All about this insurance: Contents insurance
Do I need contents insurance as a renter in Germany?
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How much does contents insurance cost in Germany?
In short
For a flat of 75 to 80 square metres you usually pay EUR 25 to 120 a year for contents insurance (Hausratversicherung). The price depends mainly on where you live, the sum insured and the add-ons you choose. Make sure gross negligence and bike theft are included, even if that costs a few euros more.
What it costs
Guide figures from published tariff examples, without bike cover.
| Example | Typical range |
|---|---|
| 80 square metres in Dresden | about EUR 23 to 25 a year |
| 80 square metres in Düsseldorf | about EUR 51 to 54 a year |
| 75 square metres, mid tariff zone, sum insured EUR 49,000 | about EUR 90 to 120 a year |
| Basic tariff without add-ons | from about EUR 50 to 80 a year |
Guide values as of September 2026 from publicly quoted tariff examples. Your premium depends on your address and the cover you choose; we obtain the exact quote for you.
Worked example
Couple, 75 square metres, mid-sized city
This is how the premium adds up when the sum insured follows the rule of thumb.
| Living space | 75 m² |
| Sum insured (75 × EUR 650) | EUR 48,750 |
| Basic cover including gross negligence | about EUR 90 to 120 |
| Bike cover up to EUR 1,000 | about EUR 20 to 40 |
Together about EUR 110 to 160 a year, roughly EUR 9 to 13 a month.
What drives the price
German insurers divide the country into tariff zones based on local burglary figures. The same flat can cost around EUR 23 a year in Dresden and over EUR 50 in Düsseldorf.
On top of that come the sum insured, which is the cost of buying all your belongings new, your deductible (Selbstbeteiligung) and add-ons such as bike theft, glass or natural hazards.
| Factor | Effect on the premium |
|---|---|
| Address and tariff zone | strong, up to double |
| Sum insured | direct, every square metre counts |
| Deductible of EUR 150 | often saves 10 to 20 percent |
| Bike theft around the clock | noticeably more, depending on the bike's value |
| Natural hazards (Elementarschaden) | small in safe areas, high near rivers |
What is different if you come from abroad
If you know renters insurance from the US, note that Germany splits things up. Contents insurance covers your belongings, while damage you cause to other people is a separate policy, personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung). The building itself is insured by your landlord.
German contents insurance pays what it costs to buy items of the same kind and quality new (Neuwert), not what your used sofa would sell for. Policy terms and claim letters are usually in German, and the German wording is what counts in a claim.
Choosing the right sum insured
If you insure at least EUR 650 per square metre, many insurers agree not to cut your payout for underinsurance (Unterversicherungsverzicht).
If you shipped expensive furniture, electronics or jewellery from home, do your own sum: what would it cost to buy all of it again in Germany?
Where saving becomes expensive
Cheap tariffs often leave out gross negligence (grobe Fahrlässigkeit). Then the insurer may pay less if a candle burned unattended or a window was left tilted open.
Power surges from lightning and theft from a car are also missing from many basic tariffs.
Step by step
- Check your living space in the rental contract and multiply it by EUR 650.
- Consider whether bikes, jewellery or electronics are worth more than usual.
- Treat gross negligence and power surge cover as must-haves.
- Think about a deductible: EUR 150 lowers the premium noticeably.
- Compare quotes from several insurers with the same cover.
Checklist
- Sum insured at least EUR 650 per square metre
- Gross negligence fully covered
- Power surges from lightning included
- Bike cover around the clock if you park outside
- Natural hazards if you live near a river or on a slope
Common mistakes
- Choosing only by the lowest price and missing gaps in cover
- Assuming your landlord's insurance pays for your belongings
- Not adjusting the sum insured after moving to a bigger flat
- Not declaring valuables above the limit for jewellery and cash
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
How much is contents insurance per month?
For an average flat usually between EUR 2 and 13, depending on your address and add-ons.
Is it worth it for a small flat?
Yes, if you could not easily replace your furniture, clothes and electronics yourself. For a small flat it often costs less than EUR 50 a year.
Can I get a policy in English?
Some insurers offer English documents or service, many do not. The German terms apply in a claim, so ask us when a clause is unclear.
Can I deduct it from my taxes?
For private use usually not. A share may be deductible for a home office, ask a tax adviser.
Is a deductible worth it?
Often yes: it lowers the premium, and many people do not report small losses anyway.
Sources
NAMMERT insurance broker
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NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act, broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. For boat and yacht insurance we act as underwriting agency, not as broker. Statutory disclosure (German) · Updated