Your everyday shield

A comprehensive personal liability insurance policy covers a wide range of damages. This primarily includes personal injuries, such as medical costs, compensation for pain and suffering, or even pension payments if you injure another person. Property damage is also insured, meaning the costs for repair or replacement of damaged third-party items. Genuine financial losses that are not a direct result of personal injury or property damage (e.g., a freelancer losing income due to an internet outage caused by you) can also be covered. Coverage for rental property damage in rented living spaces is particularly relevant for tenants. Many policies also include the loss of private and sometimes professional keys, as well as damages from internet use, such as data loss or copyright infringements for personal use. Pay attention to the exact scope of your nextsure tariff.

Despite the broad coverage, there are standard exclusions in private liability insurance. Damages that you intentionally cause are generally not covered. Likewise, damages to your own belongings or to items owned by people living in the same household are usually excluded. Financial penalties, fines, or similar sanctions are not covered. For damages related to the use of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle liability insurance is responsible. Damages arising from professional, operational, or commercial activities require separate professional or business liability insurance. In the case of damages caused by dogs or horses, the animal owner's liability insurance generally applies, as this is not standardly included in private liability insurance for larger animals (small animals like cats are often included).

The choice of the right insurance sum (cover amount) is crucial for your comprehensive protection. Experts and consumer advocates recommend a general cover amount of at least 10 million euros for personal, property, and financial damages. Given the potentially high costs, especially in cases of personal injury with lifelong pension commitments, a sum of 50 million euros or higher is advisable and often only negligibly more expensive. Choosing an insurance sum that is too low can lead to underinsurance in the event of a claim, meaning you would have to cover the difference out of your own pocket. Nextsure offers you tariffs with high, needs-based cover amounts to protect you from existential financial risks.

Modern personal liability insurance can be tailored to your needs with sensible additional components. One of the most important extensions is default cover: it steps in if a third party causes you damage but is unable to pay and is not covered by liability insurance. The loss of private and professional keys (including code cards) can also result in significant costs and should be covered. Damage to borrowed, rented, or leased items (beyond mere rental property damage) can also be an important component. So-called courtesy damages, which you cause during voluntary assistance, are not always automatically insured. There are also specific clauses for the private operation of drones, or a separate drone liability insurance may be required. nextsure will be happy to advise you on which additional components are recommended for your life situation.

The private liability insurance is a fundamental protection and indispensable for absolutely everyone—regardless of age, marital status, or profession. It is especially important for families, as children (including those not legally liable up to a certain age) are covered, and the protection applies to all persons living in the household. Singles also benefit because even minor carelessness in everyday life can quickly lead to high compensation claims. Owners of small animals such as cats or rabbits are usually covered by personal liability insurance; however, a separate liability insurance is necessary for dogs and horses. Renters necessarily need protection for rental property damage. Property owners should not forgo it either, as it covers residual risks that are not covered by building or landowner's liability insurance. Cyclists and recreational athletes are also well-advised, as damages during these activities are covered.

When comparing personal liability insurance tariffs, you should consider several criteria to find the optimal protection for your needs. Ensure you have a sufficiently high coverage amount - at least 10 million euros, preferably 50 million euros across the board for personal, property, and financial damage. Check the amount of the deductible: a tariff without a deductible is often only slightly more expensive but saves you costs in the event of a claim. The scope of benefits is crucial: Are important risks such as key loss (private/professional), claim failure coverage, damages due to acts of courtesy, internet damages, and rental property damages comprehensively covered? Take a close look at the exclusions. Ideally, the scope of coverage should be worldwide, at least for temporary stays abroad. Finally, the service quality of the insurer also plays a role, especially in the event of a claim. nextsure offers you transparent tariffs and expert digital advice to find the right coverage.

Even with the utmost caution, an incident can occur. It is important to stay calm and proceed in a structured manner. Report the incident immediately to your private liability insurance - with nextsure, you can do this conveniently online or by phone. Very important: Do not make any admission of guilt to the injured party or third party, either verbally or in writing, before you have spoken to us. Document the course of the incident and the resulting damage as detailed as possible, for example, by taking photos, sketches, and noting witness statements. Write down the full contact details of the injured party and any witnesses. Gather all relevant documents, such as repair quotes or medical certificates, and submit them to us. nextsure is at your side throughout the entire process and supports you in the quick and fair settlement of the claim.

No, in Germany there is no general legal obligation to take out private liability insurance, unlike, for example, with motor vehicle liability insurance. Nevertheless, it is considered one of the most important types of insurance overall, as under § 823 BGB you are liable for any damages you cause to others with your entire private assets, without limit.