New-for-old replacement
When something is damaged or stolen, we pay what it costs to buy a new equivalent today, not the worn-down second-hand value of the old item.
Arrival essentials
Home contents insurance in Germany
Hausratversicherung
One burst pipe, one burglary, or one kitchen fire can wipe out years of savings. Hausratversicherung replaces everything you own in your flat, from furniture and electronics to clothes and valuables, for a few euros a month, with no German paperwork to fill in yourself.
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Overview
Why Indian expats need home contents cover
Home contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) pays to repair or replace everything movable inside your flat, from furniture and electronics to clothes, kitchen equipment, and personal valuables, when they are destroyed or stolen. It turns the random risk of a break-in, a burst pipe, or a kitchen fire into a fixed monthly cost of a few euros.
All major risks in one policy
Fire, water damage, burglary, storm, and hail are all covered under a single contract, so you do not need to arrange each risk separately.
Indian sarees and gold jewellery included
Many standard German policies cap valuables at low amounts that do not reflect how much Indian households spend on traditional clothing and jewellery. We set our valuables limit to reflect your reality.
Cover travels with you to India
Your belongings are also covered for a limited period when you take them abroad, so a laptop or camera stolen on a trip home to India is still a claim we handle.
Why it matters
Financial safety for your new home setup
German landlords often strongly recommend or even require Hausratversicherung before handing over the keys. Beyond that, the replacement cost of everything you own, from laptops and furniture to clothes and kitchen goods, is almost always far higher than people expect until they actually add it up. A burglary or a washing-machine flood can easily reach five figures.
€3.400 avg
The average household burglary in Germany results in around €3.400 in losses, and often more when electronics and valuables are included. Contents insurance pays the replacement bill.
from €3,90
Cover starts at a few euros a month and scales with how much you own and where you live. It is one of the lowest-cost insurances relative to the financial protection it gives.
01
Your landlord may require it
Many German landlords ask for proof of Hausratversicherung as part of the rental application. Having it before your flat search gives you a stronger application and avoids a last-minute rush.
02
Everything replaceable, one claim
Fire, a burst pipe, or a burglary rarely damages just one item. A single claim covers all your losses in one event, from furniture and appliances to clothes and electronics, without separate payouts.
03
It costs little and travels with you
The annual premium is often less than the replacement cost of a single mid-range laptop. And your belongings stay covered for up to 90 days when you take them abroad on holiday.
What’s covered
Real protection for your tech, your furniture, and your family gold
Standard cover protects your movable belongings against the main everyday risks, and several useful extras can be added to fit how you live. Here is what sits inside a typical policy and what we usually recommend adding.
Fire, smoke, and lightning
Damage from fire, smoke, a lightning strike, or an explosion is covered, including the soot and water damage that often comes with putting a fire out.
Tap water and burst pipes
Water escaping from pipes, washing machines, or heating systems is one of the most frequent claims, and Hausrat covers the resulting damage to your belongings.
Burglary and theft
If someone breaks in and steals or damages your things, you are reimbursed. Robbery and the damage burglars leave behind are included too.
Storm, hail, and vandalism
Damage from storms (usually from wind force 8 and up), hail, and vandalism after a break-in is part of standard cover.
Belongings outside the home
A stolen suitcase or a laptop taken from a hotel can be claimed too (the Außenversicherung). For long trips back to India, we pick a tariff whose window covers the whole stay.
Bicycle theft as an add-on
Theft of bikes and e-bikes can be added for a small extra premium, with a sub-limit you set, which matters a lot in German cities where bike theft is common.
Gold, jewellery, and valuables
Many Indian households keep meaningful gold and jewellery at home, and standard policies cap valuables at a low share of the sum insured. We raise that limit or arrange a certified safe, so your gold is covered for what it is really worth.
Cyber cover (Cyberschutz)
Several tariffs add protection against online fraud, phishing, and identity theft, reimbursing money lost to scams that target your bank and shopping accounts. We include it when it fits how you live online.
New-for-old replacement (Neuwert)
We set your policy on a replacement-value basis, so a stolen laptop or a ruined sofa is paid at what a new equivalent costs today, rather than the depreciated second-hand price.
The list of belongings is broad, covering furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, kitchenware, and personal effects. Cash, jewellery, and other valuables are included up to set sub-limits, which we match to what you actually own.
Cover calculator
Estimate the right sum insured for your home
German insurers size Hausrat from your living space, using a guideline rate per square metre. Set your flat size, then add the gold and jewellery you keep, whether at home or in a bank safe deposit box, and we confirm the exact number with you on a free call.
Suggested sum insured
€45.500
This starts from €45.500 for 70 m² at €650 per square metre, plus €0 you set aside for gold, jewellery, and a bank safe deposit box. Insuring at this level usually waives the underinsurance penalty, so smaller claims are paid in full.
For Indian expats
Your household. Your coverage. No standard templates.
