For most people, their own home is the biggest financial investment of their life. Buildings insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung) protects that asset from the consequences of unforeseen damage and is one of the most important policies a homeowner can take out.
Buildings insurance covers damage to the building itself, meaning walls, roof, floors, fitted kitchens and other parts firmly attached to the building, caused by fire, lightning, explosion, tap water, storm and hail. After a loss, the insurer pays for repair or rebuilding at new value, so the building can be restored to its original form.
One point to note: when you buy a house or take out building finance, most banks ask for proof of buildings insurance. It is not required by law, but in practice it is a must, for the lender and for the owner alike.
Tap water damage is a risk that is often underestimated. Burst pipes, leaks or frost damage can cause severe moisture damage, and repairing it is expensive. Buildings insurance pays these costs, as long as the damage came from a burst pipe and not from ordinary dampness or poor maintenance.
We advise you on the right sums insured and add-on modules, so your home is well protected and you get no nasty surprises when a claim arises.
Buildings Insurance Benefits
Included in all tariffs:
- Insurance of the residential building and all outbuildings, including building components and fittings
- Insurance of garages and carports, on and off the property
- Reimbursement at new-build value
- Insured perils: fire, tap water, storm/hail
Basis tariff:
- Additional costs (clearing, demolition, storage, leak detection): 50,000 euros
- Drainage pipes outside the building: 25,000 euros
- Malicious damage by third parties (e.g. graffiti): 25,000 euros
Smart tariff, in addition:
- Photovoltaic, solar thermal and heat pump systems: 25,000 euros
- Gross negligence included
Komfort tariff:
- All additional costs unlimited
- Photovoltaic/solar thermal/heat pumps unlimited
- Home emergency service included
Premium tariff:
- All-risks cover included (unlimited)
- Extreme weather cover included
- Building glass cover included
- Home emergency service included
What is insured: main building and outbuildings, doors, fitted kitchens, built-in furniture, firmly glued floor coverings, solar systems, heat pumps, wallboxes, antennas, awnings, fences, walls, terraces, garages/carports.
Add-on modules:
- Extreme weather cover (elementary damage insurance, Elementarversicherung): flooding, heavy rain, backflow, earthquake, landslide, snow load, avalanches
- Building glass cover
- Home emergency service: 24/7 tradesperson service
- Property owner's liability cover: for landlords and homeowners
- Oil tank liability
Buildings Insurance Everyday Examples
- Lightning fire: Lightning sets the roof structure on fire. Cover applies.
- Burst pipe: A cold-water supply pipe breaks from rust, causing water damage in the cellar. Cover applies.
- Flooding: Heavy rain floods the cellar and damages the masonry. Elementary damage cover applies.
- Earthquake damage: Cracks appear in the house facade after an earthquake. Elementary damage cover applies.
- Oil tank leak: Spilled heating oil contaminates the wall and the soil. Oil tank liability cover applies.
- Storm and hail damage: A storm strips the roof and hail destroys the blinds. Cover applies.
- Glass breakage: A football smashes a conservatory pane. The glass cover module applies.
- Heavy rain flooding: Rainwater is pushed into the ground floor. Elementary damage cover applies.
- Roof collapse from snow load: Heavy snow causes the roof to collapse. Elementary damage cover applies.
- Wasp nest: A swarm of wasps in the roof structure. The emergency service module applies.
