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Home emergency cover in Germany: the Haus- und Wohnungsschutzbrief explained

Locked out, toilet blocked, heating dead on a Sunday night: in Germany none of these is a claim under contents or buildings insurance. The Haus- und Wohnungsschutzbrief fills that gap. It sends a tradesperson through a 24 hour helpline and pays the call-out up to a fixed limit. If you know home emergency cover from the UK, the idea is similar.

The question almost everyone asks first

Does my German contents insurance pay the locksmith?

Usually not. Hausratversicherung pays for your belongings after fire, escaping water, burglary, storm or hail. Many policies also pay to change the locks when keys are taken in a burglary or robbery. Simply locking yourself out, or losing your keys on the way home, is not covered there. That is what the Haus- und Wohnungsschutzbrief is for: it pays the door opening and usually a temporary lock, up to the limit in your policy.

Where contents and buildings insurance stop

German home insurance is split in two. Hausrat covers what you would take with you when moving out, Wohngebäude covers the building itself. Both pay for damage. A blocked drain where nothing has leaked, or a boiler that simply stops working, is not damage in their sense, so neither of them pays the plumber.

The Schutzbrief pays for the emergency call-out, not for the damage. If a pipe bursts and soaks the wall, it may pay the plumber who stops the water. Drying, the new pipe and the ruined floor are claims under buildings and contents insurance.

Call the helpline first

Almost every German policy works through an assistance company with a helpline. You call, they send a tradesperson from their network and settle the bill directly. For newcomers this solves a real problem: finding a trustworthy locksmith at night, in German, is hard.

If you hire someone yourself, many policies pay less or nothing at all. Some reimburse a much lower amount against an invoice, others require that the insurer's service partner organises the help. Save the number in your phone on the day you buy the policy.

Tenants and the landlord's duties

Most expats in Germany rent. You can buy the cover as a tenant, usually as an add-on to your Hausrat policy. Watch one clause: where the landlord or the property management is responsible for a repair, for example the central heating or pipes in the shared parts of the building, some policies exclude or limit the service.

A holiday flat or second home is not included automatically. It has to be named in the policy.

What is covered

  • Locksmith when you are locked out or your keys are lost or stolen
  • Temporary lock or securing the front door
  • Clearing blocked drains, toilets and main sewer pipes
  • Emergency plumber, electrician and heating engineer
  • Pest control and removal of wasp or hornet nests, depending on the policy
  • Hotel costs if the home becomes uninhabitable after damage, depending on the policy
  • A helpline that is reachable around the clock

What is not covered

  • Costs above the limit per call-out
  • Repairs to the system itself, wear and tear, missing maintenance
  • Defects that existed before the policy started
  • Repairs the landlord or property management must do, depending on the terms
  • A new high security lock instead of the temporary one
  • The damage itself, which belongs to buildings and contents insurance
  • Premises used for business

Who needs it

  • Tenants and owners who do not want to search for a tradesperson in an emergency
  • Newcomers to Germany without local contacts or fluent German
  • Owners of houses with an older boiler or older drains
  • Commuters and frequent travellers who are not home when something goes wrong

Who does not need it

  • A second Schutzbrief when contents and buildings insurance already include one: one per household is enough
  • People with savings and reliable local tradespeople can pay small emergencies themselves

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. Locked out, keys inside, locksmith, extra at night. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Some policies pay the locksmith only after loss or theft of keys. Stronger ones also pay when you are simply locked out.
  2. Toilet blocked on Saturday night, depends on the work, weekend surcharge. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. Drain clearing is core cover in almost every Schutzbrief. Contents and buildings insurance do not pay it while nothing is damaged.
  3. Heating fails in January, call-out plus part, often over €500. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. With a €500 limit you may pay the rest. Higher limits and loan heaters make the difference.
  4. Wasp nest in the shutter box, specialist, depends on access. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Basic add-ons leave out pests and wasps. Extended cover includes them.
  5. Burst pipe soaks the wall, drying and repair. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays in part. The Schutzbrief pays the emergency plumber. The damage is a claim under buildings and contents insurance.
  6. Old boiler finally gives up, a new boiler. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. No Schutzbrief pays for wear and replacement. It bridges the emergency, it does not renovate.

What it costs

As an add-on to contents or buildings insurance, the Schutzbrief often costs around €20 to €60 a year. Separate policies cost more, and prices vary widely between insurers.

What drives the premium

  • Add-on or separate policy
  • Limit per call-out and per year
  • Scope, for example pests, hotel and household appliances
  • Flat or whole house, second home included
  • Excess, if agreed

The range comes from German comparison sites and insurers. Your premium is fixed only in the quote.

The policy levels on the market

01

Basic emergency add-on

Locksmith, drain clearing and emergency trades with a low limit per call-out, often €500.

02

Extended cover

Higher limits, plus pests, wasp nests, hotel costs and help when you go to hospital, such as childcare or pet care.

