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Refrigerated stock insurance in Germany: covering spoilage when the cooling fails

A compressor that stops overnight can ruin a cold room full of meat, seafood or medicines without any fire or flood. Standard German business contents insurance does not pay for that. Spoilage cover, called Kühlgutversicherung in German, pays for goods that spoil because the refrigeration plant or the power supply fails. In Germany it is almost always added as a clause or module to the business contents policy rather than sold on its own, so it is easy to assume you have it when you do not.

The question almost everyone asks first

Doesn't my German contents policy already cover spoiled stock?

Usually not. Business contents insurance in Germany pays for named perils such as fire, burst pipes, storm and burglary. Food that spoils because the cooling fails has not suffered any of these, so without a specific refrigerated stock clause the loss stays with you. Some hospitality packages include a small amount. Check the policy schedule for the word Kühlgut and the limit next to it.

Why the contents policy stays silent

German property policies list the perils they cover. A freezer that breaks down is neither a fire nor water damage, and the stock inside looks intact, it just cannot be sold any more. Refrigerated stock clauses close that gap by naming spoilage caused by a technical fault of the plant or a loss of power.

The cooling equipment itself is not part of this cover. Repairing the compressor belongs to machinery or electronic equipment insurance, and lost revenue to business interruption insurance. A complete solution combines all three.

Setting the sum insured

Base the sum on the highest value of goods held in cold storage at any one time, not on the average. Stock peaks before holidays, events or promotions. Many German clauses insure refrigerated stock on a first loss basis, meaning up to a fixed amount without an underinsurance check, so the limit you choose is the most you will receive.

For pharmacies and laboratories the value per fridge matters more than the volume. One unit holding vaccines, biologics or reagents can be worth more than an entire restaurant cold room.

Temperature monitoring and maintenance

EU rules require frozen food to be kept at minus 18 degrees Celsius or colder throughout, and many medicines are stored between 2 and 8 degrees. Insurers often make a temperature alarm a condition for larger sums. If it is in the policy, it must be switched on and working.

Have the plant serviced by a refrigeration contractor and keep the records. After a loss, service reports and temperature logs are the first documents the insurer will ask for.

What is covered

  • Spoilage caused by breakdown or failure of the cooling or freezing plant
  • Spoilage caused by a public power outage, often after a minimum duration
  • Refrigerant leaks, where included
  • Food, drinks, medicines and laboratory samples in cold storage
  • Clean up and disposal costs, where agreed
  • Goods in cold rooms, display fridges, refrigerators and chest freezers at the insured premises

What is not covered

  • Repair or replacement of the cooling plant itself
  • Lost revenue and profit during the outage
  • Disconnection by the utility for unpaid bills or after advance notice
  • Goods that spoil because they are past their shelf life or stored incorrectly
  • Spoilage without a provable failure of the cooling
  • The agreed deductible

Who needs it

  • Restaurants, hotels, canteens and caterers with cold rooms
  • Food retailers, butchers, bakeries and ice cream parlours
  • Pharmacies holding vaccines and refrigerated medicines
  • Medical practices, laboratories and research facilities
  • Florists and other businesses storing perishable goods under refrigeration

Who does not need it

  • Businesses with little or no refrigerated stock
  • Businesses whose sector package already includes refrigerated stock at a sufficient limit

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. Compressor fails over the weekend, the contents of the cold room, often four to five figures. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. The core case. The insurer pays the value of the spoiled goods up to the sum insured, minus the deductible.
  2. Power cut across the district, all refrigerated stock. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Only covered if the clause includes public power outages, often after a minimum duration.
  3. Temp pulls the wrong plug, the contents of one freezer. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Basic clauses exclude operating errors, strong ones include them expressly.
  4. Slow refrigerant leak, goods plus disposal. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. A leak is a technical defect, but not every wording names it. Strong policies include it.
  5. Utility cuts the supply, all refrigerated stock. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Disconnection for unpaid bills or an announced shutdown is not an accident. No policy pays for it.
  6. Kitchen closed for three days, the lost revenue. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Spoilage cover pays for the goods, not the takings. That needs business interruption insurance.

What it costs

The premium depends on the sum insured for refrigerated goods, the type of goods and the condition of the equipment. Because these vary so widely from one business to the next, we do not quote sample amounts.

What drives the premium

  • Sum insured for goods in cold storage
  • Type of goods: food, medicines, laboratory samples
  • Number, age and maintenance of the cooling units
  • Temperature alarm and backup power
  • Deductible and minimum outage duration
  • Claims in recent years

The premium is only fixed in the quote, once the insurer knows the equipment, the sum and your sector.

The policy levels on the market

01

Included in a sector package

Some German packages for hospitality and retail include refrigerated stock up to a small limit. Often enough for businesses with little cold storage, as long as you know the limit.

