Germans love insurance. While some are absolutely legally required (like health insurance) or practically required (like Personal Liability / Haftpflichtversicherung), others fall into a gray area. The Hausratversicherung (Home Contents Insurance) is one of those.
What is Hausratversicherung?
This insurance covers the contents of your apartment against damage or loss. A good rule of thumb is: imagine taking your apartment, turning it upside down, and shaking it. Everything that falls out is covered by Hausratversicherung.
This includes:
- Furniture (beds, sofas, wardrobes)
- Electronics (laptops, TVs, expensive cameras)
- Clothing and valuables
What Risks Are Covered?
Standard policies cover damage caused by:
- Fire and lightning
- Burglary, theft, and vandalism (inside the home)
- Tap water leaks (e.g., a burst pipe destroying your laptop)
- Storms and hail
Note: Many modern policies also offer add-ons like bicycle theft protection (even if stolen outside) and glass breakage.
Do Expats Actually Need It?
It depends entirely on your lifestyle and the value of your possessions.
You probably DON'T need it if:
- You live in a furnished, short-term WG (shared flat).
- Your furniture is mostly second-hand or cheap IKEA.
- You could easily afford to replace your belongings out of pocket if a disaster struck.
You absolutely DO need it if:
- You have an expensive fitted kitchen (Einbauküche) that you bought yourself.
- You own expensive electronics, jewelry, or designer clothing.
- You have an expensive e-bike or bicycle and add the bicycle theft clause.
Cost
The good news is that Hausratversicherung is remarkably cheap. Depending on the size of your apartment and the value insured, it typically costs between €25 to €60 per year. For the peace of mind it provides, many long-term expats consider it a no-brainer.