The classics: red wine over someone else laptop, scratching a parked car with your bike, a leak into the flat below. In all three: full personal liability without a policy.
Why It Is the First Insurance to Get
Under § 823 BGB you are liable for accidental damage with all your assets and income — no upper limit. A policy from ~€5 a month closes that risk.
✓ Verified: 15/08/2026
WHAT TO DO
COSTS
- €Liability insurance ~€3–6 per month
› Details and tips
👨🏻💻
Max recommends:
My tariff: under 5 € a month with 50 million cover. Since § 823 BGB knows no liability cap, this is the cheapest protection in existence.
👩🏼💼
Lea recommends:
I was asked for the policy three times: landlord, kindergarten, e-scooter rental. Having one is the adult badge here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does every family member need a policy? ▾
No: the family tariff covers partner and children for a couple of euros more. Children are liable from age 7 — before that the clause for deliktunfähige Kinder matters.
Is my home-country policy or travel insurance enough? ▾
Almost never: travel policies and home contracts do not apply once you permanently live in Germany. You need a local contract under German law.
Is it mandatory? ▾
Legally no (except for dogs in some states and certain professions). In practice yes: landlords ask for it, and one uninsured incident can cost decades of premiums.
Am I covered through my partner? ▾
A family tariff covers partner and children automatically. Check your partner policy before buying twice — double coverage does not pay double.