Personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung) typically covers a range of situations where you might be held legally responsible for causing injury or damage to someone else's property.
Here are some common examples:
Accidental property damage: If you unintentionally damage someone else's property, such as breaking a neighbor's window or spilling a drink on their expensive rug, your liability insurance can cover the costs of repair or replacement.
Bodily injury: If you accidentally injure someone, like causing a pedestrian to trip or accidentally knocking someone over while cycling, your policy can cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, or legal fees if a lawsuit is filed against you.
Pets*: If your pet causes harm to someone or damages their property, like biting a passerby or damaging a visitor's belongings, your insurance would cover those costs.
Legal defence: If you're sued for an incident covered by the policy, your insurance can cover legal defence fees, including lawyer fees and court costs.
Financial losses: If your neighbor has to stay in a hotel due to your negligence, such as accidentally leaving a tap running and causing water damage to their apartment, your insurance will reimburse them.
Bad debt cover**: If someone else has damaged your property or accidentally caused you harm, but isn't insured and can’t pay for the damage, your insurance may cover some of the debt they owe you.
It's important to thoroughly review the policy details to understand specific coverage limits, exclusions, and any additional features or riders available to tailor the insurance to your needs.
* Excluded are dogs and horses as they need their own liability policies.
** For compensation to be granted, it's required that the individual is declared insolvent by a judge.