Does insurance pay for a broken ceramic hob in Germany?
In short
Only if you have glass insurance. In Germany, contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) does not pay for a broken ceramic hob (Ceranfeld) when a pan falls on it, only after fire, burst pipes or other insured perils. The glass add on costs about EUR 20 to 80 a year depending on the tariff; a new hob including fitting costs around EUR 200 to 500.
Costs from published examples by insurers and guides, as of October 2026.
Example
Typical range
New ceramic hob with fitting
around EUR 200 to 300
Ceramic hob including new electronics
around EUR 400 to 500
Branded hob with installation, claim example
around EUR 1,200
Glass insurance in general
about EUR 20 to 80 a year
Figures from published examples, October 2026.
Whether your hob is covered is listed in the glass section of your policy.
We obtain your exact quote.
Worked example
Cast iron pan slips onto the induction hob
Rented flat with the landlord's fitted kitchen, the induction hob has a long crack. The electronics must be replaced too.
New hob with electronics and fitting
about EUR 500
Contents insurance without glass
EUR 0
Personal liability, glass excluded
EUR 0
With glass add on for about EUR 20 to 80 a year
costs reimbursed
Without glass cover you pay around EUR 500 yourself. With it, the insurer pays, and several years of premium cost less than one claim.
Which insurance pays for a broken ceramic hob
A ceramic hob is a glass ceramic plate. If it cracks because a heavy pan or a bottle falls on it, normal contents insurance in Germany does not pay. It only covers glass breakage caused by an insured peril, such as a kitchen fire.
For the accident itself you need glass insurance (Glasversicherung). It is usually added to contents insurance and names glass ceramic and induction hobs explicitly.
Situation
Contents without glass
With glass insurance
Personal liability
Pan falls on your own hob
no
yes
no
Hob cracks in a kitchen fire
yes
yes
no
You break a friend's hob
no
no
yes, usually at current value
Scratches without a crack
no
no
no
Tenant, the hob belongs to the landlord
no
yes
often no, glass frequently excluded
Tenants with a fitted kitchen
Many rented flats in Germany come with a fitted kitchen (Einbauküche) owned by the landlord. If you break the ceramic hob, you generally have to replace it. Personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) often does not help, because many tariffs exclude glass and built in appliances in rented property.
Glass insurance on your contents policy usually also pays for the landlord's hob. Ask when you sign up whether this is clearly stated.
What a replacement costs
A new standard ceramic hob including fitting costs around EUR 200 to 300. If the electronics must be replaced too, expect EUR 400 to 500, and over EUR 1,000 for branded hobs with installation.
Replacing only the glass plate is rarely possible with modern hobs. Good glass insurance therefore also pays for the electronics if the plate cannot be changed on its own.
Right after the crack
Do not keep cooking on a cracked ceramic hob. Water can get into the electronics through the crack, with a risk of short circuit or electric shock. Switch off the fuse and take photos.
Do not replace the hob yourself. It runs on high voltage and needs an electrician; you need the invoice for the insurer anyway.
When glass insurance is not worth it
If you cook on gas and have few large mirrors or glass tables, glass insurance does little for you. The same applies if you could easily pay EUR 200 for a new ceramic hob yourself.
It is worth considering for an expensive induction hob, glass doors, large mirrors or as a tenant with a high quality fitted kitchen owned by the landlord.
Step by step
Switch off the fuse and stop cooking.
Take photos and note how it happened.
Check your policy for glass and hob cover.
Report the claim to your insurer without delay, as a tenant also to your landlord.
Get a quote from a specialist and only replace after approval.
Checklist
Glass cover in your contents policy
Glass ceramic and induction hobs named explicitly
Electronics covered if the plate cannot be swapped alone
As a tenant: the landlord's hob is covered
Excess known
Common mistakes
Cooking on a cracked hob
Removing and connecting the hob yourself
Assuming contents insurance pays for any glass breakage
Relying on personal liability as a tenant without checking the glass clause
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does contents insurance pay for a broken ceramic hob?
Only for insured perils such as fire or water from pipes.
For a dropped pan you need glass cover.
Does liability insurance pay if I break the hob in my rented flat?
Often not, because many tariffs exclude glass and built in appliances in rented property.
Check your terms.
Are scratches covered?
No.
Scratches and chips without a crack are not covered, even with glass insurance.
Can I just replace the glass plate?
With modern hobs usually not.
Good glass tariffs then pay for the whole hob including electronics.
Can I take out glass insurance after the damage?
Not for damage that has already happened.
It only covers damage after the start of the policy.
