Review of the best personal liability insurances in Germany 2023 - including dog liability

How does personal liability insurance protect me when living in Germany?

Accidents happen! There is an easy way you can protect yourself against potentially ruinous damage claims. It's called personal liability insurance or Haftpflichtversicherung / Privathaftpflichtversicherung in Germany. Germans don't sue in case of a damage claim: they ask about your personal liability insurance.

If you damage somebody's health or property you can be liable for an unlimited amount even if it was an accident. Liability insurance pays if you harmed a person's health, damaged an object or caused financial losses. Up to 83% of German households have a personal liability insurance ^source.

Examples where you need liability insurance

• The neighbor in the apartment above a friend's place drilled a hole in the wall and hit a water pipe. The water leaked into the apartments below. The liability insurance paid for the renovation.
• Somebody spills a cup of coffee over a friend's laptop. In this case, the private liability insurance pays to repair the laptop.
• You run into a pedestrian with your bicycle and the person gets a broken leg. The private liability insurance pays any claims from the pedestrian's health insurance.

What damages are not covered by personal liability insurance in Germany?

The following are not covered by personal liability insurance:

• Any damage that happens to your things is not covered by your liability insurance.
• Damages caused by car accidents are covered by the car owner's mandatory vehicle liability insurance.
• Damage caused by your dog is not included in your personal liability insurance.
• Kids or other family members are not covered by your liability insurance unless the insurance plan explicitly says so. Ask for a family plan or Familienversicherung.

What to consider when choosing personal liability insurance

• The insurance should cover claims up to 10 million Euros.
• The insurance should cover the entire sum without deductibles.

Liability insurance for families and singles with English language support

*Getsafe is a much-recommended liability insurance plan in the German expat community with a full English support ^source.

Please also consider Feather as an insurance broker. They offer an *English language liability insurance plan for 4.94 Euro per month with coverage up to 50 million, zero deductible, option for coverage for the whole family and the best coverage in the market guarantee.

Compare prices for more *single liability insurance plans, *couple liability insurance plans or *family liability insurance plans. in the German language.

Best dog liability insurance plans with English language support

A dog is not covered by your personal liability insurance. Dog liability insurance is mandatory in many German cities and states like Berlin, Hamburg, Thüringen or Sachsen-Anhalt ^source.

Good dog liability insurance covers damage in your rental flat as well as any claims in case your dog makes another dog pregnant. Also, check whether your dog is protected during travel. Some dog liability insurance plans don't require that you use a leash.

Compare prices for more *dog liability insurance plans in the German language.

Summary: Which liability insurance is recommended?

Protect yourself for a small monthly fee against potential damage claims that could bankrupt you. Make sure to sign family members up as well. Dogs have to be insured separately.

Prices are not guaranteed. Please check the insurer's website for price updates.