Glass Insurance: Home Contents or Residential Building – Which Protection is Right?
4 Apr 2025
12
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A crack in the ceramic hob or a broken windowpane – glass damage is annoying and can be costly. But which insurance pays: the glass insurance as an addition to home contents or building insurance? This article sheds light on the subject and shows you how to optimally cover your glass surfaces.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Glass insurance is usually an addition to the home contents insurance (for furniture) or building insurance (for permanently installed parts) and covers breakage damage that goes beyond the basic protection.
Costs and benefits should be weighed individually; it makes sense particularly for expensive glazing or increased risk (e.g. children).
Pay attention to 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 compensates when glass surfaces shatter. Neither the standard household insurance nor the regular homeowner's insurance cover all glass damage. Usually, only damage from specific risks such as fire, water leakage, storm, or burglary is included. Glass insurance fills this gap and also provides coverage for everyday mishaps, for instance, if a ball breaks the window. It is generally available as an additional component to household or homeowner's insurance.
It is important to note that glass insurance only pays for actual breakage. Scratches or grazes are usually not covered. Also, hollow glass items like vases or drinking glasses are often not covered. Each insurer defines the exact conditions of what qualifies as glass breakage individually. A crack from the front to the back of the pane is often equated to breakage. Distinguishing whether the glass insurance is part of the household or homeowner's insurance is crucial for correct coverage.
Household Glass Insurance: Protection for Your Moveable Glass Inventory
Glass insurance as an addition to the household insurance covers glass damage to movable items in your flat or house. This includes, for example, table glass tops, display cabinet windows, mirrors, or even the glass-ceramic hob. A typical example: if a pot drops onto 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.
The cost for this additional cover is often low, starting at just a few euros per year. For a family living in a 90 square metre flat, the premium can be approximately 18 euros annually, depending on factors like location and excess. Check carefully which types of glass are included in your contract. Optical glasses like spectacles or hollow glasses like lampshades are usually not insured. This protection is particularly relevant for tenants, as they must cover furniture damage themselves. The household glass insurance covers damage within the flat, regardless of whether it belongs to you or is a fixed part of the rental property, as long as it involves furniture glazing. Next, we examine the protection for permanently installed glass elements.
Residential Building Glass Insurance: Security for Built-in Glass Surfaces
When it comes to glass surfaces permanently connected to the building, glass insurance as an addition to home building insurance is responsible. This typically includes window and door glazing, glass roofs of conservatories, or permanently installed glass shower cabins. An example: A storm throws a branch against your panoramic window, which then breaks. Here, the building glass insurance applies.
The following elements are typically covered by the residential building glass insurance:
Window panes and glass doors (exterior and interior)
Glazing of conservatories, verandas, and loggias
Glass blocks and profiled glass
Glass or plastic skylights
Artistic glazing on external windows
Cost coverage often includes more than just the pure glass replacement. Necessary emergency glazing, scaffolding costs, or disposal of shards can also be covered. For homeowners, this protection is particularly important to avoid high costs in case of damage to the building structure. The distinction from household glass insurance is crucial here for comprehensive protection.
Weighing Up Costs and Benefits: When is Which Glass Insurance Worthwhile?
The decision to take out glass insurance depends on your individual living situation and risk tolerance. If you own expensive glass installations such as a conservatory, large panoramic windows, or a high-quality glass shower cabin, coverage might be worthwhile. The costs for glass insurance are often low compared to the potential damage; you can get household glass insurance from just 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 deductible.
Consider the risk of glass breakage in your household. Do children or pets live with you? Then the likelihood of accidents increases. Compare the additional costs for the glass add-on with the potential repair costs. A new ceramic hob can quickly cost several hundred euros. A broken insulating glass pane of a window can cost over 500 euros including installation. The distinction between contents and building insurance is also relevant here. For tenants, household glass insurance for furniture and possibly self-installed elements like a shower cabin is primarily of interest. Owners should also consider building glass insurance for permanently installed parts. In the next section, we will go into details that are often overlooked.
