Burglary: Which insurance pays and how you can ensure optimal coverage
13 Jun 2025
3
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A burglary is a shock that can have significant financial consequences in addition to emotional ones. Do you know which insurance provides coverage in the event of an emergency and how you can protect yourself and your belongings? This article provides explanations and offers you concrete action recommendations.
The topic in brief and concise terms
In the event of a burglary, primary responsibility lies with the household contents insurance for stolen and damaged movable property, while the building insurance covers damage to the building itself.
Immediately after a break-in, notifying the police, securing the crime scene (without alterations), and providing a detailed damage documentation are crucial for the insurance claim.
Preventive measures such as mechanical security and avoiding gross negligence (e.g., tilted windows) are important to prevent burglaries and ensure full insurance coverage.
Immediate actions after a burglary: First steps for those affected
A burglary is a traumatic experience that requires quick and considered action. First, you should immediately contact the police via the emergency numbers 110 or 117. Do not enter the crime scene, if possible, before the police arrive, in order not to destroy any evidence.
Once the police have given you clearance, document all the damages and create a detailed list of the stolen items, known as an inventory of stolen goods. Take photographs of signs of forced entry and damaged items to serve as evidence for the insurance. Immediately cancel all stolen cards (debit cards, credit cards) and inform your bank; often, the insurance covers these costs. Report the burglary to your household insurance without delay, ideally within a few days. These initial steps are crucial for the subsequent settlement of claims and help to at least partially manage the emotional stress.
Home contents insurance: The primary protection against burglary theft
Household insurance is the primary protection in the event of a burglary. It generally covers damage to your movable property, such as furniture, electrical appliances, clothing, and valuables. The reimbursement usually occurs at replacement value, meaning you receive the amount needed to replace items with equivalent new ones.
Consequential damages, such as vandalism following a break-in, are typically insured as well. For valuables like jewellery, cash, or artworks, compensation limits often apply, which can vary depending on the policy; checking your policy details closely is important. A good household insurance can also cover hotel accommodation costs if your home becomes uninhabitable after a break-in, or lock change costs. The exact benefits and compensation limits, such as often only up to 2,000 Euros for cash outside a safe, should be checked in your insurance terms. Knowing these details helps you effectively assert your claims in case of damage.
Home building insurance: Protection for damage to the house itself
While household insurance covers household contents, the building insurance covers damage that occurs directly to the building. This includes, for example, broken doors, damaged windows, or damage to walls caused by a break-in. It's important to know that break-in damages are not automatically included in every basic building insurance policy.
A special clause such as "Building damage by unauthorized third parties" is often necessary to ensure this protection. This clause covers damage from break-ins, vandalism, and sometimes even arson. The repair costs for such building damages can be substantial, which is why sufficient insurance coverage is essential for property owners. Therefore, check your policy thoroughly or seek advice to determine if your current protection is adequate. Building insurance can also apply if the tenant does not have household insurance that covers building damage. This way, you are protected from the financial consequences of repairs to your property.
Damage Report and Settlement: Correct Procedure Secures Claims
After taking the initial immediate actions, correctly reporting the damage to your insurance company is the next important step. Submit the police report with the file number and the created list of stolen items as quickly as possible. Attach photos of the damages and, if available, purchase receipts for the stolen items.
The insurance company needs these documents to assess the damage and calculate the compensation. Be as precise as possible when creating the list of stolen items and give realistic replacement values. Be aware of any deadlines for reporting damage, as specified in your insurance terms. Good documentation and cooperation with the insurance company speed up the settlement process. Our expert tip: Keep important receipts and an inventory list of your valuables in a safe place to be able to act quickly in case of an emergency. This makes processing considerably easier.
Prevention: How to make your home safer and minimize risks
The best way to protect yourself from the consequences of a burglary is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Mechanical security on doors and windows is an important component in this regard. Crossbar locks or windows with resistance class two can considerably hinder burglars from breaking in. Also, consider installing an alarm system as a supplementary measure.
