German household contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) replaces the value of your belongings when fire, water-pipe damage, storm, burglary or vandalism hits your home. Unlike the building insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung), it does not protect the property itself — it protects what lives inside it: furniture, clothes, electronics, valuables. Our Household Contents Insurance Calculator shows in seconds what your policy will cost.
How is the premium calculated?
Three levers determine your yearly premium:
- Living space — the insurer charges a fixed rate per square meter (around €0.95 to €1.85/sqm/year).
- Tariff — basic (€550/sqm), comfort (€650/sqm) or premium (€800/sqm) sum insured.
- Location — ZÜRS flood-risk zone 1 to 4; the higher the zone, the higher the premium, especially with natural-hazard cover.
The GDV rule of thumb: €650/sqm
The German Insurance Association (GDV) recommends a sum insured of €650/sqm. This covers an averagely furnished household — furniture, clothes, electronics, valuables. For 80 sqm of living space this means a sum insured of €52,000. If you own high-end furniture, designer pieces, art or premium electronics, pick the premium tariff at €800/sqm — for 80 sqm that's €64,000.
The under-insurance waiver clause
The key advantage of the GDV rule of thumb: as long as you insure at least €650/sqm, the insurer waives the under-insurance defense. This means: even if your actual contents are worth more, the insurer pays the full new-replacement value of any claim (up to the sum insured) — without a pro-rata cut.
Worked example: 80 sqm in Cologne
- Living space: 80 sqm
- Tariff: Comfort (€650/sqm) → sum insured €52,000
- ZÜRS zone: 2 (medium risk, near the Rhine)
- Natural-hazard cover: yes
- Deductible: €150
- Base premium: ca. €106/year
- Natural-hazard surcharge: ca. €30/year
- Yearly premium: ca. €136 (monthly premium ca. €11.30)
What is covered?
Hausratversicherung covers all movable items inside your home:
- Furniture, carpets, curtains
- Electrical appliances (TV, computer, kitchen)
- Clothes and personal items
- Valuables (jewelry, cash) — usually up to 20 % of the sum insured
- Food and supplies
- Bicycles (often optional, up to fixed caps)
Insured perils: fire, water-pipe damage, storm/hail, burglary, robbery, vandalism.
Natural-hazard cover: no longer optional after the Ahr valley
The 2021 Ahr-valley flood disaster made it clear: without natural-hazard cover (Elementarschutz) you are not protected against flooding or heavy rain. German politicians have since been debating a compulsory policy — until then you have to add it yourself. In ZÜRS zone 3/4 it is indispensable; in zone 1/2 it adds €15–€30/year and is a cheap safeguard against heavy rain, backwater and snow load.
Deductible: usually pays off
A €150 deductible cuts the premium by 4–6 %, €300 by 8 %, €500 by up to 15 %. Since most policyholders claim at most every 10–15 years, a moderate deductible is almost always profitable.
Valuables — the invisible cap
Cash, jewelry, art and antiques are only covered up to fixed percentages of the sum insured (typically 20 %, often with an absolute cap of €30,000). High-value individual items (wedding rings, art above €5,000) should be added separately as a valuables policy or through expert appraisal and photo documentation.
Hausrat vs. Wohngebäude vs. Haftpflicht — who covers what?
- Hausratversicherung — everything movable in the home (furniture, electronics, clothes)
- Wohngebäudeversicherung — the property itself (walls, roof, fixed heating, sanitary fittings)
- Privathaftpflicht — damages you cause to others (personal, property and financial damage)
Only all three together provide full protection. Without personal liability insurance you face lifelong claims; without contents insurance a fire can wipe out €30,000–€100,000 of belongings.
When do I have to report a move?
Tell the insurer before moving. During a transition window (usually 2 months), both apartments are covered at the same time. Important: ZÜRS zone and living space often change — the premium is recalculated.
Related calculators
- Building Insurance Calculator — protection for the property itself
- Personal Liability Calculator — protection against damage to third parties
- Accident Insurance Calculator — financial protection for your own personal injury
- Financial Health Check — full overview of your insurance coverage
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Am I covered outside my home too?
Yes — the policy also covers worldwide travel (up to 50 % of the sum insured, usually capped at 3 months). Theft from a car is only covered if the car was locked and the items were not visible.
Are bicycles covered?
Only if they were inside a locked space at the time of theft. For outdoor theft (e.g. locked at university), you need the bicycle add-on, usually €30/year.
What counts as gross negligence?
Example: candle burning, you leave the apartment, fire breaks out. Basic tariffs cut the payout in that case. Premium tariffs waive the gross-negligence defense up to set amounts (e.g. €50,000).
How fast does the insurer pay?
Clear cases (water damage, burglary with police report) are usually settled within 2–4 weeks. Report damage immediately, collect evidence, call the police for burglary — otherwise payouts can be reduced.