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Is contents insurance worth it in Germany?

In short

Contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) is worth it if you could not buy your belongings new from your own pocket after a fire, water leak or burglary. In 2025 a burglary cost around EUR 3,850 on average, while cover often costs EUR 25 to 120 a year. If you own very little or have large savings, you can do without.

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Is contents insurance worth it in Germany?

What it costs

Guide figures for cover, plus claims figures from German insurers.

Example	Typical range
80 square metres in a city with few burglaries	about EUR 23 to 25 a year
80 square metres in a big city with many burglaries	about EUR 51 to 54 a year
75 square metres, mid tariff zone, with gross negligence	about EUR 90 to 120 a year

Guide values as of September 2026 from publicly quoted tariff examples. Claims figures from the German Insurance Association (GDV). We obtain the exact quote for you.

Worked example

Couple, 70 square metres, burglary

Burglars take a laptop, jewellery and a camera and damage the front door of the flat.

Stolen items at replacement value	about EUR 4,500
Repair of door and lock	about EUR 600
Annual contents premium	about EUR 60 to 110

The loss equals several decades of premiums. The insurance pays the replacement value, minus any agreed deductible.

A simple sum

Ask yourself: what would it cost to buy furniture, clothes, kitchen items and electronics completely new? For a family flat that quickly comes to EUR 40,000 or more.

If you could not easily raise that amount, the insurance makes sense.

Situation	Recommendation
Own flat with your own furniture	worth it
Family with children	clearly worth it
Room in a shared flat, few belongings	often not needed
Student whose parents live in Germany	often covered by the parents' policy
Student whose parents live abroad	own policy if your things are worth it
Large savings, few valuables	a matter of judgement

Furnished flats and policies from home

Many newcomers start in a furnished flat (möbliert). The landlord's furniture is the landlord's business, but your laptop, clothes, bike and camera are not insured by anyone unless you take out a policy.

A home contents policy from your previous country usually does not cover a flat in Germany. Check before you rely on it.

What the figures say

German insurers counted around 100,000 home burglaries in 2025 with total losses of EUR 380 million. Fire, burst pipes and storms come on top and are often more expensive than a burglary.

In a flat fire, usually all of your belongings are affected.

When you can honestly save

If you live in a furnished room and own little, your risk is small. Going without can be reasonable here.

Even then, think about your bike, laptop and phone, which are often worth more than you expect.

Step by step

Roughly estimate what your belongings are worth.
Check whether you could replace that amount yourself.
Use living space times EUR 650 as the sum insured.
Check gross negligence and bike cover as add-ons.

Checklist

Value of your belongings estimated
Sum insured without underinsurance
Gross negligence covered
Bike and valuables taken into account

Common mistakes

Seriously underestimating the value of your own things
Believing the landlord or the buildings insurance pays for furniture
Relying on a policy from your home country without checking
Keeping two policies after moving in together

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Does the buildings insurance pay for my furniture?

No. Buildings insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung) covers only the building. Your belongings need contents insurance.

Do I need contents insurance as a tenant?

If you have your own furniture and electronics, yes. The landlord insures only the house.

Is it compulsory in Germany?

No. Some landlords ask for personal liability insurance, but contents insurance is your own choice.

Is my bike automatically covered?

Inside the flat usually yes, outside only with a separate bike add-on.

Does it pay the replacement value?

Yes, contents insurance usually pays the price of new items of the same kind and quality.

Sources

NAMMERT insurance broker

Request a quote: Contents insurance

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3Details

Contents insurance in Germany (Hausratversicherung)

Living space in m² * Excluding cellar, attic and garage Type of home * How is the home used? * Value of jewellery, watches, art and collections * Total value of all bikes and e-bikes Do you want cover for flooding and heavy rain? Contents claims in the last five years, in any country * Anything else we should know For example valuable equipment, a safe, instruments, your planned length of stay

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