All about this insurance: Bicycle and e-bike
Is my bike covered by my German contents insurance?
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Is e-bike insurance worth it in Germany?
In short
For an e-bike worth about EUR 2,000 or more that you often park outside, separate e-bike insurance is usually worth it. For a bike worth EUR 3,000 you pay about EUR 60 to 140 a year. Unlike contents insurance, it also covers the battery, crash damage and often wear. For a cheap bike kept in a locked cellar, the bike add-on of your contents insurance is often enough.
What it costs
Published annual premiums for e-bikes worth EUR 3,000, fully comprehensive cover.
| Example | Typical range |
|---|---|
| EUR 3,000, rural area | about EUR 60 to 90 a year |
| EUR 3,000, mid-sized city | about EUR 80 to 120 a year |
| EUR 3,000, big city | about EUR 100 to 140 a year |
Guide values as of September 2026. Premiums have risen with many providers in 2026. We obtain the exact quote for you.
Worked example
Commuter with a EUR 3,200 e-bike in a big city
Is separate insurance worth it compared with contents insurance?
| Bike limit in contents insurance | about EUR 650 |
| Uncovered rest after a theft | about EUR 2,550 |
| E-bike insurance | about EUR 110 to 140 a year |
A single theft in 20 years outweighs the premiums. Here it is worth it. Worked example with guide values.
What contents insurance already does
Contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) pays for bike theft only with the bike add-on, and often only up to a limit, for example 1 percent of the sum insured. It never pays for damage to the bike itself, such as a broken battery after a fall.
If your e-bike is worth more than that limit, or you want repairs covered, separate e-bike insurance comes into play.
| Loss | Contents insurance with bike add-on | E-bike insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Theft of the whole bike | yes, up to the limit | yes, up to the new value |
| Theft of battery or parts | often no | yes |
| Crash damage to the bike | no | yes |
| Vandalism | no | yes |
| Electronic damage to the motor | no | usually yes |
Rules that may be new to you
A normal pedelec with motor support up to 25 km/h counts as a bicycle in Germany and needs no compulsory insurance. Damage you cause to others with it is usually covered by personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung).
A fast S-pedelec up to 45 km/h counts as a small motor vehicle. It needs liability insurance with an insurance number plate (Versicherungskennzeichen), and personal liability insurance does not cover it.
When it pays off
A new battery quickly costs several hundred euros, a motor even more. If you ride to work every day and park at the station, your risk is high.
For a EUR 3,000 bike, an annual premium of EUR 100 is around 3 percent of its value. A single theft covers many years of premiums.
When you do not need it
If your e-bike almost always stands in a locked cellar, is older and no longer worth much, contents insurance with a bike add-on is usually enough.
If you could easily pay a loss of a few hundred euros yourself, separate insurance is more of a comfort than a necessity.
Step by step
- Find the purchase price and receipt of your e-bike, also if you bought it abroad.
- Check in your contents insurance whether and up to what amount bikes are covered.
- Think about where the bike usually stands and how often you park it outside.
- Get quotes with battery, crash and theft around the clock.
- Check the lock requirements and maintenance duties.
Checklist
- Theft around the clock, also at night
- Battery and electronics included
- New value replacement in the first years
- Wear and breakdown help if you ride a lot
- Lock requirements match your lock
Common mistakes
- Believing contents insurance pays the full value
- Not keeping the receipt and frame number
- Using a lock that does not meet the conditions
- Riding an S-pedelec without a number plate
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Is insurance compulsory for an e-bike?
Not for normal pedelecs up to 25 km/h. For S-pedelecs up to 45 km/h, liability insurance with a number plate is compulsory.
Does contents insurance pay if the battery is stolen?
Often not, because only theft of the whole bike is covered.
Can I insure an e-bike I brought from abroad?
Usually yes, if it is not too old and you can show the purchase receipt. Some insurers accept used bikes only up to a certain age.
How much is e-bike insurance per month?
For a bike worth EUR 3,000 about EUR 5 to 12.
Does it cover me on holiday?
Usually yes, often across Europe or worldwide. Check the terms.
Sources
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Related questions
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