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Does contents insurance pay for spoiled food after a power cut?

In short

Does contents insurance pay for spoiled food after a power cut? Often yes, but not in every tariff. In Germany it pays only if chilled and frozen food is named in your policy; simple and older contracts often leave it out. Where it is included, the limit is usually EUR 500 to 2,500 per claim. If the grid operator caused the outage, it is liable for property damage up to EUR 5,000 as a rule.

Does contents insurance pay for spoiled food after a power cut?

What it costs

Limits in tariffs and statutory liability, from policy terms, the ordinance and the consumer test.

ExampleTypical range
Flat limit for chilled and frozen food in contents tariffsabout EUR 500 to 2,500 per claim
Grid operator liability for property damage without gross negligenceup to EUR 5,000 per connection user
Loss below EUR 30, grid operator not grossly negligentEUR 0
Contents of a well filled chest freezerabout EUR 200 to 600

As of November 2026.

The value of a filled chest freezer is a guide value from our quoting practice,

as is the observation that older contracts are often below EUR 500.

The surcharge for the add-on differs between insurers and is not stated here.

Your limit is in your policy documents; we obtain the exact quote for you.

Worked example

Two day power cut, full chest freezer

This is how the claim works out if your tariff covers chilled food up to EUR 500.

Spoiled contents at purchase value (assumed)EUR 420
Limit for chilled food in the tariffEUR 500
Payment from contents insuranceEUR 420, less any agreed excess

The loss is below the limit and is paid. Without chilled food in the policy, only the grid operator remains, and it pays only if it caused the outage.

When contents insurance replaces your food

Food counts as household contents (Hausrat). A power cut, however, is not one of the basic perils such as fire, burst pipes, storm or burglary. Whether spoiled chilled and frozen food is covered must therefore be stated in the policy.

Newer, comprehensive tariffs usually include it after a public power cut, the consumer testing body Stiftung Warentest reported in January 2026. Simple and older contracts often restrict it or leave it out. It can usually be added as an extra or by switching to a better tariff.

CauseContents insuranceOther party
Public grid failsif chilled food is in the policygrid operator, if at fault
Fuse in your own home tripsdepends on the tariffnone
Freezer compressor breaksdepends on the tariff, sometimes not at allseller under the statutory warranty
Plug pulled by mistakeusually notnone
Meltwater damages kitchen furniturenot through contents insuranceanother policy, depending on the case

Which limits apply

For chilled and frozen food, tariffs usually set their own flat limit within the sum insured, often between EUR 500 and 2,500 per claim. Older contracts are often lower.

That is enough for most households. If you fill a large chest freezer with meat from a farm, game or your own harvest, compare the limit with what is inside.

When the grid operator pays

If the fault lies in the grid, the operator is liable under section 18 of the German low voltage connection ordinance (NAV). It is liable only if at fault, but for property damage fault is presumed. Without intent or gross negligence, liability is capped at EUR 5,000 per connection user, and losses under EUR 30 are not paid.

Report the damage to the grid operator without delay. The operator's name is on your electricity bill or on its website for your area.

When you do not need the add-on

If you only have a small fridge with a freezer compartment, the possible loss is small. An extra premium is hardly worth it, especially as the grid operator is liable anyway if it is at fault.

Check instead whether your tariff covers surge damage from lightning and gross negligence. These gaps usually cost far more when something happens.

Step by step

  1. Keep freezer and fridge closed while the power is off.
  2. Photograph spoiled food before you throw it away.
  3. Make a list with type, quantity and approximate purchase value.
  4. Report the loss without delay to your contents insurer and the grid operator.
  5. Collect receipts or bank statements where you have them.

Checklist

  • Chilled and frozen food named in the policy
  • Limit fits the contents of your freezer
  • Clear whether only grid failures or also fuses and appliance faults count
  • Photos and list made before disposal
  • Grid operator informed about the outage

Common mistakes

  • Throwing food away before photographing it
  • Assuming every contents policy pays after a power cut
  • Reporting the loss to the grid operator too late
  • Keeping a large freezer insured with a low old limit

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Does contents insurance pay if only the fuse in my flat tripped?

That depends on the tariff.

Some terms require a failure of the public grid, others also include faults inside your home.

Does the insurer pay if my freezer breaks down?

An appliance fault is a separate cause and not covered in every tariff.

For the freezer itself, the seller's statutory warranty may apply.

Do I have to report the loss to the grid operator?

Yes, without delay, as section 18 NAV requires.

The rule does not set a fixed number of days.

What does the grid operator pay after a short outage?

Only if it caused the outage.

Without intent or gross negligence it does not pay losses under EUR 30.

Will I get money without receipts?

Often yes; the insurer then estimates the value.

Photos and an exact list help, and without proof the payment is usually lower.

I rent my flat. Does my landlord's insurance pay?

No.

Your food is your own contents,

so only your contents insurance or the grid operator can pay for it.

Sources

NAMMERT insurance broker

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