment
  • Short circuit, overvoltage and the effects of erection errors during test runs
  • Fire, lightning, explosion, storm and, depending on the policy, flood
  • Theft of installed parts and vandalism
  • Erection equipment and existing plant, if included
  • Debris removal, salvage and express freight as agreed

What is not covered

  • The defective part itself after a design, material or casting fault, usually only the resulting damage
  • Damage after acceptance or the start of regular operation
  • Third party liability for property damage or injury
  • Contract penalties, delay and loss of profit
  • Wear and tear, rust and gradual deterioration
  • The agreed deductible

Who needs it

  • Machine and plant builders who install and commission at the customer's site
  • Installation contractors and self-employed fitters
  • Steel construction, conveyor and crane companies
  • Manufacturers of energy, ventilation and process plant
  • Foreign firms installing in Germany under a German works contract

Who does not need it

  • Companies that only deliver and leave installation to the customer
  • Pure maintenance and service providers

Wheel of misfortune

Spin the wheel of bad luck

Six things that really happen. The wheel picks yours and shows who pays.

See all six cases
  1. Component slips off the crane, new part, freight and reinstallation. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. The textbook erection loss. Damage to the installed object is paid, less the deductible.
  2. Short circuit on first start-up, control cabinet, motors, wiring. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Covered while the agreed test run period lasts. Weak policies keep it short.
  3. Copper cable stolen overnight, material and labour to reinstall. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Installed parts are usually covered, loose material in storage only with a specific extension.
  4. Customer's existing line damaged, repair of the existing plant. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Existing plant is not part of the installed object. It is covered only when expressly included.
  5. Erection fault shows after handover, resulting damage to the plant. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays in part. Cover ends at acceptance. Some policies offer limited maintenance period cover.
  6. Customer claims a delay penalty, contract penalty for late handover. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Penalties and delay losses are not physical damage. No erection policy pays them.

What it costs

The premium depends mainly on the erection value, meaning the replacement value of the object including installation costs, and on the time until acceptance. Annual policies are rated on declared installation turnover, usually with a minimum premium. We have no reliable, independently published example premiums for this class in Germany, so we do not quote figures.

What drives the premium

  • Erection value and value of the heaviest single item
  • Type of plant and share of electrical and control equipment
  • Duration of installation and test runs
  • Site, country and exposure to flood or theft
  • Included erection equipment and existing plant
  • Claims history and deductible

The insurer prices the risk only after reviewing the project description, installation schedule and site.

The policy levels on the market

01

Single project policy

One installation from unloading to acceptance with a fixed test run period. Suits firms with occasional large jobs.

02

Annual policy

All installations in a year up to a limit per object, premium based on turnover, options for erection equipment and existing plant.

03

Major project cover

For power, chemical or industrial plant with high values: individually underwritten, often covering all parties and the maintenance period.

How to recognise a good policy

CriterionMinimum standardStrong policyWhy it matters
Test run period short and fixed generous and extendable on request Commissioning almost always takes longer than planned.
Consequences of faults external causes only resulting damage from design and erection faults covered Most losses start with a mistake on your own side.
Existing plant not covered included with its own sum insured Connecting to a running line puts the largest values at risk.
Erection equipment excluded scaffolding, hoists and tools included Your equipment sits on someone else's site for weeks.
Natural perils storm only flood and heavy rain included Open halls and pits fill up quickly.
Territorial scope Germany only worldwide or all countries you need Plant engineering is an export business.
Maintenance period not covered erection faults that show after handover covered as an option A fault made during installation can cause damage months later.

Insurers on the German market

In Germany erection all risks is written mainly by property insurers with engineering departments and, for large plant, by industrial insurers. Acceptance depends on the plant, the values and the country. This is a market overview, not a statement about who we work with.