Standard German contents policies are built around the average German household. Indian households often have a different profile: more electronics, traditional clothing and gold jewellery, and family members visiting for extended stays. Our tariff is built to reflect that.
Electronics: the biggest risk for tech workers
Elektronikgüter
Premium covers laptops, monitors, tablets and accessories at full replacement value, not depreciated.
Jewellery and valuables at a higher limit
Wertsachen
Gold jewellery, sarees and religious items often exceed a basic policy's sub-limit. Premium raises the valuables cap so they are actually covered.
Cover trips back from India
Damage caused by water or a break-in
If you have to fly back from India because of a claim, the flight is covered and paid for.
Visiting family covered at no extra cost
Besucher
Belongings your visiting parents or siblings bring into your flat are covered for their stay. No separate policy needed.
From our clients
“When the pipe burst and my landlord said I was liable for the water damage, NEOdirect handled the whole claim in English. It was sorted in three days.”
Priya R., software engineer in Munich, Hausrat customer since 2023
Basis or Premium: Both built for expats
Basis gives you solid protection at the lowest cost. Premium adds bike cover, electronics new-for-old, natural-hazard cover, and a higher valuables limit.
Basis
Premium
Most cover
Monthly price
€3,90 / month
€6,50 / month
Sum insured
€50.000
€70.000
Fire, water damage, burglary, storm
Included
Included
Natural hazards (flooding, landslide)
Not included
Included
Bike & e-bike theft
Not included
Included
Electronics new-for-old
Not included
Included
Valuables sub-limit (jewellery, art)
Up to €2.000
Up to €5.000
Cover on trips abroad
Up to 42 days
Up to 90 days
Best-performance guarantee
Not included
Included
Included in our free service
Managed for you at no extra cost
We set up your policy, handle the German paperwork, and support every claim in English, at no extra charge.
- English-speaking advisors
- Claim support from start to finish
- Annual review included
- Cancel any time
What is not covered
Honest about the limits
No policy covers everything. Here is what falls outside a standard Hausratversicherung so there are no surprises when you need to claim.
Wear and tear
Normal ageing, scratches from daily use, and gradual deterioration are not insured events. The item must be damaged by a sudden, covered cause such as fire or theft.
Flooding on Basis
Natural flooding from rivers or groundwater is only included in the Premium tariff as Elementarschaden. Basis covers water from inside the flat (pipes, appliances) but not from outside.
Damage to the building itself
Walls, the roof, windows, and fitted fixtures belong to your landlord and are their responsibility. Your Hausrat policy covers your movable belongings, not the structure of the building.
Items left unattended in a car
Belongings left visible in a parked car and then stolen are generally not covered. Always keep valuables out of sight or in the boot, and take laptops and cameras with you.
How we work
Get covered in three steps
You do not need to speak German or understand insurance jargon. We handle everything in English.
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Tell us about your flat
Share your postcode, flat size, and a rough idea of what you own. Our tool gives you an instant price comparison for Basis and Premium.
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100% Digital & Paperless
No German “Bürokratie” to navigate. You sign digitally in minutes. We submit everything to the insurer and you get a confirmation by email, in English, before the day is out.
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We handle any claim in English
If something happens, call or message us. We speak to the insurer, track the progress, and keep you informed in plain English until the money is paid.
Why NEOdirect
Built for expats, not just translated for them
Most German insurance brokers offer an English-language website as an afterthought. We started from the problems expats actually face and built our service around them.
English at every step
From your first question to your last claim, every conversation is in English. No auto-translated letters, no German phone queues.
Tariff built for Indian households
Higher valuables limits, electronics new-for-old, and visiting-family cover are baked in, not sold as expensive add-ons you have to discover later.
One advisor for your whole journey
You do not get passed around a call centre. Your named advisor knows your household and stays with you from setup through renewals and claims.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short answer: Yes. While home contents insurance ("Hausratversicherung") is not mandatory in Germany, it is one of the most valuable types of insurance for expats.
It protects your personal belongings against risks such as fire, burst pipes, storm damage, burglary and vandalism. This includes furniture, clothing, electronics, kitchen appliances and many other personal possessions.
Real-life example: One of our clients returned from India after spending three months abroad. During that time, a water pipe had burst in his apartment. By the time he came back, the entire apartment was covered in mold. His furniture, clothing and electronics were destroyed, and the apartment was uninhabitable.
The building insurance covered the damage to the property itself, while his home contents insurance replaced his furniture, household items, electronics and personal belongings. It also paid for several weeks of hotel accommodation while his apartment was being renovated. Hotel costs in cities like Frankfurt can be extremely expensive during major trade fairs, making this coverage especially valuable.
Home contents insurance covers almost everything inside your home that you would take with you if you moved. Typical items include furniture, clothing, laptops, smartphones, TVs, kitchen appliances, cameras, sports equipment and personal belongings.
