Does building insurance in Germany pay for burglary damage to doors and windows?
In short
No, building insurance in Germany usually does not pay for burglary damage to doors and windows, because burglary is not one of its perils. Contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) pays these repairs as building damage, for tenants and owners alike. In 2025 a burglary cost EUR 3,850 on average. Check whether your contents policy caps this item.
Published averages for burglaries in Germany and typical repair costs.
Example
Typical range
Average insured burglary claim 2025
EUR 3,850
New lock cylinder including fitting
about EUR 60 to 200
Repairing fittings and frame of a forced window
about EUR 300 to 900
Replacing a front door with security fittings
about EUR 2,000 to 5,000
Average claim from the German Insurance Association, as of October 2026.
Repair costs are guide values from our quoting practice and depend on design and security class.
Worked example
Family house, burglary through the patio door
The burglars force the patio door, steal a laptop and jewellery and damage the front door lock on the way out.
Repair patio door
about EUR 900, contents
New front door lock
about EUR 150, contents
Laptop and jewellery
replacement value, contents
Building insurance
not responsible
Everything goes through contents insurance. Without it, the owner pays door and lock personally.
Why building insurance does not pay for burglary
German building insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung) protects the house against a fixed list of perils. Under A 1 of the GDV model conditions VGB 2022 these are fire, lightning, explosion and similar events, mains water, storm and hail and, if agreed, further natural hazards. Burglary is not on the list.
A forced front door or a smashed window is therefore not a building insurance claim, even though door and window are part of the building. Many owners are surprised, but that is how the two policies are designed.
Contents insurance pays burglary damage to doors and windows
The model contents conditions list repair costs for building damage within the home in A 13.2.7. The condition is that the damage was caused by burglary, robbery or an attempt. Vandalism inside the home after a break in is included as well.
This applies to tenants, whose door actually belongs to the landlord, and to owners in their own house. On top come lock replacement costs if keys were lost in the burglary, and costs for emergency measures such as boarding up a window.
Damage after burglary
Which policy
Note
Forced flat or front door
contents
repair costs for building damage
Smashed window
contents, possibly glass insurance
glass often also via a glass add on
New locks after stolen keys
contents
lock replacement costs
Temporary securing until repair
contents
costs for provisional measures
Damaged door with no signs of break in
none
no burglary, no claim
Attempted burglary: covered even with nothing stolen
Many burglars fail at the door but leave pry marks and a bent frame. This damage also falls under repair costs, because the model conditions expressly include attempts. Report the attempt to the police, otherwise you lack proof.
In a block of owner occupied flats, the flat door often belongs to the common property. Whether your contents policy or the owners' association pays depends on the declaration of division and on the association's own cover. Tell the property manager as well.
Caps and gaps in contents policies
Some policies cap repair costs for building damage at a fixed amount or a percentage of the sum insured. With a burglar resistant door and special fittings, a low cap is quickly reached. Read the cost items in your conditions.
If you own a house and have no contents insurance, you pay for door and window yourself after a burglary. Building insurance will not help. Contents insurance for a house usually costs less than repairing a good front door.
When building insurance is involved after all
If a burglar starts a fire or turns on taps, fire or water damage to the building follows. These consequences are covered by building insurance, because fire and mains water are insured perils regardless of who caused them.
Some building policies offer vandalism after burglary as an add on. Without it, door, window and lock go through contents insurance.
Step by step
Call the police immediately and report the burglary.
Do not tidy up, photograph the damage.
Report to your contents insurer, not the building insurer.
Have door or window secured and keep the invoice.
Send the list of stolen items to police and insurer.
In a block of flats, inform the property manager too.
Checklist
Contents insurance in place, also in your own house
Cap for building damage in the policy known
Lock replacement costs included
Glass covered by contents or a glass add on
Police report with reference number
Common mistakes
Reporting burglary damage to the building insurer and waiting
Not reporting an attempted burglary
Owning a house without contents insurance
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Who pays the broken door after a burglary in a rented flat?
Your contents insurance, as repair costs for building damage,
even though the door belongs to your landlord.
Does insurance pay if nothing was stolen?
Yes, attempts are included in the model conditions.
You need a police report.
Is the window covered by glass insurance?
The pane may be covered by glass insurance,
frame and fittings after burglary by contents insurance.
The conditions say which comes first.
Does building insurance cover vandalism?
Not under the model conditions.
Some policies offer vandalism after burglary as an add on.
Do I have to fit a new door straight away?
Secure the opening at once.
Agree the final repair with your insurer unless it is urgent.
