01
Basic
Cover in the low millions, damage to your own land only when groundwater is at risk. A floor for small above ground tanks.
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Oil tank liability insurance in Germany: liability without a ceiling
If you run a heating oil tank in Germany, section 89 of the Federal Water Act (WHG) makes you liable for any water pollution it causes, without fault and without an upper limit. Personal liability insurance often leaves larger tanks out. Oil tank liability insurance, called Gewässerschadenhaftpflicht, closes that gap, for a tank in the basement as well as one buried in the garden.
The question almost everyone asks first
Do I need separate insurance for my oil tank?
Usually yes. It is not compulsory, but under section 89 WHG the operator of a tank is liable for pollution of groundwater and surface water regardless of fault and without limit. Many personal liability policies cover only small containers; some include above ground tanks up to roughly 3,000 to 5,000 litres. Underground tanks and larger systems nearly always need a policy of their own. Check the wording of your personal liability policy first.
Section 89 WHG: why your own conduct hardly matters
The German Federal Water Act distinguishes two cases. Whoever puts substances into water is liable for that act. Whoever operates an installation from which substances escape into water is liable as its operator, even without any fault. A heating oil tank is such an installation. If it corrodes unnoticed or a pipe bursts during delivery, you answer for the consequences.
Groundwater counts as water under the Act. A few litres of oil in the soil can trigger a clean up, and if the local water supplier has to close a well, the bill comes to you. There is no legal ceiling on these costs, and remediation easily reaches six figures.
Above ground or buried: what the difference means
Tanks in a basement usually sit in a bunded room or have double walls, so a leak shows early. Buried tanks are harder to watch, and a leak often reaches the soil before anyone notices. That is why they cost more to insure and why the AwSV ordinance requires them to be inspected by an expert, as a rule every five years and more often in water protection zones.
For above ground tanks the inspection duty depends on size and location; the lower water authority of your district (untere Wasserbehörde) can tell you which intervals apply. Flood zones carry extra requirements because a tank can float and leak in high water. Keep the inspection reports with your policy documents, since missed inspections can lead to disputes with the insurer.
What matters in the small print
The consumer magazine Finanztest compared policies without a general deductible in issue 8/2024. Cover amounts ranged from 2 to 50 million euros, and premiums for the same tank differed several times over. Price says little about quality.
Three points matter most: damage to your own property, meaning soil and walls, even before groundwater is at risk; emergency costs paid to prevent an imminent loss; and no cuts for minor lapses. No liability policy replaces the tank itself.
What is covered
- Compensation to third parties when heating oil pollutes groundwater, wells or watercourses
- Clean up of soil and groundwater ordered by the authorities
- Emergency costs to prevent an imminent loss
- Damage to your own land, such as soil and walls, depending on the policy
- Defence against unjustified claims, including in court
- Spills during delivery, where you are liable as the operator
- Oil damage after a flood, depending on the policy
What is not covered
- The tank itself, its pipes and the repair of the system
- Deliberate breaches of inspection and maintenance duties
- Gradual damage, where the policy excludes it
- Commercial installations that have not been declared
- Tanks larger than stated in the policy
- Fines and penalties
Who needs it
- Every owner of a buried tank, whatever its size
- Owners of an above ground tank that personal liability does not include
- Landlords who run oil heating for their tenants
- Owners' associations with a shared tank
- Owners of a decommissioned tank that still holds residual oil
Who does not need it
- People who only store small containers, such as a can for the lawnmower: personal liability usually covers that
- Owners whose tank has been cleaned and properly decommissioned
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
- Tank corrodes, oil in groundwater, five to six figures for clean up and experts. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. The classic case under section 89 WHG. Every oil tank liability policy pays up to its limit.
- Pipe leaks into your own basement, four to five figures for disposal and repair. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. If groundwater is not yet at risk, weak policies often refuse. Good ones always include damage to soil and walls.
- Tank overfilled during delivery, four to five figures. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. You are liable to third parties as the operator. Your insurer pays and recovers from the supplier if the supplier was at fault.
- Flood lifts the tank, five to six figures, next door too. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Some basic policies exclude flood. Strong ones include it, but the duties in a flood zone still apply.
- Pumping out before the loss, about three to four figures. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Good policies expressly pay emergency costs incurred before the actual loss. Acting early prevents the big clean up.
- New tank after the leak, four to five figures. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. No liability policy replaces the installation itself. The tank, pipes and repair are your cost.
