From a bicycle stolen from the basement to a house fire: household contents insurance covers a lot and is therefore recommended to almost everyone. What should it do and where is it cheapest?
Buying everything new after a fire costs huge sums of money. But even those who do not expect the worst usually want to protect their belongings against theft or damage. According to the magazine “Finanztest” (issue 7/2022), basic protection is usually sufficient.
The experts examined 247 tariffs from 98 providers and found that the most important services are essentially the same for all tariffs. The price differences, on the other hand, are enormous. The costs can be up to four times as high with different insurers.
Flat sums are difficult to name, because in individual cases the place of residence is decisive for the amount of the contribution. Because the insurers charge higher prices in cities with a high risk of burglary. For the model case in Jena (low risk), Docura made the cheapest offer with an annual fee of 52 euros, in the model case Krefeld (high risk) Huk24 with 83 euros. Expensive contracts cost four times as much.
And of course the sum insured is decisive, which corresponds to the value of the household effects, i.e. everything you could take with you when you move.
Important to know: Policies that are ten or twenty years old sometimes offer fewer benefits. It’s worth checking here. If necessary, let them switch to the current conditions or switch to a cheaper provider.
Basic protection should include the following without a deductible: fire, lightning, explosion and implosion, burglary and vandalism, robbery, mains water, and storm and hail. Natural hazards such as floods usually have to be insured additionally, but often for only 10 to 20 euros more per year.
Some additional services are partly included: if, for example, the garden furniture on the terrace or a break-in to the car parked on the street are also insured. Incidentally, a bicycle is part of the household effects if it is in the apartment, garage or in the basement. If, on the other hand, the bike is stolen outside, additional protection is required.
It also makes sense that the insurance company does not reduce the amount in the event of damage caused by gross negligence. Example: The front door is only pulled shut or burning candles are left unattended.
“Finanztest” asked for tariffs for a typical condominium owner in two different places of residence. In a location with a low risk of burglary, these are the five cheapest providers for standard protection without other insured natural hazards: Docura Start, Waldenburger Premium, Ammerländer Comfort, Friday Hausrat and MVK Premium.
The following tariffs offer the same protection in a location with a high risk of burglary: Huk24 Basis, MVK Premium, LBN Gut, Docura Start and Friday Hausrat. Other included services differ in detail. Tip: Obtain and compare offers for your personal case.