03

Separate policy

Bought independently of your contents or buildings insurer, useful when your insurer does not offer an add-on.

How to recognise a good policy

CriterionMinimum standardStrong policyWhy it matters
Limit per call-out €500 €1,000 or more A weekend heating call-out with a spare part can exceed €500.
Yearly cap two or three call-outs no cap on call-outs, annual maximum of €3,000 or more One winter can bring a heating failure and a blocked drain.
Locksmith only after loss or theft of keys also when locked out, with temporary lock The door that swings shut is the most common case.
Materials call-out and labour only materials and spare parts up to the limit Parts are often the largest part of the bill.
Self-arranged help only via the helpline reimbursement also when you hire someone yourself If you cannot reach the helpline, you would otherwise pay everything.
Tenant clause excluded where the landlord is responsible service even when the landlord cannot be reached At night and at weekends, property managers rarely answer.

Insurers on the German market

Many German property insurers offer the Schutzbrief as an add-on to contents and buildings insurance, some as a separate policy. The helpline is often run by an assistance company. This list is a market overview, not a recommendation.

InsurerBackground
ADAChome Schutzbrief as a separate policy
ARAGseparate Haus- und Wohnungsschutzbrief
Allianzadd-on to contents and buildings insurance, agents and brokers
ERGOadd-on to contents and buildings insurance
HUK-COBURGadd-on, sold through its own offices only, not through brokers
Interlloydbroker insurer, Schutzbrief as an add-on
ROLAND Schutzbriefspecialist insurer, often the risk carrier behind other brands

From the BaFin register

163

163 insurers supervised by BaFin, the German regulator, are licensed for this class of insurance.

(Beistandsleistungen auf Reisen, Hagel-, Frost- und sonstige Sachschäden)

Show all 163 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
  • ARAG SE
  • Astra Versicherung AG
  • AXA easy Versicherung AG
  • AXA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • BA die Bayerische Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Badischer Gemeinde-Versicherungs-Verband
  • Baloise Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft Deutschland
  • Barmenia Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Barmenia Versicherungen a.G.
  • 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
  • Deutsche Assistance Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • 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 Autoversicherung 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
  • ROLAND Schutzbrief-Versicherung AG
  • 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
  • Verti Versicherung AG
  • VHV Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Volkswagen Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • VOLKSWOHL-BUND SACHVERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • VPV Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
  • VRK Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit im Raum der Kirchen
  • 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

Add-on to contents insurance

The usual route for tenants. Runs and ends with the Hausrat policy.

Add-on to buildings insurance

For homeowners, often with services for roof, heating and drains of the whole house.

Separate Schutzbrief

A policy of its own, useful when your current insurer has no add-on.

Myth or truth

True or false?

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

German contents insurance pays the locksmith when I lock myself out.

This is false.

Usually not. Hausrat may pay new locks after a burglary or robbery, but a lockout belongs to the Schutzbrief.

One Schutzbrief per household is enough.

This is true.

True. It covers the home, so a second add-on on another policy mostly means paying twice.

Home emergency cover replaces buildings insurance.

This is false.

No. It pays for the call-out, up to a small limit. Damage to the building is only covered by Wohngebäude insurance.

Hiring your own tradesperson can cost you the reimbursement.

This is true.

True. Many policies require the insurer's service partner to organise the help, and pay less or nothing otherwise.

The cover pays any bill in full.

This is false.

False. There is a limit per call-out, often €500, and often a yearly cap.

Common mistakes

  • Calling a locksmith yourself when the policy requires the helpline
  • Buying the add-on twice, for contents and for buildings
  • Expecting the Schutzbrief to pay for a burst pipe's damage
  • Assuming it pays for a new high security lock
  • Not checking the tenant clause in a rented flat

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Is this the same as the car Schutzbrief?

No.

The car Schutzbrief covers breakdown and accident help on the road.

The Haus- und Wohnungsschutzbrief covers emergencies in your home.

They only share the name.

Is home emergency cover worth it for tenants in Germany?

It can be, mainly for lockouts and blocked drains in your flat.

Check whether the policy excludes repairs your landlord is responsible for,

such as central heating.

Do I have to call the helpline?

Under most policies, yes.

The helpline sends the tradesperson and pays directly.

If you arrange help yourself, you may get only part of the cost back, or nothing.

Are spare parts covered?

It depends on the policy.

Some pay only the call-out and labour,

others also the temporary lock and spare parts up to the limit.

Who pays when a pipe bursts?

Buildings insurance pays for the building and the new pipe,

contents insurance for your damaged belongings.

The Schutzbrief pays at most for the emergency plumber who stops the water.

Does it cover my holiday flat?

Only if the flat is named in the policy.

Cover normally applies to the address in the contract.

Can I cancel the add-on on its own?

Often yes, sometimes only together with the main policy.

If you cancel your contents or buildings insurance, the add-on usually ends with it.

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