What it costs
Oil tank liability insurance is inexpensive, but prices vary widely between insurers. Buried tanks cost more than above ground ones, large tanks more than small ones.
| Example | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Above ground tank, 3,000 litres | about 20 to over 90 € a year |
| Tank holding 10,000 litres | about 29 to 191 € a year |
What drives the premium
- Capacity in litres
- Location: inside the building, outdoors or underground
- Construction, such as double walls or a drip tray
- Cover amount and deductible
- Extras such as damage to your own land
Ranges from the Finanztest comparison, issue 8/2024, for policies without a general deductible. Your premium is fixed only in the quote.
The policy levels on the market
02
Standard
Several million euros, emergency costs and damage to soil and walls included. Suits most oil heating systems.
03
Premium
High cover, flood included, no cuts for minor lapses, several tanks in one policy. For buried tanks and large systems.
How to recognise a good policy
| Criterion | Minimum standard | Strong policy | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover amount | 2 million € | 10 million € or more | Liability under section 89 WHG has no limit, and wells and soil clean up quickly cost six figures. |
| Damage to your own land | only if groundwater is at risk | soil and walls always included | The most common loss hits your own basement and garden first. |
| Emergency costs | after the loss has occurred | also to prevent an imminent loss | Pumping out early prevents the big loss, and you should not pay for that yourself. |
| Deductible | 250 € or more | none | Even a small spill in the basement means disposal and an expert's fee. |
| Flood | excluded | included | Floating tanks are a typical cause of loss in floods. |
| Inspection duties | benefit cut for any lapse | cut only for gross negligence | A missed deadline should not cost you all of your cover. |
| Several tanks | one tank per policy | all tanks on the property up to the stated total | Battery tanks and extra containers otherwise slip through. |
Insurers on the German market
Many German property insurers offer oil tank liability as a policy of its own or as an add-on to personal or property owner's liability. We include direct insurers that do not work with brokers so you know the market.
| Insurer | Background |
|---|---|
| Haftpflichtkasse | mutual insurer specialised in liability, sells through brokers |
| VHV | broker-focused insurer with a wide liability range |
| Allianz | agents and brokers |
| ERGO | agents and brokers |
| R+V | cooperative group, sells through cooperative banks |
| Zurich | agents and brokers |
| Gothaer | agents and brokers |
| InterRisk | broker insurer, part of Vienna Insurance Group |
| SV SparkassenVersicherung | public insurer in south west Germany, sells through savings banks |
| HUK-COBURG | sells through its own network, does not work with brokers |
Compare the wordings of all tariffs 13 tariffs from 13 providers, as of 24 October 2026
From the BaFin register
127
127 insurers supervised by BaFin, the German regulator, are licensed for this class of insurance.
(Allgemeine Haftpflicht)
Show all 127 names from the register
- ADAC Versicherung AG
- ADLER Versicherung AG
- AGILA Haustierversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Allcura Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- 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
- 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.
- Bayerischer Versicherungsverband Versicherungsaktiengesellschaft
- BD24 Berlin Direkt Versicherung AG
- BGV-Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Concordia Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
- 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
- ERGO Direkt Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- ERGO Reiseversicherung AG
- ERGO Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Euro-Aviation Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- EUROPA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Fahrlehrerversicherung Verein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Feuersozietät Berlin Brandenburg Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- GARANTA Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- Gemeinnützige Haftpflichtversicherungsanstalt Kassel
- Generali Deutschland Versicherung AG
- 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
- Haftpflichtgemeinschaft Deutscher Nahverkehrs- und Versorgungsunternehmen Allgemein (HDNA) VVaG
- Hamburger Feuerkasse Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- HanseMerkur Allgemeine Versicherung AG
- HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG
- 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
- 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-LOGISTIC Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- Landschaftliche Brandkasse Hannover
- LBN Versicherungsverein a.G. (VVaG)
- 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
- MVK Versicherung VVaG
- MÜNCHENER VEREIN Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
- Neodigital Versicherung AG
- Newline Europe Versicherung AG
- nexible Versicherung AG
- NV-Versicherungen VVaG
- NÜRNBERGER Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- NÜRNBERGER BEAMTEN ALLGEMEINE VERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
- OKV - Ostdeutsche Kommunalversicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Ostangler Brandgilde, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit (VVaG)
- Pallas Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- Provinzial Nord Brandkasse Aktiengesellschaft
- Provinzial Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- PVAG Polizeiversicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
- R+V Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- RheinLand Versicherungs Aktiengesellschaft
- Rhion Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- S DirektVersicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- SAARLAND Feuerversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- SHB Allgemeine Versicherung VVaG
- SIGNAL IDUNA Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- 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
- Versicherer im Raum der Kirchen Sachversicherung AG
- Versicherungskammer Bayern Versicherungsanstalt des öffentlichen Rechts
- Versicherungsverband Deutscher Eisenbahnen-Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
- Verti Versicherung AG
- VHV Allgemeine Versicherung AG
- VHV Vereinigte Hannoversche Versicherung a.G.
