Personal liability insurance covers accidental damage or injury you cause to others, but several categories are excluded. Damage to your own belongings, deliberate acts, motor vehicle incidents, and professional activities are generally not covered. Some exceptions apply — such as small freelance work under €15,000 annual turnover — and separate policies exist for dogs, glass damage, and household contents.
Does personal liability insurance cover damage to my own belongings?
Personal liability insurance only covers damage you accidentally cause to other people or their property, it does not cover your own belongings. Damage to, or loss of, your own property can in some cases be covered under Household contents insurance.
What damage in a rented apartment is not covered by personal liability insurance?
Personal liability insurance covers accidental damage to your landlord's property, such as a spilled drink on the carpet or a cracked tile. However, several types of damage in a rented space are excluded:
Glass damage, such as broken windows or glass doors (Household contents insurance offers separate glass coverage as an add-on)
Wear and tear, or damage caused by excessive use
Cosmetic repairs - repainting walls, filling nail holes, or touching up paint when moving out
Mold or mildew growth
Damage to heating systems, boilers, or water heaters
Locksmith call-out costs if you lock yourself out of the property
If you lose a key belonging to your landlord or another third party, the cost of replacing the locks may be covered — but the locksmith's fee to let you back inside is not.
Are dogs and horses covered under personal liability insurance?
Damage caused by dogs and horses is not included in standard personal liability insurance. If you own a dog or horse, you'll need a separate animal owner liability policy; Feather offers dog liability insurance. Small pets such as cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs are covered under personal liability insurance.
Does personal liability insurance cover damage caused while driving?
Damage caused while driving a car, motorcycle, e-scooter or other motor vehicle is covered by motor vehicle liability insurance, not personal liability insurance. As a narrow exception, certain non-driving incidents involving a borrowed vehicle — such as accidentally putting in the wrong fuel — may be covered, but driving-related damage is generally excluded.
Are deliberate acts covered by personal liability insurance?
Personal liability insurance only covers accidents, not intentional acts. If you or anyone else listed on your policy deliberately causes damage or injury to another person or their property, the policy provides no coverage.
Does personal liability insurance cover work-related or freelance activities?
Personal liability insurance covers the risks of everyday private life, not professional or business activities. Damage that occurs in connection with your job is generally excluded. One exception applies to small freelance activities — such as tutoring, photography, dog sitting, or hairdressing — which can be included in your coverage as long as your annual turnover from those activities stays under €15,000.
Are fines, penalties, or punitive damages covered by personal liability insurance?
Fines and penalties are not covered by personal liability insurance. This includes fines issued by courts or public bodies, penalties arising from contracts, and punitive or exemplary damages.
Why is it important to review personal liability insurance policy details?
Policy details vary by insurer and may include specific coverage limits, exclusions, and additional features or riders. Reviewing these details helps ensure the insurance matches your individual needs and covers relevant risks.