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Is a deductible worth it for buildings insurance in Germany?

In short

Usually yes, if you could pay a repair bill of EUR 500 to 1,000 without trouble. A deductible (Selbstbeteiligung) of EUR 500 often cuts the premium by 10 to 20 percent, so EUR 40 to 80 a year on a EUR 400 policy. Skip it if you have little savings or an older house that has frequent small claims, such as leaking pipes.

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Is a deductible worth it for buildings insurance in Germany?

What it costs

Published examples for detached houses, yearly premium without and with a deductible.

Example	Typical range
Premium EUR 420, deductible EUR 500	about EUR 380, roughly EUR 40 less
Premium EUR 420, deductible EUR 1,000	about EUR 340, roughly EUR 80 less
Premium EUR 440, deductible EUR 500	about EUR 390, roughly EUR 50 less
Premium EUR 400, deductible EUR 500	about EUR 320, roughly 20 percent less
Premium EUR 450, deductible EUR 1,000	about EUR 405, roughly 10 percent less

Guide values as of September 2026 from publicly quoted examples. When a deductible pays off is a guide value from our quoting practice. Your discount depends on the tariff; we obtain the exact quote for you.

Worked example

Detached house, premium EUR 450, ten years

This is how it works out if one burst pipe causing EUR 3,000 of damage happens in those ten years.

Saving with a EUR 500 deductible	about EUR 50 to 80 a year
Saving over ten years	about EUR 500 to 800
Your share of the claim	EUR 500
Insurer pays	EUR 2,500

You end up about EUR 0 to 300 ahead. With a second claim the policy without a deductible would have been cheaper.

How the deductible works

You agree a fixed amount that you pay yourself on every claim, and the insurer pays the rest. After a storm causing EUR 5,000 of damage with a EUR 500 deductible, you receive EUR 4,500.

Small losses below the deductible you simply do not report. That saves the insurer handling costs, which is why it gives you a discount.

Deductible	Typical effect	Suits you if
none	full premium	savings are tight or the house is prone to damage
EUR 500	often 10 to 20 percent cheaper	you can pay small repairs out of pocket
EUR 1,000	10 to 20 percent cheaper in published examples	you have reserves and only want cover for big losses
percentage, 10 percent	your share grows with the loss	common only for natural hazards, avoid it in the main policy

What is different if you come from abroad

If you know homeowners insurance from the US or the UK, the idea of an excess or deductible will be familiar. In Germany it is often optional: many policies have none by default, and you choose one to lower the premium.

German insurers can cancel a policy after a claim, and a new insurer will ask about claims in recent years. Paying small repairs yourself keeps your claims record clean, which matters more here than many newcomers expect.

When it pays off

Be honest with the numbers. If the deductible saves EUR 50 a year, you are EUR 500 ahead after ten claim free years. One claim in that time roughly breaks even, two mean you lose.

Divide the deductible by the yearly saving and you see how many years it takes to come out ahead.

When you are better off without one

Older houses with old water pipes have more leaks. You may end up paying the deductible several times, and the saving is gone quickly.

And if an unexpected bill of EUR 1,000 would really hurt, the lower premium is a false economy. Insurance should take pressure off you, not add it.

The special rule for natural hazards

For flooding, heavy rain and sewage backflow (Elementarschaden) there is often a separate share, commonly 10 percent of the loss, at least EUR 500 and at most EUR 5,000. Depending on the tariff it applies on top of your normal deductible or replaces it.

Check this before you sign. With a flooded basement costing EUR 30,000, 10 percent is already EUR 3,000.

Step by step

Check your savings: could you pay EUR 500 or 1,000 right away?
Estimate the age of the roof, pipes and heating.
Get quotes with and without a deductible for the same cover.
Divide the deductible by the yearly saving to see the break even point.
Look at the natural hazards share separately.

Checklist

Fixed amount rather than a percentage in the main policy
Aware that the deductible applies per claim, not per year
Natural hazards rule known and affordable
Savings for at least one claim available
Saving shown in euros in the quote

Common mistakes

Choosing the highest deductible only because the premium drops most
Forgetting that the deductible applies again on every claim
Not counting the percentage share for natural hazards
Taking a deductible on an old house with frequent pipe leaks

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

How high should the deductible be?

EUR 500 suits most homeowners. EUR 1,000 is worth it if you have good savings and the discount is clearly bigger.

Does the deductible apply to every claim?

Yes. Two claims in one year cost you the deductible twice.

Can I change it later?

Usually yes, at the renewal date or on request. The insurer then recalculates the premium.

Should I report damage below the deductible?

The insurer would pay nothing. Report damage that can grow, such as a burst pipe, straight away anyway.

Is there a deductible for flood damage too?

Almost always. Often 10 percent of the loss, at least EUR 500 and at most EUR 5,000.

Does my mortgage bank object to a deductible?

Usually not. The bank mainly wants the house insured at full value. Ask if you are unsure.

Sources

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