Who pays if something breaks during a move depends on who carried it. A removal firm in Germany is liable up to 620 euros per cubic metre of load space, provided you report visible damage by the day after delivery. If friends help, their liability insurance only pays with a favour clause. Your own things that you drop are paid by nobody, not even contents insurance.
about 1 to 3 per mille of the value, often at least 30 to 50 euros
Personal liability with favour damage for singles
about 40 to 120 euros a year
Liability amounts calculated under section 451e HGB.
Transit insurance and liability premiums are guide values from our quoting practice, October 2026;
we obtain the exact quote.
Worked example
Removal firm, glass table broken
A family moves 35 cubic metres. When unloading, a glass table worth 900 euros breaks and a wardrobe gets a dent.
Firm's maximum liability (35 × 620 euros)
21,700 euros
Damage to table and wardrobe
about 1,200 euros
Reported the day after delivery
firm pays
Reported three days later
claim for visible damage has lapsed
The liability cap is no problem here, the deadline is. Report late and you get nothing.
With a removal firm: liability under German law
If you hire a removal firm, you sign a removal contract under the German Commercial Code (HGB). For lost or damaged items, section 451e HGB caps the firm's liability at 620 euros per cubic metre of load space needed for the move. For 30 cubic metres that is up to 18,600 euros for the whole move.
For jewellery, cash, securities and documents the firm is exempt under section 451d HGB, as it is for damage caused by inadequate packing if you packed yourself. Carry valuables yourself during the move, and ask about extra transit insurance for single expensive items such as a piano.
The deadlines where many claims fail
Under section 451f HGB, claims lapse if you do not report visible damage by the day after delivery. For damage you cannot see from outside, such as a crack in a wrapped mirror, you have 14 days.
Unpack the most important boxes quickly and note damage on the delivery note the movers ask you to sign.
With friends: favours and liability insurance
If a friend drops your TV during the move, he is often not legally liable if he was only slightly careless and helped for free. Many personal liability policies (Privathaftpflicht) still pay such favour damage (Gefälligkeitsschäden) if they include a clause for it.
Ask your helpers before the move whether their liability cover includes favour damage. Damage to the stairwell or a neighbour's car is paid by the liability insurance of whoever caused it.
Who carried
Who pays for damage to your things
Removal firm
the firm, up to 620 euros per cubic metre
Friends, unpaid
their personal liability with favour clause
You yourself
nobody, it is your own loss
Paid helpers without a company
the helpers personally, often hard to enforce
Accident with the rented van
the van's motor insurance for third party damage
What contents insurance does during a move
Contents insurance protects both the old and the new flat during the move, but only against its perils such as fire, burglary, escaping water and storm. Things that fall while being carried or break in the van are not a case for contents insurance.
How to update your policy when you move is explained on our page about contents insurance and moving house.
When you do not need transit insurance
For an ordinary flat move with normal furniture, the firm's statutory liability is often enough. Extra transit insurance for the move pays off mainly for art, antiques, instruments and expensive electronics.
When friends help, insurance only works if they have the favour clause. Leave expensive single items to professionals.
Step by step
Photograph valuable furniture and devices before the move.
Ask the firm about liability and transit insurance and sign a written contract.
Ask friends whether their liability cover includes favour damage.
Note visible damage on the delivery note and report it in writing by the next day.
Report hidden damage found while unpacking within 14 days.
Checklist
Written removal contract stating the cubic metres
Transit insurance for single expensive items
Photos of the condition before the move
Helpers with favour clause in their liability cover
Deadlines of one day and 14 days in your calendar
Common mistakes
Signing the delivery note without noting visible damage
Leaving boxes unopened for weeks
Assuming contents insurance pays for breakage while carrying
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Is the removal firm liable for boxes I packed?
Not for damage caused by inadequate packing you did yourself, under section 451d HGB.
If the firm packs, it is also liable for the contents.
Does contents insurance pay if something breaks during the move?
Not for breakage while carrying.
Fire, burglary or storm during the move are covered in the old and new flat.
Who pays for scratches in the stairwell?
Whoever caused them: the firm, your friends' liability insurance, or your own personal liability.
What if a friend damages my rented van?
Damage to the van itself is paid by its comprehensive cover, minus the deductible.
Personal liability excludes damage caused by driving a car.
Is an email enough to report damage?
Yes, as long as you can prove it arrived.
Add photos and a short description.
Is moving insurance worth it for a small flat?
Usually not.
With 20 cubic metres the firm is already liable for up to 12,400 euros.
