Liability Insurance — The Most Important Insurance in Germany

Status: March 2026. All information without guarantee.

Why Haftpflichtversicherung?

In Germany, the rule is: Anyone who causes damage is liable without limit with their entire assets (§ 823 BGB). A single accident can financially ruin you — e.g., if you injure a pedestrian as a cyclist.

Private liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) covers:
- Damage claims from other persons
- Personal injury, property damage, and financial loss
- Assessment of whether claims are justified
- Defense against unfounded claims (passive legal protection)

What does it cost?

• Single person: from €3–5/month (approx. €40–60/year)
• Family: from €5–8/month (approx. €60–100/year)
• Coverage sum: at least €10 million recommended

Typical damage cases

• You damage your landlord's apartment (burst pipe, burn mark)
• You cause an accident as a cyclist
• Your child damages something at friends' homes
• You knock over something expensive in a store
• You lose your key (lock replacement in apartment building: €5,000–20,000!)

What to watch for?

• Key loss covered? (important for tenants!)
• Goodwill damage insured? (e.g., you help with moving and something breaks)
• Rental property damage to the apartment
• Coverage sum at least €10 million (better €50 million)
• Valid worldwide (important when traveling)

Don't confuse

Tips

• Compare: Check24.de, Verivox.de, or Clark (app) — compare tariffs
• Many landlords expect Haftpflichtversicherung coverage
• Annual payment is cheaper than monthly