Haus & Wohnen
Building Glass Breakage Insurance
glass insurance for household contents or residential buildings
Glass Insurance: Household Contents or Buildings – Which Protection is the Right One?
A crack in the ceramic hob or a broken windowpane – glass damage is annoying and can become costly. But which insurance covers it: glass insurance as an add-on to your home contents or building insurance? This article sheds light on the subject and shows you how to best protect your glass surfaces.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Glass insurance is usually an add-on to home contents insurance (for furniture) or residential building insurance (for fixed parts) and covers breakages that go beyond the basic coverage.
Costs and benefits should be weighed individually; it is particularly advisable in the case of expensive glazing or increased risk (e.g. children).
Pay attention to the contract details: Only actual glass breakage is insured, scratches are usually not; note exclusions (e.g., hollow glass, photovoltaics).
Understanding Glass Insurance: The Foundation for Your Protection
A pure glass breakage insurance comes into play when glass surfaces break. Neither the standard home contents insurance nor the regular residential building insurance covers all glass damage. Usually, only damage from specific hazards such as fire, tap water, storm, or burglary is included. Glass insurance fills this gap and also covers everyday mishaps, for example, if a ball breaks through the window. It is generally available as an additional module to home contents or residential building insurance.
It is important to note that glass insurance only pays for actual breakage. Scratches or scuffs are usually not covered. Hollow glasses like vases or drinking glasses are often not protected either. The exact conditions of what constitutes glass breakage are defined individually by each insurer. A crack from the front to the back of the pane is often equated with a break. The distinction between whether glass insurance belongs to the home contents or the residential building is crucial for the correct protection.
Household glass insurance: Protection for your movable glass inventory
Glass insurance as an addition to the contents insurance covers glass damage to movable objects in your flat or house. These include, for example, glass table tops, display cabinet panes, mirrors, or even glass ceramic hobs. A typical example: you drop a pot on the ceramic hob and it shatters – this is a case for the household glass insurance, if taken out. Aquariums or terrariums can also be covered here.
The cost of this additional cover is often low, starting at just a few euros per year. For a family in a 90 square metre flat, the premium might be around 18 euros annually, depending on factors such as location and deductible. Carefully check which types of glass are included in your policy. Optical glasses like spectacles or hollow glasses like lampshades are usually not insured. This protection is particularly relevant for tenants, as they must cover the cost of damage to furniture themselves. Household glass insurance covers damages within the flat, regardless of whether it is your property or a fixture, as long as it is glazing on furniture. Next, we will look at the coverage for permanently installed glass elements.
Residential Building Glass Insurance: Security for Permanently Installed Glass Surfaces
When it comes to glass surfaces that are permanently attached to the building, glass insurance as an addition to home insurance is responsible. This typically includes window and door glazing, glass roofs of conservatories, or even permanently installed glass shower cabins. An example: A storm throws a branch against your panoramic window, causing it to break. This is where the building glass insurance comes into play.
The following elements are typically covered by the residential building glass insurance:
Window panes and glass doors (both exterior and interior)
Glazing of conservatories, porches, and loggias
Glass blocks and profiled glass
Glass or plastic skylights
Artistic glazing on exterior windows
Cost coverage often includes more than just the replacement of the glass itself. It can also cover necessary emergency glazing, scaffolding costs, or the disposal of shards. For homeowners, this protection is particularly important to avoid high costs for damage to the building fabric. The distinction from household glass insurance is crucial for comprehensive protection.
Weighing up costs and benefits: When is which glass insurance worthwhile?
The decision to opt for glass insurance depends on your individual living situation and risk appetite. Do you own expensive glass installations, such as a conservatory, large panoramic windows, or a high-quality glass shower cabin? If so, the protection might be worthwhile. The cost of glass insurance is often low compared to potential damage; you can get household glass insurance from as little as a few euros per year. A family with two children in a 90-square-metre apartment often pays just under 18 euros annually with a 150-euro excess.
