Personal Liability Insurance in Germany (Haftpflichtversicherung)

Personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung) is arguably the single most important insurance policy to get when living in Germany. It's not legally required — but without it, a single accident could cost you tens or hundreds of thousands of euros out of pocket.

Germans take this seriously: around 80% of households in Germany have personal liability coverage. Once you understand why, you'll agree it's not optional.

What is Privathaftpflichtversicherung?

Personal liability insurance covers financial damages you accidentally cause to other people or their property. In Germany, you are personally and fully liable for damages you cause — there's no cap, no state backstop. A moment's inattention can lead to a claim that follows you for life.

Why it matters more in Germany than elsewhere

Germany's liability law (§823 BGB) is strict. If you cause damage — even accidentally — the injured party can claim full compensation from you personally. This includes:

• Medical costs, rehabilitation, ongoing care
• Lost income (if the other person can no longer work)
• Property repair or replacement
• Legal fees

Without insurance, all of this comes from your personal assets and future income. Courts can order wage garnishment to settle large liability claims.

What personal liability insurance covers

Real-world examples of covered scenarios:

• You're cycling and knock over a pedestrian who breaks their wrist. Their medical bills and sick pay are covered.
• You accidentally leave a tap running and flood your downstairs neighbor's flat, damaging their furniture and flooring. Covered.
• Your child breaks a classmate's expensive glasses at school. Covered.
• You accidentally damage a colleague's laptop while borrowing it. Covered.
• A visitor trips on a rug in your apartment and injures themselves. Covered.
• You throw a ball and it breaks a car windscreen. Covered.

What's not covered

• Damage to your own property
• Intentional damage
• Damage caused while driving a car (that's separate car insurance)
• Damage caused while running a business (separate business liability policy required)
• Some policies exclude damage to items you're borrowing — check this specifically

Cost and what's on the market

Good personal liability insurance costs remarkably little — typically €3–10/month (€40–120/year) for a solid policy. This is not an area to economize on coverage in order to save €2/month.

Key factors that affect the price:

• Coverage limit — look for a minimum of €5 million, ideally €10–50 million
• Whether the policy covers just you or also your partner/family
• Deductible (Selbstbeteiligung) — higher deductible = lower premium

English-friendly providers

• Feather — fully English-language, online signup, €4.90–7.90/month. Very popular with expats.
• Coya — English app, digital-first, competitive pricing
• Adam Riese — German provider, configurable coverage
• HanseMerkur / HDI / Allianz — traditional German insurers, may require German-language interaction

How to get it

The process couldn't be simpler:

1. Go to Feather or Coya (both fully English)
2. Answer a few questions about your household composition
3. Select your coverage limit and start date
4. Pay monthly — cancellable with 3 months' notice (standard German contract)

Coverage typically starts the same day or the following day. No medical examination, no waiting period for a standard policy.

Common questions

Does my partner need separate coverage?

If you're married or registered partners (eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft), a family policy typically covers both of you and your children under one policy. Unmarried partners living together can often be added explicitly — check the policy wording.

Does it cover damage I cause abroad?

Most German personal liability policies cover you within the EU and sometimes worldwide. Check the geographic scope before traveling.

I'm a tenant — do I need this?

Especially as a tenant. If you damage the apartment (broken window, flooded bathroom, damaged wall), the landlord will hold you liable. Some damage is covered by your landlord's building insurance, but your personal contributions to damages — and anything the building insurance doesn't cover — are your responsibility. Haftpflicht protects you.

Can I get this without Anmeldung?

Yes — most digital insurers accept your passport and current address. Anmeldung is not usually required to take out a liability policy, though it helps. Cover yourself from arrival.