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What should I do after a contents insurance claim in Germany?

In short

Report the damage right away and call the police on 110 after a burglary. Limit the damage, photograph everything and throw nothing away. After a burglary, a list of stolen items with their replacement value (Stehlgutliste) goes to both the police and the insurer. In 2025 an average burglary cost around EUR 3,850. Breaching these duties can reduce your payout.

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What should I do after a contents insurance claim in Germany?

What it costs

What contents claims cost on average, according to figures published by German insurers.

Example	Typical range
Average insured burglary claim 2025	around EUR 3,850
Average lightning and surge claim 2025	around EUR 1,760
Home burglaries paid by contents insurance 2025	around 100,000 cases, about EUR 380 million in total
Mediation by the insurance ombudsman	EUR 0 for you, binding on the insurer up to EUR 10,000

As of September 2026, from publications of the German insurance association and the ombudsman. Your own policy terms decide the individual case; we help you with the report and evidence.

Worked example

Weekend burglary, couple in a three-room flat

The front door was forced open. A laptop, a camera and jewellery were stolen and the door is damaged. The sum insured is sufficient, deductible EUR 150.

Laptop, price new today	EUR 1,200
Camera with lens	EUR 900
Jewellery, not in a safe	EUR 1,500
Emergency repair of the door the same evening	EUR 250
Total	EUR 3,850
Less deductible	EUR 150

EUR 3,700 is paid if the stolen goods list is complete and on time and the jewellery stays under the limit for valuables. For tenants, the door itself is often paid by the landlord's buildings insurance.

The first hours

Safety first: after a fire or water leak get people out, and switch off power and water if that is safe. After a burglary, touch nothing and call the police on 110. The general emergency number 112 reaches fire brigade and ambulance and works in English in most places.

Then keep the damage as small as possible: mop up water, move wet furniture out, secure a broken door and block stolen bank cards. The insurer normally pays for these steps too, so keep the receipts.

Type of damage	What to do at once
Burglary	call police on 110, change nothing, block cards, notify insurer
Water leak	turn off the water, tell your landlord, save furniture, take photos
Fire	call 112, then photos, do not wipe off soot yourself
Power surge after a storm	unplug devices, keep them, note the time
Bike theft	report to the police, have frame number and receipt ready

Reporting and proving

Report the claim by phone, email or the insurer's online portal, and do it straight away. German policies require you to report without undue delay. Some terms ask for notice within one day after a burglary. A gap of several weeks is often treated as too late in disputes.

Photograph the damage before you tidy up. Keep damaged items until the insurer agrees they can go. Receipts, bank statements, online order histories, warranty cards and old photos of your home help prove what you owned. English receipts from abroad are fine as evidence.

The stolen goods list after a burglary

The list includes every stolen or damaged item with an exact description, brand, age and the price of buying an equivalent item new. It goes to the police and separately to the insurer. Handing it to the police alone is not enough.

Send it as quickly as possible. If you remember more items later, add them in writing. If you send no list or send it very late, the insurer may reduce or refuse payment.

What the insurer may and may not do

The insurer may ask questions, request evidence and send a loss adjuster. You must answer truthfully. False statements, even about small details, can cost you the whole claim.

It may not simply stay silent for months. If the claim is not settled one month after your report, you can ask for an advance on the amount that is certain. If it refuses, ask for the reasons in writing. Letters will usually be in German; we can go through them with you.

When it is better not to claim

A very small loss just above your deductible often brings little. Several claims in a short time can lead the insurer to cancel the policy or raise the premium. So do the sums before you report a minor loss.

This does not apply to burglary: you report it to the police anyway, and the insurer should know about it.

Step by step

Make sure everyone is safe; after a burglary call the police on 110.
Limit the damage: turn off water, block cards, secure door or window.
Photograph everything before tidying up and keep damaged items.
Tell the insurer the same or next day and note the claim number.
After a burglary send the stolen goods list to police and insurer.
Collect evidence: receipts, bank statements, photos, police report number.
If nothing happens after one month, ask in writing for an advance payment.

Checklist

Claim number and contact person noted
Photos of the damage before tidying up
Stolen goods list with replacement values sent to police and insurer
Receipts for emergency measures collected
Damaged items kept until the insurer agrees
All information complete and truthful

Common mistakes

Tidying up and throwing things away before taking photos
Giving the stolen goods list only to the police
Overstating values or adding items that were not taken
Waiting weeks before reporting the claim
Reporting a small loss just above the deductible and burdening the policy

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

How quickly do I have to report a claim?

Without undue delay. After a burglary ideally the same or next day. Some policy terms state one day for burglary.

What if I no longer have receipts?

Other evidence helps: bank statements, online orders, warranty cards, photos of your home or witnesses. Without any proof it gets difficult.

Can I report the claim in English?

Some insurers accept it, many work only in German. Short, clear sentences help. As your broker we can write or check the report with you.

May I call a tradesperson right away after a water leak?

For emergency steps that prevent further damage, yes. Agree larger repairs or getting rid of furniture with the insurer first.

Can the insurer cancel after a claim?

Yes, after a claim both sides can cancel. After a single valid claim it is rare, after several in a short time it happens.

What if the insurer will not pay?

Ask for the reasons in writing and check them. Then you can turn to the insurance ombudsman free of charge before thinking about court.

Sources

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