Who is liable if a humanoid household robot damages something?
In short
Who is liable depends on the cause. If a humanoid household robot damages something because you misuse it or leave it unsupervised, you are liable for fault under Section 823 BGB, and personal liability insurance pays if it includes the robot. If the device is defective, the manufacturer is liable without fault, from 9 December 2026 also for software. The first models cost about 20,000 US dollars.
There is no dedicated household robot policy yet. Personal liability and contents insurance are what count.
Example
Typical range
Personal liability insurance, single
about EUR 40 to 120 a year
Personal liability insurance, family
about EUR 60 to 180 a year
Contents insurance for a 140 square metre house
about EUR 140 to 280 a year
Humanoid household robot, purchase in the US
about 20,000 US dollars
The same robot on subscription
499 US dollars a month
Guide values, October 2026, taken from published examples.
The robot price comes from the announcement for the US market,
other markets are to follow from 2027.
The damage amount in the worked example is a guide value from broking practice.
Worked example
Household robot knocks a guest's tablet off the table
While clearing the table, the robot knocks down a borrowed tablet worth EUR 800. Who pays depends on the cause.
You let the robot clear up alone despite a warning
you are liable, liability insurance pays EUR 800
A faulty update made the gripper swing out
the manufacturer is liable
Deductible under current law
the guest bears EUR 500
Deductible for devices from 9 December 2026
none
If you are at fault, your liability insurance pays; if the device is defective, the manufacturer does. For new devices the EUR 500 deductible goes.
No special strict liability for household robots
German law makes animal keepers liable without fault in Section 833 BGB. There is no comparable special rule for a humanoid household robot. As its owner you are liable under Section 823(1) BGB when you act intentionally or negligently.
Negligence can mean leaving the household robot alone with a task that is obviously beyond it, or ignoring the manufacturer's warnings and updates.
When the maker of the household robot is liable
If the household robot has a product defect, the manufacturer is liable under the Product Liability Act (Produkthaftungsgesetz) without fault for personal injury and for damage to things in private use. Under the current law you bear the first EUR 500 of property damage yourself.
On 8 October 2026 the Bundestag adopted the new version, due to take effect on 9 December 2026. For household robots placed on the market from then on, software counts as a product, the EUR 500 deductible disappears and destroyed private data also counts as damage.
As long as the manufacturer can control the robot through updates, it stays responsible. If necessary security updates are missing, it cannot argue that the defect did not exist at the time of sale.
Cause of the damage
Who is liable
You let the robot carry hot pans although it is not approved for that
you, your liability insurance pays damage to others
Gripper fails because of a design fault
the manufacturer, without fault
Fault caused by a manufacturer's software update
the manufacturer, expressly for devices from 9 December 2026
Robot damages your own furniture
no liability insurance; the manufacturer if there is a product defect
What personal liability insurance does for a household robot
If the household robot damages a guest's or neighbour's property through your fault, personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) pays. Ask your insurer to confirm in writing before you buy whether your policy covers a device that acts on its own.
No liability policy pays for damage to your own things. You can insure the household robot itself under contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) against fire, burglary and water damage if the sum insured includes its value.
Remote control by the provider
For the first announced model, the provider said its staff would at first steer the robot remotely in difficult situations. Ask before buying who answers for damage in that case and get it in writing.
How a broker can help with a household robot
Norman Nammert works as an insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler) and can ask insurers whether your liability and contents policies include a household robot. The insurer pays the commission, so it costs you nothing.
Step by step
Before buying, ask your liability insurer in writing whether the household robot is covered.
Include the robot's value in the sum insured of your contents policy.
Read and follow the manufacturer's manual and approved uses.
Install updates promptly and keep a record.
After any damage, secure photos, logs and app data.
Checklist
Personal liability policy expressly includes the household robot
Contents sum insured covers the robot's value
Updates installed and documented
Remote control arrangements with the provider in writing
Receipt and serial number filed
Common mistakes
Assuming a robot is covered like any household appliance
Using the household robot for tasks it is not approved for
Ignoring updates and later blaming a device fault
Deleting the robot's logs after damage
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Am I always liable if my household robot breaks something?
No.
You are liable only for your own fault.
If there is a product defect, the manufacturer is liable even without fault.
Does personal liability insurance pay for damage caused by a robot?
Yes if you are at fault and the policy includes the device.
Get this confirmed in writing before you buy.
What changes on 9 December 2026?
For products placed on the market from then on, the new product liability law applies:
software is a product, the EUR 500 deductible goes and private data counts as damage.
Who pays if the robot damages my own furniture?
No liability insurance, because it only pays damage to others.
If there is a product defect, you can claim against the manufacturer.
Can I already buy a household robot in Germany?
The first announced model is to be delivered in the US first,
