Home Contents Insurance

Home contents insurance protects all movable property in a household-furniture, appliances, clothing, valuables, and other items-against financial loss caused by fire, burglary, storms, hail, water damage, and vandalism. In the event of a claim, it reimburses the replacement value of the damaged or stolen items. Home contents insurance must be strictly distinguished from building insurance: the latter protects the building itself, while home contents insurance covers the contents.

What is covered-and what isn’t?

Standard home contents insurance typically covers the following incidents:

• Burglary: stolen items and damage caused by the break-in (e.g., pried-open windows)
• Fire, lightning, explosion: fire damage to household contents, including soot and water damage from firefighting
• Water damage: damage caused by burst pipes or leaking washing machines
• Storms and hail: storm damage to property insured starting at wind force 8
• Vandalism (following a burglary)

The following are not automatically included: bicycle theft (often available for an additional premium), natural disasters such as flooding and heavy rain (requires an additional rider), and gross negligence (some policies include this).

Sum Insured and Underinsurance

The sum insured should correspond to the actual replacement value of the entire household contents. As a rule of thumb, this amounts to €650-750 per square meter of living space. Those who are underinsured will only receive proportional compensation in the event of a claim. A waiver of underinsurance-which many modern policies offer-protects against this risk if the sum insured was determined using the insurer’s rule of thumb.

Home Contents Insurance for Renters and Homeowners

Renters are particularly reliant on home contents insurance, as they do not own a building that would be protected by the owner’s building insurance. Homeowners need both types of insurance: building insurance for the roof, walls, floors, and permanently installed fixtures, as well as home contents insurance for movable property. Homeowners should check whether their built-in kitchen is covered by home contents or building insurance-this depends on the specific clause.

Practical Tip for Homeowners in Nuremberg and Franconia

In Nuremberg and the surrounding region-especially in neighborhoods with older buildings such as Gostenhof, St. Leonhard, or Langwasser-we strongly recommend that tenants purchase home contents insurance with burglary coverage. Those living on the ground floor or with a terrace should ensure they have adequate coverage against burglary. We also advise homeowners to consider adding a natural hazards rider: heavy rain events have increased in recent years, even in Franconia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does home contents insurance also cover damage caused by water ingress during heavy rain?

No, not automatically. Damage caused by rainwater entering through windows, doors, or from a flooded sewer is considered classic natural hazard damage and is only covered by a separate natural hazard coverage add-on. This must be explicitly agreed upon.

What happens if my bicycle is stolen?

By default, bicycle theft is only covered if the bicycle is stolen from a locked building. Theft on the street or from an unlocked basement is generally only covered by an additional “bicycle theft” rider, which often increases the insurance premium and imposes certain lock requirements.

As a landlord, can I require my tenants to purchase home contents insurance?

No. Purchasing home contents insurance is at the tenant’s discretion; such an obligation cannot be stipulated in the lease agreement. Some landlords inform tenants of this recommendation but have no legal means of enforcing it.

Home Contents Insurance and Handing Over the Apartment - What Landlords Should Know

From the perspective of home contents insurance, landlords have a different perspective than tenants or owner-occupiers. Their building insurance protects the building itself, including permanently installed fixtures, but not the tenant’s personal property. Nevertheless, there are points of overlap: For example, if a burst pipe in the common areas causes water damage that also damages the tenant’s household goods, the tenant may, under certain circumstances, be able to claim compensation from the landlord-provided the landlord is responsible for the damage. The tenant, in turn, can file a claim through their household goods insurance, and the insurer may seek recourse from the landlord in such a case.

Landlords should therefore explicitly advise their tenants to obtain home contents insurance when handing over the apartment-not out of a legal obligation, but because it is in everyone’s interest to be able to settle claims easily. A leaflet outlining the most important types of insurance related to housing is a simple gesture that helps avoid conflicts in the long run.

Home Contents Insurance for Vacant Apartments and Vacation Rentals

A particular risk arises when apartments stand vacant for extended periods-for example, during renovations, inheritance situations, or with seasonal vacation rentals. Many home contents insurance policies contain a clause that limits or excludes coverage if the apartment remains unoccupied for more than 60 or 90 consecutive days. Anyone who owns a vacation rental or leaves an apartment vacant between two tenancies should inform their insurer in a timely manner and, if necessary, choose an adjusted rate.

In Nuremberg and the metropolitan region, the supply of vacation rentals is growing steadily. Owners who rent out their homes on a short-term basis through platforms like Airbnb should also clarify whether short-term rentals are covered under their policy-this is often not the case with standard home contents insurance and requires a separate provision or add-on. We recommend speaking with both your insurer and a tax advisor before your first short-term rental, as there are also tax-related considerations to keep in mind.

Home Contents Insurance and Moving - What Owners and Renters Should Keep in Mind

A frequently overlooked aspect: When moving, home contents insurance typically covers items in both residences-that is, at the old and new locations-for a transitional period of up to three months. However, this coverage is limited and often does not cover the move itself. Anyone moving should inform their insurer early on and report their new address and living space, as the sum insured and the premium rate may change. Households in Nuremberg moving into larger homes-for example, when starting a family or purchasing a home-risk being underinsured if the policy is not adjusted. We recommend conducting a comprehensive insurance review with every move: home contents, liability, and, if applicable, building insurance should always reflect your current living situation.

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