Is a garden pool covered by buildings insurance in Germany?
In short
A garden pool is covered by buildings insurance in Germany only if it is built in, usually at least half sunk into the ground, and the policy includes it. Some tariffs cover pools up to 10 percent of the sum insured at no extra cost. An above-ground pool counts as contents. A separate pool add-on usually costs about EUR 30 to 80 a year.
Published limits and values in Germany, plus guide values for the extra premium.
Example
Typical range
Tariff with swimming pools as part of the plot
up to 10 percent of the sum insured at no extra cost
Water escaping from insured pools in the same tariff
up to EUR 10,000
Built-in swimming pool, construction cost
quickly several EUR 10,000
Separate pool add-on in buildings insurance
about EUR 30 to 80 a year
Above-ground pool under contents insurance
EUR 0 extra, outside cover with limit
As of October 2026.
Limits and construction costs from published sources.
The premium for a separate pool add-on is a guide value from our quoting practice and depends on
the value of the basin; we obtain the exact quote for you.
Worked example
Detached house with a sunken concrete pool
Rebuilding value of the house EUR 450,000. The tariff includes features such as swimming pools, fences and terraces together up to 10 percent of the sum insured.
Limit for features of the plot (10 percent)
EUR 45,000
Pool with pool terrace, new value
EUR 35,000
Fence and driveway gate
EUR 8,000
Total
EUR 43,000, below the limit
In this tariff the pool is covered at no extra cost. Without such a clause, a separate pool add-on costs about EUR 30 to 80 a year as a guide value.
Built in or free-standing: that decides
German insurers treat a pool as built in if at least half of the basin sits in the ground. It can then be included in buildings insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung) and is protected against fire, storm and hail.
Free-standing pools and paddling pools count as household contents (Hausrat). In the garden they are only protected under the outside cover, which applies temporarily and is usually capped at a share of the sum insured.
Pool or part
Covered by
Note
Basin at least half in the ground
buildings
only if the policy includes swimming pools
Above-ground or paddling pool
contents
outside cover with limits
Fixed pool cover
buildings
include it with the basin
Loose cover, tarpaulin
contents
often only against a few perils
Water flows to the neighbour
private liability
damage to the neighbour, not your own pool
Pump, filter, heater
depends on tariff
ask explicitly
What buildings insurance pays for a pool
The German model terms leave it to each tariff which features of the plot are covered. So a pool is not automatically included. One published tariff covers fences, canopies, swimming pools and pool terraces together up to 10 percent of the sum insured.
Water from a pool is not on the model terms' list of mains water sources. If the basin leaks and floods the garden or basement, the mains water peril only pays if the tariff expressly includes it. The same tariff pays for water escaping from insured pools up to EUR 10,000. Heavy rain and flooding need natural hazards cover.
Gaps people discover only after a loss
Whether pump, filter, heat pump and lighting are covered differs from tariff to tariff. The same goes for power surges from lightning hitting pool equipment. Ask about this before you sign.
Wear and tear, liners leaking with age and frost damage to the basin are not covered in many tariffs. Winterising, lowering the water level and draining the pipes is up to you. If you build a pool later, report it: a basin quickly costs several tens of thousands of euros, and too low a sum insured leads to reduced payouts.
Liability around the pool
If a basin bursts and the water runs onto the neighbour's property, that is a case for private liability insurance. It pays for damage you cause to others, not for your own pool.
For guests, keep paths non-slip and equipment secure. If you let the house and pool, for example as a holiday home, check that your liability cover includes letting.
When you need nothing extra
An above-ground pool worth a few hundred euros is not worth adding to buildings insurance. It is contents, and a total loss is manageable.
If your tariff already includes swimming pools as part of the plot up to a limit and your pool is below it, you need do nothing. But add up fence, terrace and pool if the limit applies to all of them.
Step by step
Check whether the basin sits at least half in the ground.
Look for swimming pools and features of the plot in the policy terms.
Estimate the new value of basin, terrace and cover and compare it with the limit.
Ask explicitly about water escaping from the basin and about pool equipment.
Report a pool built after the policy started.
Check natural hazards cover if heavy rain or flooding is a risk.
Checklist
Swimming pool named in the policy or included as part of the plot
Limit covers pool, terrace and fence together
Water escaping from the basin covered
Fixed pool cover included
Pool equipment and power surges clarified
Above-ground pool considered in contents insurance
Common mistakes
Assuming everything in the garden automatically belongs to the house
Not reporting a new pool and being underinsured
Treating leaked pool water as mains water damage
Assuming frost and wear on the basin are covered
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Is an above-ground pool covered by buildings insurance?
No.
It counts as contents and is only protected in the garden under limited outside cover.
Do I have to report a new pool to my insurer?
It is strongly advisable.
A built-in basin raises the value,
and without reporting it your payout may be reduced for underinsurance.
Does insurance pay if the pool leaks?
Under the German model terms pool water is not mains water.
Some tariffs pay for water escaping from insured pools up to EUR 10,000.
Is the pool cover insured?
A fixed cover through buildings insurance, a loose cover through contents insurance.
Who pays if pool water damages the neighbour's property?
Your private liability insurance, because it is damage to someone else.
How much does it cost to add a pool?
Nothing in some tariffs, because pools are included up to a limit.
Otherwise about EUR 30 to 80 a year as a guide value.
