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Does contents insurance cover power surges from lightning in Germany?

In short

Yes, if power surge from lightning (Überspannung durch Blitz) is in your policy. Newer tariffs almost always include it, older ones often only up to a limit, such as 5 percent of the sum insured. A lightning claim cost German insurers about EUR 1,760 on average in 2025. Surges without a thunderstorm, for example from the grid, are usually not covered.

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Does contents insurance cover power surges from lightning in Germany?

What it costs

Figures on lightning claims and on protection at home, from published statistics and trade prices.

Example	Typical range
Average lightning and surge claim in Germany 2025	about EUR 1,760 per claim
Limit in older policies with a sum insured of EUR 50,000	about EUR 2,500 at 5 percent
Type 1 and 2 surge protection in the meter cabinet, installed	about EUR 300 to 500
More complex installation with several sub-distribution boards	about EUR 600 to 1,600
Extra charge for surge cover in a new contents policy	usually EUR 0, as it is already included

As of September 2026. The extra charge of usually EUR 0 in new policies is a guide value from our quoting practice. Your limit is in your policy documents; we are happy to check it.

Worked example

Thunderstorm in July, flat with a home office

Lightning hits a power pole in the street. Next morning several devices are dead. Sum insured EUR 50,000.

TV, 2 years old, new price today	EUR 1,100
Laptop	EUR 1,300
Router and printer	EUR 400
Total damage	EUR 2,800
Old policy with 5 percent limit	EUR 2,500
New policy without that limit	EUR 2,800, minus any agreed deductible

With the old policy you pay EUR 300 yourself, without any surge cover the full EUR 2,800.

Direct strike or power surge

If lightning hits your building and starts a fire, that is a classic lightning claim. Basic contents cover pays for it.

Far more often, lightning strikes somewhere nearby, such as a power line. The surge travels through the cables into your flat and destroys your TV, router or computer. That is a power surge (Überspannung), and it needs its own mention in the policy.

What happens	Who pays
Lightning hits the house, living room burns	contents insurance, basic cover, for your belongings
Lightning nearby, TV and router broken	contents insurance only with surge cover
Heating control or heat pump broken after a storm	buildings insurance, if surge is included
Grid failure, device broken, no storm	usually not contents insurance, possibly the grid operator
Device old and worn out anyway	nobody, wear and tear is not insured

Where the limits are

Older policies often cover surges only up to a share of the sum insured, frequently about 5 percent. With a sum of EUR 50,000 that is EUR 2,500. A living room with a large TV, games console and speakers can go above that.

Newer tariffs often pay up to the full sum insured and at replacement value (Neuwert), meaning what an equivalent new device costs today. If your policy was signed years ago in a previous flat, it is worth checking.

Proof is the real hurdle

The insurer wants to know that lightning really caused the damage. A lightning information service can confirm a storm at your address at the right time. Add a short note from an electrician or repair shop that the fault is typical of a surge.

Keep broken devices until the insurer has agreed. Letters about the claim will usually be in German; ask us if you are unsure what is being requested.

When you do not need extra cover

If your policy was taken out or updated in recent years, surge cover is very likely included. Then an add-on brings nothing, only check the limit.

If you own few electronics, the risk without surge cover is small. Full cover pays off with a home office, expensive entertainment electronics and houses in the countryside with overhead lines.

Step by step

Unplug devices and do not switch them on again if you smell burning.
Photograph broken devices and keep them.
Report the claim to the insurer straight away, with date and time of the storm.
Get an electrician or dealer to confirm that a surge caused the damage.
Find receipts or bank statements for the devices.
Tell your landlord about damage to built-in technology such as the heating.

Checklist

Surge from lightning is named in your policy
Surge limit is high enough for your electronics
Replacement at new value agreed
Landlord or owner has buildings cover for fixed technology
Receipts for expensive devices saved digitally

Common mistakes

Throwing away the broken device right after the storm
Assuming every power cut is an insured lightning claim
Never checking an old policy with a low limit
Relying only on a power strip with surge protection

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Does contents insurance pay if lightning did not hit my building?

Yes, if surge from lightning is included. That is the most common case: the strike is nearby and the surge arrives through the cables.

Do I have to pay for an expert report?

Usually a short note from an electrician or dealer is enough. If the insurer wants its own expert, it normally pays for it.

What if devices break after a power cut without a storm?

Most contents policies do not cover that. If the fault came from the grid, the grid operator may be liable. Report it to them in writing and quickly.

As a tenant, who pays for the broken heating control?

It belongs to the building, so your landlord's buildings insurance. Your contents insurance only pays for your own belongings.

Can I install surge protection myself?

Not in the meter cabinet. That work must be done by a registered electrician. As a tenant, ask your landlord first.

Does it pay new value or current value?

Usually new value: what an equivalent new device costs today. Limits and deductibles are subtracted.

Sources

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