Most policies cover damage caused by:
- Fire
- Escape of water (burst pipes or leaking plumbing)
- Storm and hail
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Vandalism
Many premium policies also include additional benefits such as accidental damage, extended theft protection or worldwide personal belongings cover.
Home contents insurance is surprisingly affordable. Depending on the size of your apartment, your location and the level of cover, premiums typically range from €5 to €15 per month.
Considering that a single claim can easily exceed €20.000 or even €50.000, it is one of the best-value insurance policies available. For less than the price of one coffee each week, you can protect everything you own.
Yes. Private electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, monitors, cameras and other personal equipment are generally covered if they are damaged by an insured event like fire, water damage or burglary.
This is especially important for IT professionals, engineers, remote workers, digital nomads and international employees working from home. Many expats own expensive electronic devices worth several thousand euros. Home contents insurance protects these valuable items against unexpected losses.
Water damage is one of the most common and expensive insurance claims in Germany. If your apartment becomes impossible to live in after a covered event, many comprehensive policies will not only replace your damaged belongings but also pay for temporary accommodation.
Real-life example: One of our clients returned from a long stay abroad to discover severe water damage throughout his apartment. Mold had spread across every room, making the apartment unsafe to enter. Nearly all furniture, clothing and electrical appliances had to be replaced.
His insurance covered:
- Replacement of furniture
- New household appliances
- Clothing and personal belongings
- Temporary hotel accommodation during the renovation
Without insurance, the total financial loss would have been enormous.
Many premium policies include worldwide personal belongings protection or a Best Cover Guarantee, which can extend protection beyond your home.
Real-life example: One of our clients had already checked in for an international flight. Before going to the departure gate, he stopped to buy a coffee. During those few minutes, his backpack was stolen. Inside were his passport, flight documents, laptop, smartphone and personal belongings. The entire trip had to be cancelled and booked again.
Thanks to his premium home contents insurance, all covered expenses were reimbursed. Within just two weeks, he received approximately €7.000 in compensation. This case demonstrates how valuable comprehensive coverage can be, even outside your own home.
Yes. Many home contents insurance policies offer optional bicycle and e-bike coverage. Depending on your policy, this may include:
- Bicycle theft
- E-bike theft
- Battery damage
- Theft from locked storage rooms or basements
- Theft while the bicycle is parked outside
If you live in major cities such as Frankfurt, Munich or Berlin, adding bicycle coverage is highly recommended. Every year, thousands of bicycles are stolen across Germany, many of them from apartment basements, bike storage rooms or directly from the street. Modern bicycles and e-bikes are often expensive, with values ranging from €1.000 to €10.000 or more.
If your bicycle is stolen, simply report the theft to the police and notify your insurance company. If the bicycle cannot be recovered, your insurer will generally reimburse you according to the terms of your policy, allowing you to purchase a replacement.
Practical tip: Always use a high-quality lock and keep your purchase receipt, the frame number and a few photos of your bicycle. This makes the claims process much faster and easier.
Absolutely. Many insurance providers work with English-speaking advisors or brokers who specialize in helping international clients.
The most important thing is not whether the insurance company speaks English, but whether you fully understand your coverage and have someone to support you if you ever need to make a claim. Having an experienced advisor on your side can make the entire process much easier.
If something happens, you should:
- Take photos of the damage.
- Prevent any further damage if possible.
- Contact your insurance advisor or broker immediately.
- Keep invoices and receipts where available.
- Report theft to the police if required.
The faster the claim is reported and properly documented, the smoother the claims process usually is.
Why working with an insurance broker makes life easier: If you work with an independent insurance broker, you don’t have to deal with the insurance company yourself. For example, our clients simply send us a WhatsApp message or give us a quick call. We explain exactly what is needed, including which photos to take, which documents to provide, whether a police report is required and what information the insurance company needs.
Once we have everything, we take care of the entire claims process on your behalf. We prepare the claim, communicate with the insurance company and follow up until everything has been settled. You don’t have to worry about paperwork, insurance terminology or language barriers.
Good to know: You don’t need to look for an English-speaking insurance company. We provide complete support in English and guide you through every step of the claims process, making it simple and stress-free.
The most common mistakes are:
- Not buying home contents insurance at all.
- Choosing a policy with insufficient coverage.
- Forgetting to insure expensive valuables.
- Ignoring optional benefits such as bicycle cover or worldwide personal belongings protection.
- Not updating the policy after moving to a new apartment.
- Choosing insurance based only on price instead of coverage.
A well-designed home contents insurance policy can save expats from significant financial losses and provide peace of mind while living in Germany.
Final advice: The cheapest policy is not always the best one. A comprehensive policy with excellent claims service can make all the difference when you need it most.
Free 30-minute call — not sure which tariff fits your flat?
Our advisors speak English and know the German market. They will look at your flat size and the things you own, compare Basis and Premium side by side, and give you a clear recommendation, with no obligation to sign up.
NEOdirect · Insurance broker for expats in Germany