- VOLKSWOHL-BUND SACHVERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
- VPV Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
- Waldenburger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
- 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
Stand-alone oil tank liability
A policy for one or more tanks, priced by litres and location.
Add-on to personal liability
Includes above ground tanks up to a set capacity, often for a small surcharge. Check the limit and tank type.
Add-on to property owner's liability
For landlords and owners' associations running heating for several households.
Commercial installation cover
For businesses storing heating oil or other substances hazardous to water. Belongs in the business liability policy.
Myth or truth
True or false?
Five things people say about this insurance. Guess first, then see the answer.
If I did nothing wrong, I am not liable for leaked heating oil.
This is false.
False: under section 89 WHG the operator of an installation is liable without fault. It is enough that the oil came from your tank.
Personal liability insurance is enough for a buried tank.
This is false.
Almost never: personal liability policies include, if anything, above ground tanks up to a set capacity. Buried tanks need their own policy.
The groundwater under my land counts as water under the law.
This is true.
True: the Federal Water Act also protects groundwater. That is why a leak into the soil is already water damage in the legal sense.
Oil tank insurance is expensive.
This is false.
Not necessarily: Finanztest found policies from about 20 euros a year for an above ground 3,000 litre tank. Buried tanks and large systems cost more.
An empty, cleaned and decommissioned tank no longer needs insurance.
This is true.
True: no oil, no water damage. What counts is proof of proper decommissioning; residual oil in the tank is still a risk.
Common mistakes
- Assuming personal liability covers the tank without checking capacity and type
- Not reporting a new tank size after replacing the tank
- Letting AwSV inspection deadlines pass
- Leaving a decommissioned tank with residual oil uninsured
- Forgetting the oil tank when buying a house
- Looking only at price and leaving damage to your own land excluded
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Is oil tank liability insurance compulsory in Germany?
No, there is no legal duty to insure.
Because the operator is liable under section 89 WHG without fault and without limit,
it is still regarded as essential for any tank that personal liability does not include.
What does oil tank insurance cost?
Finanztest (issue 8/2024) found premiums from about 20 euros a year for an above ground 3,000
litre tank, with expensive policies above 90 euros.
For 10,000 litres the range was 29 to 191 euros.
Buried tanks cost more.
Does my personal liability policy cover the tank?
It depends on the policy.
Many cover only small containers,
some include above ground tanks up to roughly 3,000 to 5,000 litres.
Buried tanks are almost never included.
The policy wording decides.
Who pays if oil spills during delivery?
The supplier is liable if it made a mistake.
Towards third parties, however, you remain liable as the operator under section 89 WHG.
Your insurer settles and then recovers the money from the supplier.
Will the insurer pay for a new tank?
No.
Liability insurance pays for damage to soil, water and other people's property,
not for the installation itself.
Replacing the tank is your cost.
How often must my tank be inspected?
Under the AwSV ordinance buried tanks generally need an expert inspection every five years,
more often in water protection zones.
For above ground tanks it depends on size and location.
The lower water authority of your district gives binding answers.
Do I need to insure a decommissioned tank?
As long as it still holds oil, yes.
Only a tank that has been cleaned and properly decommissioned no longer poses a risk.
Keep the proof of decommissioning.
What changes if I switch to a heat pump?
The risk remains until the old tank is empty, cleaned and decommissioned.
Cancel the policy only then and send the insurer the proof.
Why use a broker?
Policies differ a lot in cover amount, damage to your own land and emergency costs,
while prices are close.
We also check whether your personal liability already includes the tank.
The insurer pays our fee.
NAMMERT insurance broker
Request quotes for Oil tank liability
We obtain quotes and come back with a comparison, free of charge.
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We will be in touch within one working day. If it is urgent: +49 3375 29 12 77.
Often goes with it
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