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Is a garden shed covered by buildings insurance in Germany?

In short

Often yes, if the garden shed is firmly fixed to the ground and stands on the same plot as your house, but only up to a floor area limit. One policy in Germany covers outbuildings up to 15 square metres, its better tariff up to 30. Larger sheds must be reported to be covered by your buildings insurance, and the contents belong to your contents insurance.

Is a garden shed covered by buildings insurance in Germany?

What it costs

What a garden shed costs in your insurance in Germany, based on published terms and tests, as of 2026.

ExampleTypical range
Garden shed within the tariff's floor area limitEUR 0 extra
Allotment hut policy, good tariffs (test 2025)about EUR 100 to 156 a year
Expensive allotment tariffs in the same testalmost three times as much, around EUR 300 a year
Shed of 24 m² with power, replacement value EUR 18,000, added to the house policyabout EUR 15 to 40 a year more

The floor area limits and allotment prices come from the sources listed.

The extra premium for a reported shed is a guide value from our quoting practice (Richtwert aus

der Angebotspraxis), derived from its share of the sum insured; we obtain the exact quote.

Worked example

Detached house with a new garden shed

A couple builds a 24 m² garden shed on a concrete slab, with power and insulation. A 6 m² tool shed already stands on the plot. The tariff includes outbuildings up to 15 m².

Outbuildings together30 m²
Limit in the tariff15 m²
Replacement value of the shedEUR 18,000
Extra premium once reportedabout EUR 15 to 40 a year

Without reporting it, the shed would not be covered. Reported, it costs around EUR 1 to 3 a month more; tools and furniture inside are covered by contents insurance.

When the garden shed is covered

Under the model terms of the German insurance association (GDV), the buildings listed in the policy schedule are insured. Many tariffs also include small outbuildings (Nebengebäude) on the same plot without naming them, but only up to a limit. Published terms of one insurer allow 15 square metres of floor area for all outbuildings together, 30 in the better tariff. Other tariffs set the limit higher.

The word together matters: garden shed, tool shed and log store are added up. If two sheds already stand on your plot, a new one can push you over the limit.

SituationCovered by buildings insurance?
Shed of 10 m² on a foundation, tariff up to 15 m²yes, at no extra cost
Shed of 24 m², tariff up to 15 m²only once reported, for an extra premium
Shed named in the policy scheduleyes
Loose storage box without anchoringdoubtful, ask your insurer
Shed used only as an office or storedepending on the tariff, no
Hut on an allotment gardenno, a separate policy is needed

What counts as a building

The model terms describe buildings as structures joined to the ground that protect against outside influences. A shed on point foundations or a concrete slab meets that. A plastic cabinet that just stands on the lawn may not.

A covered shed is insured against the usual perils of your policy: fire, burst pipes, storm and hail, and natural hazards (Elementarschäden) if you added them. Wooden sheds are hit by storms especially often.

What happens to the contents

Lawnmower, tools, bikes and garden furniture in the shed are not part of the buildings policy but of your contents insurance. Under the model terms, rooms in outbuildings count as part of the insured home if only you use them privately and they stand on the same plot.

Theft is only covered after a burglary: the thief must break in, climb in or enter with a false key or tool. An unlocked shed is therefore hardly protected. Garden furniture left outside on the plot is only covered with a separate clause and up to a limit.

Large shed with power, sauna or office

The bigger and better equipped the shed, the more likely it exceeds the limit. Power, heating, insulation or a sauna add value. Report such buildings with floor area and replacement value so that the sum insured fits.

If you use the shed purely for work, for example as an office with clients or as a store, the inclusion may not apply. Published terms only include outbuildings not used exclusively for business. Ask for a separate policy in that case.

Allotment huts

A hut on an allotment garden (Schrebergarten) is not on your house plot, so your buildings insurance does not cover it. There are special allotment policies (Laubenversicherung) that insure hut and contents together.

Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer testing body, found good tariffs from about EUR 100 a year in 2025, while others cost almost three times as much. Hut, shed and equipment quickly reach EUR 35,000 replacement value or more.

When you need to do nothing

If you only have a small tool shed and your tariff includes outbuildings up to an area it does not exceed, it is already covered. A look at your terms is enough.

A simple shed worth a few hundred euros does not need insuring at any price. It matters for sheds with a foundation, power or a high replacement value.

Step by step

  1. Add up the floor area of all outbuildings.
  2. Look up the outbuilding limit in your terms.
  3. Check that the shed is firmly joined to the ground.
  4. Report larger sheds to your insurer with floor area and replacement value.
  5. Check the contents under your contents insurance, including the limit for garden furniture.
  6. Lock the shed so that a theft counts as a burglary.

Checklist

  • Floor area of all outbuildings known
  • Outbuilding limit in the tariff checked
  • Shed stands on a foundation or slab
  • New or larger sheds reported
  • Contents covered by contents insurance
  • Shed can be locked

Common mistakes

  • Counting only the new shed and forgetting the old one
  • Not reporting a shed with a sauna or office
  • Assuming the allotment hut is covered
  • Leaving the lawnmower in an unlocked shed

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Do I have to report a new garden shed?

Yes, if together with other outbuildings it exceeds your tariff's limit.

If in doubt, report it, it costs little.

Does buildings insurance pay if a storm damages the shed?

Yes, if the shed is covered and storm is part of your policy.

Are the contents of the shed insured?

Through contents insurance, if only you use it privately and it stands on your plot.

Theft only after a burglary.

Do I need separate insurance for my allotment hut?

Yes.

It is not on your house plot.

Good allotment tariffs were available from about EUR 100 a year in 2025.

Is a greenhouse covered?

Every tariff handles this differently.

Ask if it has a significant value.

Is the shed covered if I work in it?

That depends on your tariff.

Some terms exclude sheds used exclusively for business.

Report the use in advance.

Sources

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