Is damage in a holiday flat covered by personal liability insurance?
In short
Is damage in a holiday flat covered? Damage to the building itself, such as parquet, tiles or a bathtub, is usually paid by current German personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) as rental damage. Furnishings like a sofa, carpet or TV need their own inclusion, often with a lower limit. No insurance pays for normal wear and tear, and glass is usually excluded.
Guide figures for German personal liability insurance including rental damage.
Example
Typical range
Single, policy with rental damage
about EUR 40 to 120 a year
Family with children
about EUR 60 to 180 a year
Inclusion of movable furnishings in holiday flats
EUR 0 surcharge in good policies, otherwise a few euros a year
Guide values as of October 2026 from published premium ranges.
The surcharge for furnishings and the worked example are guide values from practice.
Limits and maximum stay for holiday flats are stated only in your policy terms.
Worked example
Family, one week in a holiday flat on the Baltic coast
A pan falls on the oak parquet during dinner, and a glass of red wine tips over onto the light carpet.
Repair of the parquet
about EUR 600
Cleaning or replacing the carpet
about EUR 350
Policy with rental damage and furnishings
pays both, minus any agreed deductible
Policy with rental damage to the building only
pays EUR 600, the carpet is on you
The difference is the furnishings. In this example that is EUR 350 out of your own pocket.
Building or furnishings: the key difference
Insurers separate two kinds of damage. The building includes everything that is fixed: parquet, tiles, doors, bathtub, fitted kitchen. Such damage counts as rental damage and is usually included in current policies.
Furnishings are everything not fixed to the building: sofa, carpet, TV, crockery, bed linen. Rented movable items are excluded from liability insurance as a rule. Many insurers add the furnishings of holiday flats and hotel rooms back in, often up to a lower limit and for stays of limited length.
Damage
Good policy
Basic policy
Burn mark in the parquet
usually covered
usually covered if rental damage is included
Red wine stain on the carpet
covered if furnishings are included
often not covered
TV knocked off the table
often covered, appliances partly excluded
usually not covered
Cracked glass door to the terrace
usually not through liability
not covered
Worn mattress, faded upholstery
not covered, no liability
not covered
What is often excluded
Many policies exclude glass, heating systems, electrical and gas appliances and awnings. Damage from wear, tear and excessive use is not paid either.
You do not have to pay for normal wear: under Section 538 of the German Civil Code (BGB) a tenant is not liable for changes caused by normal use. For holiday flats abroad, the law of the rental contract applies, often that of the country.
Holiday flats booked through a platform
Some platforms offer hosts their own protection schemes. These do not replace your liability insurance: the host can still claim from you, and the platform may recover its payment from you.
With your own personal liability insurance that includes furnishings, you are covered regardless. Your insurer also checks whether the claim is justified and defends you against excessive demands.
When you need nothing extra
A current policy with rental damage and holiday flat furnishings is enough for normal holidays. Separate travel liability insurance only makes sense if you have no personal liability insurance at all.
If you let a holiday flat yourself, that is a different matter. You are then liable as a landlord, which personal liability insurance often does not cover. Clarify this before the first booking.
Step by step
Before travelling, search your terms for rental damage (Mietsachschäden).
Check whether furnishings of holiday flats and hotel rooms are included.
Note the limit, deductible and maximum length of stay.
Take photos of existing damage on arrival.
Report damage to the host and your insurer at once, but do not admit liability.
Checklist
Rental damage to rooms included
Movable furnishings in holiday flats included
Valid worldwide and for the length of your trip
Exclusions for glass and appliances known
Photos taken on arrival
Common mistakes
Assuming every liability policy also pays for furnishings
Admitting the claim or paying cash on the spot before your insurer has checked it
Not documenting existing damage on arrival
Relying on the booking platform's protection scheme
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does liability insurance pay for damage in a hotel room?
For the room itself usually yes, as rental damage.
Furnishings follow the same rule as in a holiday flat: they must be included.
Am I covered abroad?
Current policies usually apply worldwide.
For longer stays outside Europe there is often a maximum duration; check your terms.
What about a broken window?
Glass damage is often excluded from personal liability insurance.
The landlord often has glass insurance.
Can the host keep the deposit?
For real damage yes, not for normal wear.
Report the damage to your insurer, which reimburses a justified amount.
Do I have to report the damage immediately?
Yes, to the host and your insurer.
Do not accept the claim before your insurer has checked it.
Do I need travel liability insurance?
Only if you have no personal liability insurance of your own.