02

Refrigerated stock clause

Own sum on a first loss basis, plant breakdown and public power outage included, deductible to choose. The standard for restaurants, butchers and pharmacies.

03

Stand alone cover for large stocks

For cold stores, central kitchens and laboratories: high sums, requirements for alarms and backup power, often combined with machinery and business interruption cover.

How to recognise a good policy

CriterionMinimum standardStrong policyWhy it matters
Public power outage excluded included with a short minimum duration Grid failures are a frequent cause of spoilage.
Sum insured small flat amount in a package own sum based on peak stock Before holidays the stock in cold storage can be several times the average.
Refrigerant leak not mentioned expressly included A leak in the circuit is a typical cause of a slow temperature rise.
Operating error excluded included, for example an unplugged unit Not every outage is a technical defect.
Alarm and maintenance conditions strict and vague clear and achievable Breaching a policy condition can cost you the whole claim.
Disposal costs not covered covered Spoiled animal products must be disposed of professionally.
Deductible high per claim low or selectable Small outages are more frequent than large ones.

Insurers on the German market

In Germany refrigerated stock is mainly written by insurers that also offer business contents insurance, usually as a clause or module. This is a market overview, not a ranking and not a statement about who we work with. What is covered in a given case is set out in the policy wording.

InsurerBackground
R+Vrefrigerated stock as a section of its commercial property wording
die Bayerischeclause for chilled and frozen goods added to contents insurance
Allianzhospitality package with food in refrigerators covered to a limited extent
Württembergischesector package for hospitality, hotels and food retail including spoilage of chilled goods after a power failure
Gothaerbusiness contents insurance for small and mid sized firms; whether refrigerated stock is included is set out in the wording
HDIbusiness contents insurance; scope for refrigerated stock to be checked in the wording

Compare the wordings of all tariffs Refrigerated stock 2 tariffs from 2 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

Refrigerated stock clause

Extends business contents insurance to spoilage after a cooling failure. The usual solution for hospitality and retail.

Machinery insurance for the cooling plant

Pays to repair or replace compressors, evaporators and controls after a breakdown. Complements spoilage cover, does not replace it.

Business interruption

Pays the lost gross profit when the business has to close or scale down after an insured loss.

Electronic equipment insurance

For controls, temperature monitoring and point of sale systems that fail through surge or defect.

Myth or truth

True or false?

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

German contents insurance pays for spoiled food after a cooling failure anyway.

This is false.

False. It pays for fire, water, storm and burglary. Spoilage after a cooling failure needs a dedicated clause.

A public power outage can be covered.

This is true.

Yes, if the clause includes it. A minimum duration often applies and announced shutdowns are excluded.

The insurer pays the menu or shelf price of the spoiled goods.

This is false.

Usually not. It pays the replacement or production cost. Lost profit is a business interruption matter.

Spoilage cover also pays for a new compressor.

This is false.

No. The equipment itself falls under machinery or electronic equipment insurance.

A temperature alarm can be a condition of cover.

This is true.

True. For larger sums insurers often require monitoring with an alarm, and it must then actually work.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the contents policy pays for spoilage after a cooling failure
  • Setting the sum on average stock instead of peak stock
  • Switching off the temperature alarm even though the policy requires it
  • Not keeping service records and temperature logs
  • Throwing spoiled goods away before the loss is documented
  • Insuring the stock but forgetting the plant and lost revenue

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

What is refrigerated stock insurance?

It pays the value of goods that spoil because the cooling or freezing plant fails or the power

goes off.

In Germany it is usually a clause in business contents insurance, less often a separate policy.

Is a power cut in the whole neighbourhood covered?

Yes, if the clause includes public power outages.

Many require a minimum duration.

Announced shutdowns and disconnections for unpaid bills are generally excluded.

Will I get the sale price of the goods?

Usually not.

The insurer pays what it costs to replace or produce the goods.

Lost profit belongs to business interruption insurance.

Is the broken cooling unit covered?

No.

Repair or replacement of the plant is a matter for machinery or electronic equipment insurance.

This cover is for the goods only.

What should I do after a loss?

Report it at once, photograph the goods and list quantities and purchase prices.

Keep the temperature log and the refrigeration engineer's invoice.

Dispose of spoiled goods only after speaking to the insurer, as far as hygiene rules allow.

Do pharmacies need a special solution?

Often yes, because vaccines and refrigerated medicines are worth a lot in a small space and

tolerances are tight.

Set the sum on the highest stock in the fridge and use monitoring with an alarm.

Does a backup generator matter?

It reduces the risk and may be reflected in the premium for larger sums.

If the policy requires it, it must be tested regularly.

Can you advise in English?

Yes.

We explain the German wording in English,

obtain quotes from several insurers and compare the clauses on power cuts,

minimum duration and conditions.

The insurer pays our commission.

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