Consider how high the risk of glass breakage is in your household. Do you have children or pets living with you? Then the likelihood of mishaps increases. Compare the additional costs of the glass add-on with the potential repair costs. A new ceramic hob can quickly cost several hundred euros. A broken double-glazed window pane, including installation, can rapidly exceed 500 euros. The distinction between household and building insurance is also relevant here. For tenants, household glass insurance for furniture and potentially self-installed elements such as a shower cabin is primarily of interest. Property owners should additionally consider building glass insurance for fixed installations. In the next section, we will cover details that are often overlooked.
Practical Examples: How Glass Insurance Applies in Everyday Life
To make the differences more tangible, here are some practical examples. If a heavy pot falls onto the ceramic hob while cooking and it shatters, this is a case for glass insurance as an addition to the contents insurance. If your child hits a ball against the patio door while playing and the glass breaks, the glass insurance as an addition to the building insurance comes into play, as the door is permanently attached to the building. Another example for the home contents glass insurance: An expensive glass display cabinet tips over and the panes shatter.
Here is a list of typical damage cases and the respective glass insurance responsible:
Broken window pane due to playing children (Addition to building insurance).
Crack in the glass ceramic hob due to a falling object (Addition to contents insurance).
Damaged glass shower cubicle (Depending on construction and contract, contents or building glass insurance).
Breakage of a mirror pane of a cabinet (Addition to contents insurance).
Glass breakage in a conservatory due to hail (Addition to building insurance, provided natural hazard coverage is not already applicable).
It is important to document the damage accurately for the insurance. Photos and a detailed description help with rapid processing. You should be well acquainted with the coverage provided by your contents insurance and your building insurance. Now we will summarise the key points for you.
Optimal Coverage: Making the Right Choice for Your Needs
The decision on whether glass insurance for household contents or residential buildings – or both – makes sense depends on many factors. For tenants, glass insurance as an addition to household insurance is often sufficient to protect personal furniture and possibly rented, non-fixed glass elements. Homeowners, on the other hand, should consider both options to secure both movable inventory and permanently installed building glazing. An elementary damage insurance can also be an important addition. The costs for glass insurance are often manageable, for example, coverage for a single-family home can be possible for under 50 euros per year.
Carefully review your existing contracts. Sometimes a certain amount of glass protection is already included, although often only for specific hazards. An individual consultation helps identify coverage gaps and find the appropriate protection. Remember, premiums can vary depending on the living area, type of glazing, and chosen deductible. A deductible of, for example, 150 euros can significantly reduce the annual premium. With this information, you can make an informed decision on your glass protection.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked at no cost and receive specific optimization suggestions.
More useful links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of glass insurance.
Gabler Wirtschaftslexikon offers a detailed definition of glass insurance in the context of business law.
Bundesanzeiger is the official platform for legal and business publications in Germany, relevant for the legal framework of insurance.
FAQ
Which insurance covers a broken window pane?
For a broken window pane, the glass insurance typically pays as an addition to the property insurance, since windows are permanently attached to the building.
Is glass insurance advisable for tenants?
Yes, for tenants, glass insurance can be a sensible addition to household insurance to cover damages to furniture glazing (e.g. glass tables, mirrors, ceramic hobs) or self-installed glass surfaces like shower cabins.
What does glass insurance not cover?
Typically not covered are surface damages (scratches), hollow glass items (vases, drinking glasses), optical glasses (spectacles), screens of electronic devices, and often also photovoltaic systems.
Can I take out glass insurance later?
Yes, in most cases, you can add glass insurance as an additional module to your existing household or building insurance later.
What do furniture glazing and building glazing mean?
Furniture glazing refers to glass on movable items like tables, cabinets, or mirrors. Building glazing includes glass elements permanently attached to the structure like windows, external doors, or conservatories. [4,__5__01_]
Does glass insurance also cover emergency glazing costs?
Yes, many glass insurance policies cover not only the pure repair or replacement costs but also additional expenses such as emergency glazing, disposal of shards, or scaffolding costs.