Simple behavioural rules also contribute to safety:
Always lock windows and doors, even if you're only away for a short time – a tilted window is an invitation.
Do not hide keys outdoors.
Make sure your home looks lived-in during long absences (e.g., using timers for lights, emptied mailboxes).
Inform trusted neighbours about your absence.
The police often offer free advice on burglary protection. An investment in security technology, which often represents less than five percent of the potential damage, can quickly pay off and give you peace of mind. Remember that gross negligence, such as leaving a window open, can jeopardise your insurance coverage.
Expert Knowledge: Legal Aspects and Recent Judgments
In insurance law, there are always interesting developments and judgments that can be relevant to those affected. The Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof, BGH) has strengthened the rights of policyholders in a judgment (Ref. IV ZR 91/23) by clarifying that not all traces of a burglary have to be completely consistent. A minimum amount of facts is sufficient to make a theft likely based on life experience, such as the presence of burglary traces and the inability to locate items.
Another judgment (BGH, Ref. IV ZR 118/22) dealt with the loss of keys: If the insured person loses their key and it is used for a burglary, the insurance may under certain circumstances reduce or deny benefits due to negligence. Therefore, it is important to know and fulfill your own obligations as a policyholder. This also includes minimizing damage as much as possible and informing the insurer immediately. Our expert tip: In case of uncertainties or disputes with the insurer, consulting a specialist lawyer for insurance law can be useful. This ensures your interests are optimally protected.
Special cases and additional insurance: What goes beyond the basic coverage
Not every burglary damage is automatically covered by standard home contents or building insurance. For certain risks or items, additional insurance or specific clauses can be sensible. For instance, the theft of bicycles is often only insured up to a certain amount or only if the bicycle has been independently insured or certain security measures were met. A special contents insurance or valuables insurance might be necessary for expensive artworks or collections, as the compensation limits of regular home contents insurance are often insufficient here.
Burglaries in outbuildings like cellars, garages, or garden sheds are often co-insured, but there are also differences depending on the tariff and insurer. The so-called external insurance covers household items temporarily outside the home, for example in a holiday hotel – particular conditions and deadlines, usually three months, often apply here. Examine your contracts closely for such details. Our expert tip: A regular review and adjustment of your insurance cover, roughly every two to three years or with significant purchases, ensures that you are always optimally insured. This helps to avoid coverage gaps and prepares you for various scenarios.
Your partner for comprehensive protection: Individual consultation by nextsure
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of burglary theft.
Gesetze im Internet contains the full text of Section 244 of the Penal Code, which regulates aggravated theft.
K-Einbruch, an initiative by the police and other partners, provides valuable information and practical tips for burglary prevention.
FAQ
Which insurance is most important in the event of a burglary?
Home contents insurance is the most important insurance for tenants and homeowners in the event of a burglary, as it covers the loss and damage of movable property (contents). For property owners, building insurance is additionally important for damage to the building itself.
What should I do immediately if I've been burgled?
Call the police immediately (110 or 117). Do not alter the crime scene. Report the damage to your insurance. Create a list of stolen items (inventory of stolen goods). If necessary, block any cards.
Does the contents insurance also cover vandalism after a burglary?
Yes, in general, home contents insurance also covers damage caused by vandalism that is directly linked to a burglary.
What is the difference between replacement value and current value in compensation?
Replacement value is the amount required to purchase a new item today that has been stolen or damaged. Current value takes into account the age and wear and tear of the item and is therefore usually lower. Household insurances generally pay according to the replacement value.
Are damages to doors and windows covered by household or buildings insurance?
Damage to doors and windows that are permanently attached to the building is usually covered by the homeowners' insurance, provided that burglary damages are included. Sometimes, the household contents insurance also covers such damages, especially if the tenant does not have homeowners' insurance.
How can I improve my insurance coverage against burglary?
Check if your sum insured is up to date (underinsurance waiver). Consider adding optional extras for bicycles or valuables. Ensure that gross negligence is included. Invest in burglary protection to minimise the risk.
