The snow dances softly down on Berlin's winter night. Every other house is decorated with colorful lights, fires dance in the occasional fireplace. Outside, the wind sweeps through the streets. The light from the lanterns is reflected by the frost.
But the cold also creeps into the pipes of the buildings. Hail knocks on the windows and the first snow makes the front door very slippery. At these moments, the importance of household contents and liability all the more clear. They protect the belongings of tenants and owners - both in the event of damage caused by themselves and by third parties.
Everyday winter worries and home insurance
In the cold season, the challenges challenges for property owners and tenants in Berlin in Berlin are particularly noticeable. We are reminded that comprehensive insurance should have been considered long ago:
The house or also home insurance protects owners against damage to the building: Facades, roofs, built-up floors, etc.
The liability insurance has your back in the event of third-party damage: if a roof tile comes loose when Rudolf botches the landing on the roof, Santa doesn't need to worry.
Burglary, theft or burst pipes - the household contents insurance is relevant for all tenants or owner-occupiers in order to protect valuable possessions.
Once upon a time there was household contents insurance
As the days get shorter and darker, the risk of damage in the home increases: a candlestick tips over and starts a fire. The fire quickly spreads to the Christmas presents. This hasn't happened to you yet? We still remember grandma's saying: "Don't leave the room alone for 5 minutes when the fire is on!" - and, of course, better safe than sorry.
The Household contents insurance covers damage to personal property caused, for example, by:
- Fire, water, storm or hail - so-called natural hazards
- Burglary and vandalism, which occur more frequently during the Christmas period
- Power surges - e.g. if the fairy lights on the Christmas tree are partying too much and the electronics in the home are too old. Then you should also generally consider refurbishment or modernization modernization in the house.
So if the worst comes to the worst, you are covered in the event of an accident in your own home: With a household contents insurance, the stolen or damaged items can be reimbursed - depending depending on the sum insured.
The luck of liability insurance
Household contents insurance covers damage to your own belongings. But if you've borrowed your neighbor's KitchenAid for the Christmas season, liability insurance is your best friend. Because if the expensive kitchen appliance breaks, you are with liability insurance for damage to the property of third parties. This generally includes
- Personal injury (injuries),
- property damage (damage to or destruction of third-party goods) and
- Financial losses (financial losses that do not result from bodily injury or property damage).
The Liability is therefore recommended for both tenants and owners. If you rent out apartments in your property, you as the owner could be held liable for damage caused to other people on your property. For example, due to accidents caused by slippery roads outside your front door.
Liability insurance is also particularly important for pet owners. It can cover scratches or damage caused by the pet.
What is the difference between household contents and liability?
During the Christmas season, many presents accumulate at home. These may include valuable and expensive surprises. During this time the rate of burglaries increasesespecially if you take a little time out and go on a trip. If you come home and your valuables are no longer there, household contents insurance can household contents insurance can compensate you for the value of your possessions (depending on the sum insured).
Damage to the residential building, on the other hand, falls under liability insurance. Many people buy a Christmas tree in a pot at Christmas time, for example.
If he leaves a water stain on the parquet floor when watering, you could be lucky and be insured for the costs.
The difference between household contents and liability is the scope of protection:
- Household contents insurance covers damage to the insured person's personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics or clothing, in the event of events such as theft, fire or water damage.
- Liability insurance, on the other hand, offers protection if the insured person is responsible for damage to third-party property.
Are household contents and liability insurance compulsory? Both types of insurance are not compulsory in Germany, but are highly recommended
And if they haven't died ... Advantages of a household contents and liability combination
A household contents and liability combination is not only practical, but can also be cost-effective. It covers several risks in one package, which means that many insurers offer discounts or improved conditions. It also simplifies administrative work and communication in the event of a claim, as only one contact person is responsible for both areas of insurance.
If you want to take out combined household contents and liability insurance, the insurer often adds a bonus to the price. This is why combined insurance is often attractive for young people and their first home.
Here we have put together an overview of the differences between household contents and liability insurance and the advantages of combined insurance - to download:
What if Santa gets stuck in the chimney?
What a mishap! How do we get him out of it? To find a solution, the first thing to think about is this: How often is the chimney actually serviced? In Germany, annual inspections are mandatory. A well-maintained heating system and a clean chimney ensure that not only Santa Claus but also the heat flows smoothly through the house. With a bit of bad luck, the chimney sweep has already been there this year and can't get Santa out now. So we have to do it ourselves.
Well, and what if there is damage? This is where the real heroes of the Christmas season come in: Household contents and liability insurance. Household contents insurance covers damage to your possessions, while liability insurance protects you against third-party claims - in case Santa gets hurt by your chimney. So despite all the obstacles, Christmas remains a happy occasion!
What if the Christmas tree is on fire?
For many, candles are as much a part of the Christmas season as milk is to cookies. However, the GDV (German Insurance Association) reports: "The number of fires around fires around Christmas and New Year's Eve are on average 35 to 50 percent higher than during the rest of the year." So if you want to decorate your Christmas tree with candles, you should be particularly careful with a tightly needled tree. If there is a small fire, then:
- Keep calm
- Extinguish fire
For rapid spread:
- Switch off the power to nearby electrical appliances
- Leave the room and slow down the spread of the fire
- Call the fire department
The household contents insurance covers any damage.
What if the sleigh gets stuck in front of the door?
How well is your property protected against the pitfalls of winter? Property owners are generally obliged to ensure safe access routes. This means regularly clearing snow and gritting when it is icy to prevent falls and accidents. If a tenant slips in front of the front door - i.e. on your property - your liability insurance.
As you can see, there are plenty of examples to show how important liability and household contents are. Invest a little time and take out insurance. Then you will have reliable financial protection if the worst comes to the worst.
