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Firearms insurance in Germany: hunting and sporting guns, scopes and accessories

Hunting liability insurance pays for damage you cause to others. It does not pay for your own rifle, shotgun or scope. In Germany that is the job of a separate firearms policy, sold on its own or as an add-on to a hunting package. It covers burglary, robbery, breakage and transport damage, and on some policies hunting trips abroad.

The question almost everyone asks first

I already have hunting liability insurance. Do I need firearms insurance too?

Hunting liability is compulsory for a German hunting licence; firearms insurance is optional. It protects something different: not claims from third parties but your own guns, optics and accessories. Household contents insurance helps only at home and usually only after a break-in. If you carry guns and optics worth several thousand euros to the hunt, the range or abroad, a dedicated firearms policy is the better fit.

What firearms insurance covers that contents insurance does not

Firearms insurance is property cover for movable items. It covers the guns listed in the policy schedule and, depending on the policy, scopes, mounts, binoculars, spotting scopes, cases and other accessories. The sum insured is the total of the declared values. Many German policies are based on the non binding model terms of the German Insurance Association (GDV) for hunting and sporting guns, which the association extended with special terms for new value cover in 2025.

German household contents insurance replaces guns stolen in a break-in at home, often only up to a limit for valuables. Away from home its cover is narrow, and breakage, falls and transport damage are not insured. Those are exactly the cases a good firearms policy pays for: the rifle that topples from a high seat, the scope scratched in the car, the shotgun stolen on the way to the range.

The gun safe: a legal duty and a condition of cover

Section 36 of the German Weapons Act (WaffG) and section 13 of its ordinance (AWaffV) require licensed firearms to be kept in a security cabinet. Safes bought since July 2017 must meet at least resistance grade 0 under EN 1143-1. How many handguns a safe may hold depends on its grade and weight. Guns are stored unloaded. Older safes may remain in use under certain conditions.

Insurers make these rules a condition of cover, often with extra rules for guns left in a car. Leaving a rifle in the boot overnight or the safe key lying around can reduce or cancel a payout. Ask before you sign which storage rules apply in the car, at a hunting lodge and in a hotel.

New value or current value, schedule and sum insured

Older policies pay only the current value after a loss. For a twenty year old double rifle that is little, even if a comparable new gun costs many times more. New value policies pay replacement cost, some only up to a certain age of the item. Also check for a separate limit on optics: thermal and night vision devices are expensive and on some policies insured only up to a fixed amount.

Keep the gun schedule up to date. Anything not declared is usually not insured, and a sum that is too low leads to underinsurance. Good policies include provisional cover for new purchases and waive underinsurance up to a limit. Update the schedule after every purchase, sale or modification, with serial numbers and receipts.

Hunting trips and competitions abroad

For hunting trips and shooting competitions in the EU and in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland you need the European Firearms Pass. You apply to your local weapons authority; the pass lists up to ten guns and is valid for five years. Carry it together with your ID and firearms licence (Waffenbesitzkarte).

Whether your insurance travels with you depends on its territorial scope. Some policies cover Europe only, good ones worldwide. If you fly to Africa or North America to hunt, check whether guns are covered as checked baggage and what you must do after a loss, such as getting a report from the airline.

What is covered

  • Burglary and robbery, at home and away, depending on the policy
  • Breakage, falls and other damage, for example at a high seat or while stalking
  • Transport damage by car, train or as checked baggage, if agreed
  • Fire, water and storm at the place of storage
  • Scopes, mounts, binoculars, spotting scopes and cases, if listed
  • Repair costs at a gunsmith, often including re-zeroing
  • Theft from a locked car, subject to time and storage rules

What is not covered

  • Wear and tear, barrel wear and ordinary malfunctions
  • Simple theft and unexplained disappearance on many policies
  • Theft or embezzlement by relatives, depending on the policy
  • Losses after a breach of the storage rules
  • Seizure or confiscation by the authorities
  • Guns and accessories not on the schedule
  • Damage you cause to others, which is a matter for hunting liability

Who needs it

  • Hunters with a rifle, shotgun and high quality optics
  • Sport shooters who take their guns to training and competitions
  • Owners of thermal and night vision devices worth more than the gun
  • Hunters who travel abroad to hunt
  • Collectors whose guns are only covered up to a limit under contents insurance

Who does not need it

  • A separate policy if you own a single inexpensive gun that stays in the safe and is adequately covered by contents insurance

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. Burglary, gun safe forced open, value of all guns in the safe. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. Burglary from a compliant gun safe is covered by every firearms policy. Without contents or firearms cover, the loss is yours.
  2. Rifle falls from a high seat, gunsmith repair and re-zeroing. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Breakage and falls are covered by all risks policies. Basic named perils policies often do not pay.
  3. Thermal scope stolen from car, often several thousand euros. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Many policies require a locked boot and cap optics. Strong policies cover thermal devices without a separate cap and with rules you can meet.
  4. Gun case lost at the airport, value of the gun and optics. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Checked baggage and worldwide cover come with strong policies. Europe only cover does not help on an African safari.
  5. New scope never declared, price of the scope. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays in part. What is not on the schedule is usually not insured. Provisional cover for new purchases helps, but only up to a limit and for a short time.
  6. Barrel worn out after years, new barrel from a gunsmith. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Wear from normal use is not an insured event. No firearms policy pays for it.