Expert Depth: Understanding Contract Details and Key Exclusions
When taking out glass insurance, a close look at the insurance terms and conditions (often referred to as VGB or AGIB) is essential. This is where it is defined exactly what is covered and what exclusions apply. Typically, surface damages such as scratches, scuffs, or the clouding of insulating glass are not covered. Hollow glass items like vases, lamps, or drinking glasses are also usually excluded. Photovoltaic systems are generally not covered by standard glass insurance and often require separate protection.
Our expert tip: Pay attention to clauses regarding gross negligence. Many modern policies waive the objection of gross negligence, which can be beneficial to you in the event of a claim. Also, clarify whether the costs for emergency glazing, disposal, and potentially necessary scaffolding are covered. The combination of home contents and building insurance with a single provider can simplify claims processing. A recent judgment by the LG Wuppertal (Case No. 16 S 104/15) confirmed that the obligation of a commercial tenant to take out glass insurance can be permissible.
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 you're cooking and it shatters, this is a case for glass insurance as an addition to your home 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 your buildings insurance applies, as the door is fixed to the building. Another example for the home contents glass insurance: A costly glass cabinet tips over and the panes shatter.
Here is a list of typical incidents and the responsible glass insurance:
Broken windowpane caused by playing children (addition to buildings insurance).
Crack in the glass ceramic cooktop from a fallen object (addition to home contents insurance).
Damaged glass shower cabin (depending on construction and contract, home contents or buildings glass insurance).
Breakage of a wardrobe mirror pane (addition to home contents insurance).
Glass breakage in a conservatory due to hail (addition to buildings insurance, provided natural disaster cover does not already apply).
Documentation of damage for the insurance is crucial. Photos and a detailed description help expedite settlement. You should be well acquainted with the benefits of the home contents insurance and the buildings insurance. Now we summarise the most important points for you.
Optimal protection: Making the right choice for your needs
The decision on whether glass insurance for household contents or buildings—or both—is worthwhile depends on many factors. For tenants, glass insurance as an addition to household insurance is often sufficient to protect personal furniture and potentially 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 elemental damage insurance can also be an essential addition. The cost of glass insurance is often manageable; for example, coverage for a detached house can be possible for under 50 euros per year.
Carefully review your existing contracts. Sometimes, a certain level of glass protection is already included, though often only for specific hazards. Individual advice can help identify coverage gaps and find the appropriate protection. Remember that premiums can vary depending on living space, type of glazing, and chosen deductible. A deductible of, for instance, 150 euros can significantly reduce the annual contribution. With this information, you can make an informed decision for your glass protection.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked for free and receive specific optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of glass insurance.
Gabler Wirtschaftslexikon provides a detailed definition of glass insurance in the context of business law.
Bundesanzeiger is the official platform for legal and economic publications in Germany, relevant for the legal framework of insurance.
FAQ
Which insurance covers a broken window pane?
In the case of a broken window pane, the glass insurance normally covers it as an addition to the home insurance, since windows are permanently attached to the building.
Is glass insurance sensible for tenants?
Yes, for tenants, glass insurance can be a beneficial addition to home contents insurance to cover damage to furniture glass (e.g., glass tables, mirrors, ceramic hobs) or self-installed glass surfaces such as shower enclosures.
What does glass insurance not cover?
Surface damage (scratches), hollow glass (vases, drinking glasses), optical glasses (spectacles), screens of electronic devices, and often photovoltaic systems are typically not covered.
Can I take out the glass insurance retrospectively?
Yes, in most cases, you can add glass insurance as an additional component to your existing household contents or building insurance.
What does furniture glazing and building glazing mean?
Furniture glazing refers to glass on movable furnishings such as tables, cabinets, or mirrors. Building glazing includes glass elements firmly attached to the structure such as windows, exterior doors, or conservatories. [4,__5__01_]
Does glass insurance also cover the costs for emergency glazing?
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.
