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Moving Out? These Are The Insurances You Really Need

Updated: Sep 3

Moving into your first apartment is an exciting milestone in life. However, amidst the excitement of apartment hunting, moving planning, and furnishing, many young adults overlook an important topic: proper insurance coverage. Yet unexpected events can quickly become an existential threat when income is low.


An average household spends around 133 euros per month on insurance, averaging 1,596 euros annually. This number may seem daunting at first, but the right insurance coverage protects you from financial disasters.


Der Auszug in die erste eigene Wohnung ist ein aufregender Meilenstein im Leben.

The most important rule of thumb for insurance coverage is: Imagine the greatest possible damage that an insurance would cover. If this damage couldn't be financed out of your own pocket, the insurance makes sense.


In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn everything about the most important insurances when moving out, what costs you'll face, and how to save money cleverly.


The 3 Most Important Insurances for Your First Apartment


1. Personal Liability Insurance - Protection from Financial Ruin


Personal liability insurance is without question the most important insurance for any adult. Everyone needs liability insurance because anyone who causes damage to another person is liable with their entire assets.


What Happens Without Liability Insurance?


An example illustrates the scope: If a cyclist accidentally hits a pedestrian who falls unluckily and is disabled for life, treatment costs, pain and suffering compensation, care costs, disability-accessible home modifications, and loss of earnings can add up to several million euros.


Benefits of Personal Liability Insurance


Complete coverage for:

  • Personal injury, property damage, and financial losses to third parties

  • Rental property damage in your rented apartment

  • Review and defense against unjustified claims for damages

  • Coverage of attorney and court costs


Special Features for Students and Apprentices


When are you still covered under your parents' insurance?


As a rule, you're automatically protected under your parents' family liability insurance until age 25. It doesn't matter whether you still live at home, in your own apartment, in a shared flat, or in student housing. However, the prerequisite is that you're still in school education (university studies or vocational training).


Costs and Coverage Amount


  • Costs: You can get personal liability insurance from about 30 to 40 € per year. Students usually get a more affordable rate.


  • Recommended coverage amount: Stiftung Warentest recommends a coverage amount of at least 10 million euros for personal injury and property damage combined.


2. Contents Insurance - Protection for Your Belongings


Contents insurance for your first apartment protects all movable objects in your apartment from various dangers.


What Counts as Contents?


Contents insurance covers all objects that serve daily life. Simply put: All movable objects that belong to you are contents - including:


  • Furniture and furnishings

  • Clothing and personal items

  • Electronic devices (laptop, TV, smartphone)

  • Kitchen equipment

  • Valuables like cash or jewelry (limited)


Standard protection includes:

  • Fire, lightning, explosion, or implosion

  • Burglary, theft, and vandalism

  • Storm (from force 8) and hail

  • Water damage and power surges


When You Don't Need Contents Insurance


However, if your first apartment is more of a "student pad" furnished mainly with pallets or filled with junk boxes, you can certainly do without contents insurance. You should calculate how valuable your belongings really are and then decide.


Contents Insurance Costs


Simple calculation for insurance sum: To optimally insure your household, a coverage amount of 650 € per square meter is recommended.


Example calculation for 40 sqm apartment:

  • 40 sqm × 650 € = 26,000 € insurance sum

  • Annual premium: approx. 60-120 € (depending on provider and location)


3. Legal Protection Insurance - Protection from Attorney Costs


Legal protection insurance can be particularly useful for tenants, even though it's not among the absolutely necessary insurances.


Disputes with neighbors are not an unrealistic scenario. Such conflicts often go so far that a visit to a lawyer or even court becomes necessary.


Benefits of Legal Protection Insurance

  • Coverage of attorney and court costs

  • Rental law disputes with landlords

  • Neighborhood disputes

  • Traffic legal protection

  • Employment legal protection

  • Counseling and mediation in conflicts


Legal protection is a recommendation, but not an absolute must for young tenants. However, it's always worth considering – regardless of age.


Optional Insurances: What You Can Save On


Glass Insurance - Only Useful in Special Cases


For apartments with many glass inserts in doors or large windows, taking out this insurance can make sense. But also with furnishings with many glass or mirror elements or a stove with ceramic cooktop, it's good to be covered for damages.


But be careful: Glass insurances are primarily one thing: expensive. The multitude of small claims that are settled in this sector drive up administrative costs.


Unnecessary Insurances When Moving Out


  • Phone insurance: Usually expensive with poor benefits

  • Travel luggage insurance: Travel luggage insurances are usually expensive and only apply if insured parties meet strict requirements

  • Glasses insurance: Rarely worthwhile

  • Passenger accident insurance: Car owners don't need passenger accident insurance, as passengers are covered by the driver's motor liability insurance


Special Situations When Moving Out


Shared Apartment (WG): Consider Special Regulations


For shared apartments, you should consider:

  • Individual insurances vs. group insurance

  • It's similar with shared apartments. A special regulation in the policy is recommended for this.