What it costs

The premium mainly depends on the sum insured, the value of all declared guns and accessories. Scope of cover, territory and excess also matter.

What drives the premium

  • Sum insured from the gun schedule
  • New value or current value
  • All risks cover or named perils only
  • Europe or worldwide
  • Excess, sometimes a separate one for theft from a car
  • Separate policy or add-on to hunting liability

We do not quote price ranges because the sums vary too widely between a single shotgun and a full kit with thermal optics. Your premium is set in the quote.

The policy levels on the market

01

Contents insurance with a valuables limit

Guns in the safe are covered against burglary, fire and water, usually only at home and up to a limit. No breakage, no transport.

02

Firearms add-on to a hunting package

Named perils such as theft, robbery and breakage, often current value and cover in Europe. Affordable, but with fixed limits for optics.

03

Stand-alone firearms policy at new value

All risks cover for all listed guns and accessories, new value, worldwide, provisional cover for new purchases. For hunters with valuable kit and travelling hunters.

How to recognise a good policy

CriterionMinimum standardStrong policyWhy it matters
New value current value new value without a short age limit Used guns have a low current value, replacing them costs much more.
Perils burglary, robbery, fire all risks including breakage and transport Most losses happen in transit and in the field, not in the safe.
Optics and thermal devices optics on the schedule optics and thermal devices without a separate cap Modern optics often cost more than the gun.
Territory Europe worldwide, including hunting trips and checked baggage Hunting abroad without worldwide cover is a real gap.
Theft from a car only from a locked boot in daytime clear rules you can meet on the way to the hunt Many claims fail on time and storage conditions.
New purchases and underinsurance none provisional cover and underinsurance waiver If you buy and forget to update the schedule, you are otherwise unprotected.
Re-zeroing and expert costs repair only re-zeroing and loss adjuster included After a repair the gun has to be zeroed again.

Insurers on the German market

Only a few German insurers offer stand-alone firearms policies, often based on the GDV model terms. Some large hunting liability insurers cover only borrowed guns under liability, not your own. This list is a market overview, not a ranking.

InsurerBackground
Alte Leipzigerhunting and sporting gun insurance, sells through brokers
Gothaerhunting and sporting gun insurance, scopes insured when declared with value
INTERhunting and sporting guns as property cover in its hunting range
ARAGproperty cover for shooting clubs
Allianzhunting liability with cover for borrowed guns, no property cover for own guns found

Compare the wordings of all tariffs Firearms insurance 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

Firearms add-on to hunting liability

An easy start for hunters who already have hunting liability. Check optics limits and territory before you sign.

Stand-alone hunting and sporting gun policy

Separate contract with a gun schedule, chosen sum insured and its own terms, often with new value and worldwide cover.

Club cover for sport shooters

Clubs insure club guns and sometimes members guns under group contracts. Cover is often narrow, private guns usually need their own policy.

Fine art and valuables insurance

For collections of valuable historic guns that should be insured as a collection.

Myth or truth

True or false?

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

My hunting liability policy will replace my stolen rifle.

This is false.

Wrong. Liability pays for damage you cause to others. Your own gun is protected only by property cover such as firearms or contents insurance.

A newly bought gun safe in Germany must meet at least resistance grade 0.

This is true.

True. Since July 2017 German law requires new security cabinets to meet at least grade 0 under EN 1143-1. Older safes may stay in use under conditions.

I need no papers for my gun on a hunting trip within the EU.

This is false.

Wrong. You need the European Firearms Pass listing your guns, plus your ID and firearms licence.

If I breach the storage rules, the insurer can reduce the payout.

This is true.

True. Policies make legal storage a condition of cover. Breaching it can reduce or cancel the payout.

My scope is always insured together with the gun.

This is false.

Not always. Many policies cover optics only when listed with their value, some only up to a fixed amount.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming hunting liability also pays for your own gun
  • Buying a new gun or scope and not updating the schedule
  • Leaving guns in the car overnight without knowing the policy rules
  • Insuring a thermal device without checking the optics limit
  • Flying to an African hunt with Europe only cover
  • Not keeping serial numbers and receipts

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Is firearms insurance compulsory in Germany?

No.

For hunters only hunting liability is compulsory, as a condition of the hunting licence.

Firearms insurance is optional cover for your own guns and accessories.

Does household contents insurance pay if my guns are stolen?

After a break-in at home it often does,

but usually only up to a limit for valuables and only at the insured address.

Breakage, transport damage and theft away from home are generally not covered.

Which gun safe does German law require?

Under section 36 WaffG and section 13 AWaffV a security cabinet of at least resistance grade 0

under EN 1143-1.

How many handguns it may hold depends on grade and weight.

Older safes may stay in use under conditions; if in doubt, ask your weapons authority.

Is my scope automatically insured?

Not always.

Many policies cover optics only if they are listed with their value,

and some set a separate cap for thermal and night vision devices.

Does the policy cover hunting trips?

That depends on the territory.

Some policies cover Europe only, others worldwide.

For travel within the EU you also need the European Firearms Pass.

What is the difference between new value and current value?

New value is the price of an equivalent new item.

Current value deducts age and wear.

For older guns the current value is often far below replacement cost.

What should I do after a theft?

Report it to the police at once,

inform the weapons authority and notify the insurer with the gun schedule,

serial numbers and receipts.

Deadlines are in the policy terms.

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