How high should the sum insured be?

The common rule of thumb is 650 euros per square meter of living space. If you furnish above average, plan with 700 to 750 euros per square meter. Combine the calculation with an underinsurance waiver, so the insurer pays the full damage even if the sum was set too low.

Is household insurance worth it as a renter?

Yes, especially for renters. After a fire or break-in the policy pays the replacement value of your belongings. Without it, the cost lands on you. The landlord's building insurance covers only the structure of the building, not your contents.

Should I bundle household and liability insurance?

You can often combine both policies with the same insurer at a small bundle discount. But the policies cover different risks. Hausrat protects your own belongings, Privathaftpflicht (personal liability) pays for damage you cause to others. Compare each policy separately first to see whether the bundle is actually cheaper.

What to do in case of a claim?

Report the damage to the insurer immediately, take photos, keep damaged items until the assessor has seen them, and file a police report for theft. These duties of cooperation are defined by § 28 of the German Insurance Contract Act (VVG).

Guide for renters & newcomers in Germany

Household Insurance Germany 2026Hausratversicherung explained, then compared

Q: How much does household insurance cost in 2026?

According to Stiftung Warentest (Finanztest, January 2026 update), annual premiums for a 100 sqm flat range from roughly 38 to 240 euros, depending on city, tariff and deductible. Affordable insurers such as Schleswiger, Schwarzwälder Direkt or Waldenburger regularly appear at the top of price-quality comparisons.

We explain what is actually covered, how to set the right sum insured, and then let you compare tariffs from established German insurers. Free, in English, no email needed for the result.

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Last updated: May 21, 2026 · meinetarife24 Editorial Team

Key takeaways

Household insurance pays the replacement value of your belongings after burglary, fire, water-pipe damage or storm.
Set the sum insured at 650 euros per square meter of living space and add the underinsurance waiver.
In 2026 Stiftung Warentest measured premiums between roughly 38 and 240 euros per year for the same model flat.
Often paired with personal liability insurance – two policies, different risks.

German terms you will encounter

Hausratversicherung

Household contents insurance

Einbruchdiebstahl

Burglary

Leitungswasser

Water-pipe damage

Unterversicherungsverzicht

Underinsurance waiver

Why renters in Germany really need this policy

A burned-out apartment can easily mean a five-figure loss in furniture, electronics and clothing. Without household insurance you pay the replacement value yourself. Your landlord's building insurance only protects the building, not the contents.

For newcomers it is usually the second policy to think about, after personal liability. Premiums are moderate, contracts can start the day you sign your rental agreement. A wider overview is in our insurance guide for newcomers in Germany.

How much does household insurance cost in 2026?

Stiftung Warentest, Germany's consumer testing institute, examined 89 insurers and 253 tariffs in its January 2026 update. The model case was a 40-year-old employee living on the second floor in a 100 square meter flat. Prices differed sharply by region and tariff.

Apartment size	Recommended sum insured	Typical premium per year*
40 sqm (studio)	26,000 euros	approx. 30 to 90 euros
70 sqm (2 to 3 rooms)	45,500 euros	approx. 55 to 150 euros
100 sqm (family)	65,000 euros	approx. 80 to 240 euros

* Indicative range based on Stiftung Warentest 2026 results and market data from the German Insurance Association (GDV). Concrete tariffs are shown in the comparison tool below.

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Household plus personal liability: bundle or separate?

People often mix these two policies up. Household insurance covers your own belongings. Personal liability (Privathaftpflicht) pays when you cause damage to other people or their property. Many insurers offer a bundle discount of 5 to 15 percent.

Before you sign a bundle, compare each policy separately. If the cheapest standalone tariffs add up to less than the bundle, two contracts work better. More detail is in our personal liability insurance guide.

Optional: natural hazard cover

Flood, mudslide and water backflow from the sewer are not part of the standard tariff. If you live in a flood-prone area, add this extension. More info in our natural hazard insurance guide. Renters insure only their belongings here, while owners should also look at building insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung) to protect the structure itself.

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Frequently asked questions

Answers reflect current guidance from Stiftung Warentest, German consumer protection (Verbraucherzentrale) and the German Insurance Contract Act (VVG).

Household insurance (Hausratversicherung) covers your movable belongings in the apartment: furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchenware, bicycle. Standard risks include burglary, fire, leaking water pipes, storm and hail. Natural hazards such as flooding are an optional add-on.

Sources and further reading

Stiftung Warentest: household insurance comparison (Jan 2026)
Finanztip: Hausratversicherung Vergleich
Verbraucherzentrale: setting the right sum insured
GDV: insurance market statistics
Duties of cooperation in the claim: § 28 VVG; pre-contractual disclosure duty § 19 VVG.

Ready to compare household insurance?

Postal code and living space are all you need to see tariffs from major German insurers side by side.

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