  • Clarify liability between roommates


Moving with Partner: Joint Insurances


Options for couples:

  • If you move in with your partner, you can use a joint liability policy. But beware: Most insurances exclude mutual coverage.


Save Money on Insurance: 7 Proven Strategies


1. Use Deductibles Cleverly


Lower insurance premiums are possible if a deductible (also called excess) is agreed upon.


Where deductibles make sense:

  • Contents insurance: 150-300 € deductible

  • Legal protection insurance: 150-500 € deductible


Where you should avoid them:

  • Liability insurance: There are affordable rates without deductibles


2. Choose Annual Payment


Those who pay their insurance premium annually save – depending on the insurer, about up to five percent less premium when the contract is switched from monthly to annual payment.


3. Use Student Discounts


Special rates for:

  • Students and apprentices

  • Career starters under 25 years

  • Sometimes up to 50% discount possible


4. Prefer Online Rates


  • Online offers are often 15-20% cheaper

  • No commission for intermediaries

  • Direct contact with the insurer


5. Compare and Switch Regularly


Important cancellation periods:

  • Usually 3 months before contract end

  • Special cancellation right for premium increases

  • Changing providers or rates can save money. Tests show that insured parties can sometimes pay several hundred euros less per year


6. Use Bundle Discounts


Multiple insurances with one provider:

  • Many insurers offer discounts if you take out multiple policies

  • Combinations of liability and contents insurance are particularly affordable

  • Attention: Still always compare total costs - sometimes separate providers are cheaper


7. Eliminate Unnecessary Benefits


Avoid unnecessary extras:

  • Avoid expensive additional modules you don't need

  • Regularly check if all benefits are still necessary

  • Cancel unnecessary policies consistently


Checklist: Optimally Plan Insurance When Moving Out


4 Weeks Before Moving Out


  • Check family liability: Are you still covered under your parents' insurance?

  • Get quotes: Compare at least 3 providers

  • Set coverage amounts: Liability at least 10 million €

  • Research student discounts: Special rates for young adults


2 Weeks Before Moving Out


  • Take out insurances: Liability is mandatory, contents as needed

  • Create contents inventory: Estimate value of all items

  • Study policies: Read and understand fine print

  • Optimize payment method: Annual payment saves money


After Moving Out


  • Report address change: To all existing insurances

  • Set up insurance folder: Collect all documents

  • Practice first claim report: Know contact details and procedures

  • Plan annual check: Regularly review rates and needs


When Life Changes


  • New roommates: Report WG situation to insurances

  • Valuable new purchases: Adjust insurance sum

  • Partnership: Check joint policies

  • Career start: Reassess insurance needs


Cost-Benefit Analysis: What Does Good Protection Cost?


Minimal Coverage for Budget-Conscious (approx. 50-80 € per year)


Just the essentials:

  • Personal liability insurance: 30-50 € annually

  • Contents only for more valuable furnishings: 60-120 € annually


Standard Protection for Most (approx. 100-200 € per year)


Recommended basic coverage:

  • Personal liability insurance (10 million €): 40-60 € annually

  • Contents insurance (medium furnishings): 80-150 € annually

  • Optional: Legal protection rental: 80-120 € annually


Premium Protection for Security-Conscious (approx. 200-350 € per year)


Comprehensive protection:

  • Top liability insurance with extras: 60-100 € annually

  • Comprehensive contents insurance: 120-200 € annually

  • Complete legal protection: 100-180 € annually

  • Glass insurance (if needed): 30-60 € annually


Conclusion: Insurance When Moving Out - Investment in Your Future


Moving into your first apartment marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. With the right insurance coverage, you create the foundation for financial security and can enjoy your new life worry-free.


The Most Important Insights Summarized:


  1. Liability insurance is essential - It protects against existential risks

  2. Contents insurance as needed - Depending on the value of your furnishings

  3. Legal protection as useful addition - Especially recommended for tenants

  4. Save cleverly through comparisons - Use online rates and student discounts

  5. Review regularly - Adapt insurances to life situation


Act now: Don't put off the topic of insurance. A single uninsured damage can jeopardize your financial future. With our guide, you're well-equipped for starting independent life.


Do you have questions about specific insurance products or want more money-saving tips? Get advice from independent consultants and compare different offers before you decide.



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Sources

Last update: July 2025 | All information without guarantee - Insurance terms may change

 
 
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