InsurerBackground
Allianzproperty and casualty company of the Allianz group, based in Munich
HDI Globalindustrial insurer of the Talanx group for larger corporate clients
Mannheimerproperty insurer based in Mannheim with its own erection insurance terms
ZurichEuropean company of the Zurich group, based in Frankfurt
R+Vinsurer of the German cooperative banks, based in Wiesbaden
VHVbroker focused insurer from Hanover with a construction and trades focus
HelvetiaGerman company of the Swiss Helvetia group

Compare the wordings of all tariffs Erection all risks 3 tariffs from 3 providers, as of 24 October 2026

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…
  • 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…
  • 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, 18 September 2026; EU insurers without a German office excluded.

Legal basis and sources

Products and add-ons

Single project erection policy

One policy for one installation with a fixed term. Simple, but every job must be declared in time.

Annual erection policy

Covers all installations in the year automatically up to the agreed limit. Standard for firms with ongoing work.

Contractors all risks

The sister class for the structure itself. On mixed sites the two policies complement each other.

Machinery breakdown insurance

Takes over after acceptance and covers the plant in operation, taken out by the operator.

Cargo insurance

Covers the journey from the factory to the site. Erection cover usually starts at unloading.

Myth or truth

True or false?

Five things people say about this insurance. Guess first, then see the answer.

Liability insurance pays for damage to my own installation before handover.

This is false.

No. Liability cover pays for damage to other people's property. Your own work before acceptance is almost always excluded, which is exactly what erection all risks is for.

Test runs are covered for as long as they take.

This is false.

No. Test runs are usually covered for an agreed period, and the cover must be extended in time if commissioning is delayed.

The customer can take out the erection policy instead of the supplier.

This is true.

Yes. On large projects the customer often insures the whole project and all parties under one policy. The supply contract should say who insures.

After a material defect, the faulty part itself is usually not replaced.

This is true.

True for most policies. The damage the defect causes to other parts is covered, while replacing the faulty part is the supplier's warranty obligation.

A contractors all risks policy also covers machinery installation.

This is false.

Usually not. Contractors all risks covers structures. Machinery and technical plant including test runs belong under erection all risks.

Common mistakes

  • Relying on liability insurance, which does not cover your own work
  • Extending commissioning without telling the insurer
  • Leaving out the customer's existing plant you connect to
  • Insuring transport and erection separately and leaving a gap at unloading
  • Choosing limits per object in an annual policy that are too low

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

What is the difference between erection all risks and contractors all risks?

Contractors all risks covers structures, erection all risks covers machinery,

steelwork and technical plant including test runs.

What matters is what is being built, not where.

Mixed sites often need both with a clear dividing line.

When does cover start and end?

Usually from unloading on site until acceptance or the start of regular operation.

Transport to the site needs cargo cover,

operation afterwards needs the operator's machinery policy.

Are test runs always included?

Usually, but only for an agreed period.

If commissioning takes longer, extend the cover before it lapses.

Check this period in every quote.

Does the policy pay if a design fault causes the loss?

It usually pays for the damage the fault causes to other parts,

not for replacing the faulty part itself.

That remains a warranty matter for the supplier.

Who should buy the policy, the supplier or the customer?

The contract decides.

Usually whoever carries the risk until acceptance insures, typically the manufacturer or installer.

On large projects the customer often insures all parties under one policy.

We are a foreign company installing in Germany. Can we insure locally?

Yes.

A German policy can cover your installation in Germany, and some customers prefer a German insurer.

Alternatively your home policy may extend to Germany; we compare both routes.

Are our tools and lifting gear covered?

Only if erection equipment is included as an extension.

Otherwise they need separate equipment or machinery cover.

Why use a broker?

Because insurers treat test runs, existing plant,

consequential damage and foreign sites very differently,

and acceptance depends on the project.

We collect quotes, compare wording and align the boundary with contractors all risks and cargo

cover.

The insurer pays our commission.

NAMMERT insurance broker

Request quotes for Erection all risks

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Erection all risks insurance

For example length of test runs, heaviest item, requirements in the supply contract,

previous claims

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Often goes with it

Cargo insurance

Cargo insurance

Do I need cargo insurance if the haulier is liable anyway?

Boat or yacht? NAMMERT has its own cover concepts for boats, arranged by the same broker.

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