How does the Home Add-On for legal insurance differ from liability insurance and home contents insurance?
If you’re renting a home in Germany, you might hear about legal insurance, liability insurance, and home contents insurance. But it’s not always clear what each one covers.
Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand what each policy does, and when the Home Add-On for legal insurance can be especially helpful in dealing with landlord issues.
What does legal insurance with the Home Add-On cover?
Legal insurance is about protecting your rights as a tenant, not your belongings or the property itself. When you add the Home Add-On to your Feather legal insurance, it can cover legal disputes related to your rental, such as:
Problems getting your security deposit returned
Rent reduction claims if your apartment has ongoing issues
Contract disputes (e.g., unfair clauses or sudden changes in terms)
Neglect from the landlord
Disputes with property management companies
Example: If you’ve been without heating or hot water for weeks and your landlord isn’t responding, legal insurance with the Home Add-On could help you get legal advice, and cover the cost of hiring a lawyer if needed.
How is this different from liability insurance?
Liability insurance covers accidental damage you cause to someone else’s property, including your rental.
It helps in situations like:
You accidentally crack the bathroom sink or damage a built-in kitchen counter
You lose the keys to the apartment and need to replace the lock
You cause water damage to the apartment below (e.g., from an overflowing bathtub)
It’s not about contracts or rent, it’s about damage or loss you’re responsible for, and potentially paying to for the repairs or replacement.
What about home contents insurance?
Home contents insurance (also called household insurance or Hausratversicherung) protects your personal belongings (like furniture, electronics, clothing, or bikes) from risks such as:
Fire
Water damage
Theft or break-ins
Storm damage
It doesn’t cover legal disputes, landlord issues, or damage to the building itself.
When should renters consider adding the Home Add-On to legal insurance?
If you’re renting in Germany and want protection against potential problems with your landlord, adding the Home Add-On is a smart step. It gives you access to legal advice and cost coverage if a dispute arises, including:
Filing claims
Negotiating settlements
Lawyer fees and court costs
It’s especially helpful if you’ve experienced (or want to be prepared for) unresponsive landlords, sudden rent increases, or problems with deposit refunds.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help. If you’re unsure which insurance you need, or whether your current coverage includes the Home Add-On, feel free to reach out to our team.