Burglary: Who pays for the damage and how to best protect yourself
23 May 2025
12
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A burglary is a shock that leaves not only emotional but also financial traces. Find out which insurance provides coverage in different situations and how to successfully assert your claims.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Home contents insurance primarily covers stolen items and damage to inventory following a break-in.
Gross negligence, such as a tilted window, can jeopardise or reduce insurance coverage.
An immediate report to the police and insurance company, along with detailed damage documentation, is crucial for claims adjustment.
Immediate actions after a break-in: Acting correctly secures claims
The shock after a burglary runs deep. Nevertheless, swift and proper action is crucial to protect your claims with the insurance company. Immediately inform the police via the emergency number 110, even before altering anything at the crime scene. Do not enter the property if you suspect the intruders might still be present. Report the damage promptly, ideally within a few days, to your household insurance and, if applicable, your building insurance.
Create a detailed list of all stolen or damaged items, known as the stolen goods list. Both the police and your insurance need this. Carefully document all damages and signs of the break-in with photos. Furthermore, immediately block all stolen cards (debit cards, credit cards) and SIM cards to prevent further misuse. Correctly reporting a claim is the first step towards settlement.
Home contents insurance: The core protection against burglary
Household insurance is the key component when it comes to who pays in the event of a burglary. It usually covers the replacement value of stolen or damaged movable items due to the burglary. This includes furniture, clothing, electronics, as well as cash or jewellery, often subject to compensation limits. For cash, this is often between 1,000 and 2,500 Euros. Damage caused by vandalism during the burglary is also typically covered.
The following points are typically covered by household insurance:
Theft of household items at their replacement value.
Repair costs for damaged household items.
Damage caused by vandalism in connection with the burglary.
Possibly hotel costs if the home is temporarily uninhabitable.
Damage to the doors and windows of the home (often also covered by household insurance).
Note the limits for valuables, which often stand at 15 to 25 percent of the total insurance sum. A precise understanding of what the household insurance includes is essential. The household insurance may also apply if something is stolen from your locked hotel room while on holiday, usually for stays up to three months. This so-called external insurance also has compensation limits.
Home building insurance: Protection for the building itself
While the contents insurance protects the interior, the building insurance is responsible for damage to fixed building components. This includes, for example, broken doors, smashed windows, or damaged walls. Not all building insurance automatically covers burglary damage; sometimes this is an additional component. It is advisable for homeowners to take out both contents and building insurance, ideally with the same provider, in order to avoid competency disputes in the event of a claim.
The building insurance can cover the following costs:
Repair or replacement of damaged doors and windows.
Restoration of damaged masonry.
Costs for necessary security measures after the burglary.
Make sure you understand the difference between building and contents insurance to be optimally protected. Check your policy carefully to see if burglary damage and vandalism to the building are explicitly included.
Gross negligence: When insurance coverage is at risk
An important aspect when considering who pays in case of a break-in is the concept of gross negligence. If this is present, the insurance can reduce or even completely refuse the payout. It is considered grossly negligent, for example, if windows were left ajar when leaving the home or the door was not locked over an extended period. Even a key hidden under the doormat can be deemed grossly negligent.
Some insurers offer policies that waive the objection of gross negligence. This may involve an additional fee but provides more security in serious cases. A judgment from the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) on 5 July 2023 (Ref. IV ZR 118/22) confirmed that an insurance company does not have to pay if a break-in occurred with a key that was lost due to the insured's negligence and the policy excludes this. Learn more about gross negligence in home contents insurance in our blog. Therefore, always lock all windows and doors carefully, even if you are only absent for a short time.
Special Case Rental Apartment: Who Bears Which Costs?
In the event of a burglary in a rental apartment, the question of responsibility often arises. The general rule is: the tenant's household insurance covers damage to their property. However, for damage to the rental premises itself, such as doors, windows, or apartment walls, the landlord is typically responsible and can cover these through their residential building insurance. The landlord has the duty to repair such damages.
However, if the tenant facilitated the burglary by neglecting their duty of care (e.g., left windows open), the landlord may potentially make claims for damages. Clear communication between tenant and landlord is important after a burglary to quickly determine responsibilities. Tenants should promptly inform their landlord about the burglary and any damage caused to the building.
Prevention: Effective burglary protection reduces risk and costs
The best protection against the financial and emotional consequences of a burglary is effective prevention. Mechanical security measures on doors and windows, such as cross-bolt locks or mushroom head locks, make it significantly harder for burglars to gain access. More than 46 percent of attempted burglaries are abandoned if intruders cannot enter within five minutes. Alarm systems can also act as a deterrent and alert help in an emergency. Some insurers reward good burglary protection measures with premium discounts.
Further tips on prevention:
Close windows, balcony, and patio doors even if you're only going to be away for a short time.
Lock your front or apartment door with a double lock if possible.
Do not hide keys outside.
Ask neighbours to empty the post box and adjust blinds if you're away for an extended period.
Post holiday pictures on social media only after you return.
Take advantage of grants, such as the KfW subsidy 455-E for burglary protection measures. [-ö1.600.]
Our expert tip: A combination of mechanical security and alert behaviour often offers the best protection. Also, consider contents insurance if you run a business from home. A locksmith service for emergencies should also be chosen with care.
Claims Processing: How to Proceed and Enforce Your Rights
After you have informed the police and your insurance, the actual process of handling the claim begins. Submit the list of stolen items and all documents (purchase receipts, photos, if applicable, valuations) to your insurance company as soon as possible. The insurance will assess your case and may send an assessor. Keep any damaged items until the insurance agrees to their disposal.
If the insurance reduces or denies the benefits, carefully review the reasons provided. In case of discrepancies, you can file an objection or contact an insurance arbitration board. In complex cases, consulting with a specialist lawyer for insurance law may also be advisable. Comprehensive documentation and cooperation with the insurance are crucial for a swift and fair settlement. Remember, the clearance rate for burglaries often sits below 20 percent, making the insurance the primary point of contact for financial compensation.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed for free and receive concrete suggestions for optimization.
More useful links
K-EINBRUCH offers comprehensive security tips for burglary prevention.
Polizei-Beratung provides detailed information on technical security measures against burglaries.
Wikipedia offers a general overview of the topic of burglary.
FAQ
Who is liable in the event of a burglary if the door was not locked?
If the door was only pulled to and not locked, the insurance can assume gross negligence and reduce or deny the benefit, especially if you were absent for a longer period. Some policies offer protection even in the case of gross negligence, but this is not standard.
What is the difference between burglary and simple theft?
Burglary requires the perpetrator to have gained entry by force (e.g., breaking doors/windows). Simple theft occurs when items are taken without overcoming obstacles (e.g., from an open bag). Home contents insurance generally only covers burglary.
Does the insurance also cover attempted break-ins?
Yes, even an attempted break-in can cause damage (e.g. to doors or windows). The household insurance or building insurance can cover these repair costs, even if nothing was stolen. Also report any attempt to the police and your insurance.
How do I prove the value of stolen items?
Keep receipts, certificates (especially for jewellery), photos or videos of your valuables. Witness statements can also be helpful. An up-to-date inventory list is also very useful.
Does the insurance cover the costs for a security service after a break-in?
If your home can no longer be adequately secured after a break-in (e.g., door heavily damaged), some home insurance policies may cover the costs of a necessary security service until repairs are made. Please check your policy terms for details.
What happens if I am underinsured during a burglary?
Underinsurance occurs when the agreed insurance sum is lower than the actual value of your household contents. In the event of damage, the insurer may then proportionally reduce the compensation. Make sure to correctly determine the insurance sum.
