Whether through carelessness, accidents, or forgetfulness, if you cause damage, you are legally responsible for it.

Compensation rights of the injured party:

• Costs to repair or replace damaged property

• Consequential losses, such as lost use of an item

• Medical treatment costs and lost earnings if a person is injured

• Pain and suffering compensation; in cases of permanent injury, even a lifelong pension

You are liable with your entire assets
Not all liability cases are minor, like a broken window during a football game or a spilled glass of wine on a neighbor’s carpet. Damages can be so high that they threaten your financial stability.

As the responsible party, you are liable with all your assets: property, bank accounts, income, and even potential inheritance can be accessed to cover claims.

This is why private liability insurance is essential, providing protection for your financial security.

Private liability insurance protects you and your family from potentially ruinous claims for damages. The insurer first assesses whether and to what extent you are liable. If the claim is valid, the insurer pays the financial compensation required to make amends.

Key benefits:

• Covers damages caused by your home, as long as you live in it

• Spouses and children are automatically insured

• Coverage applies during temporary stays abroad

Defense against unjustified claims
The insurer also defends against unfounded claims. If a legal dispute arises over a claim, the insurer handles the process and covers the costs, effectively providing a type of legal protection for liability disputes.

Exclusions:

• Damages between co-insured family members

• Intentionally caused damages

• Fines, penalties, or contractual obligations (e.g., loan repayments)

• Damages involving motor vehicles—these require mandatory KFZ liability insurance

Private liability insurance therefore offers comprehensive financial and legal protection for everyday life, while certain risks require specialized coverage.

Primary coverage:

• The policyholder is always insured, as the contract holder with all associated rights and obligations.

• Family members, including spouses and children, are automatically covered.

Extended coverage:

• Even if you are not married, your life partner can be included in the policy by adding their name to the contract.

• Coverage extends to household and garden helpers as well as babysitters. For example, if a neighbor is injured due to the negligence of your babysitter, the liability insurance generally covers the claim.

Seamless protection in case of death:

• If the policyholder dies, coverage continues for family members until the next premium is due.

• If the surviving partner pays the next premium, they automatically become the policyholder, ensuring uninterrupted protection.

Insurance requires an investment, but foregoing private liability coverage carries a high risk. Accidents and mishaps are unpredictable and unavoidable.

To avoid being personally liable for potentially high compensation claims, a solid liability policy is essential. A standard private liability insurance for you and your family is available for an annual premium of under €100, providing comprehensive protection and peace of mind.

The risks covered by private liability insurance are often underestimated. Even a small lapse in attention can cause major damage, and serious accidents can happen quickly:

• Traffic accidents: For example, rushing across a street despite a red light to catch a bus can result in an accident. Liability insurance covers the resulting damages.

• Personal injury: Colliding with another cyclist and injuring them can lead to costly claims if you are uninsured.

Children often cause damage

• Kids cannot fully foresee the consequences of their actions. Careless play with a lighter could potentially start a fire in an apartment building. In such cases, the property owner’s insurance may seek reimbursement from the parents.

• Even minor incidents can be expensive: a football kicked onto a shop’s window during street play can cause significant repair costs.

Private liability insurance protects against these everyday risks, providing financial security for both adults and children.

Which liability coverage do you need?
A comprehensive private liability insurance is usually sufficient for everyday life. Coverage typically extends to:

• Cycling, skating, and common recreational sports

Special cases requiring separate insurance:

• Cars, motorcycles, mopeds, etc.: Mandatory motor vehicle liability insurance

• Sailboats or motorboats: Sport boat liability insurance

• Horses, dogs, and other large animals: Animal owner liability insurance

Special liability for landlords and builders:

• Owners of multi-family houses, single-family rental properties, or undeveloped land need a house and landowner liability insurance

• For small construction projects (up to ~€50,000), damages related to the building work are usually covered by the builder’s private liability insurance

• For larger projects, a separate builder’s liability insurance is required

This ensures you have appropriate protection for both everyday risks and specialized responsibilities.