home contents insurance is considered comprehensive protection for everything in the apartment. Television, furniture, clothing, electronics – everything is covered, right?

Not quite. The insurance only pays out for certain causes of damage. Many damages that actually happen in everyday life are not automatically covered.

And many people only realize this after the damage has already been done.

1. Simply lost or broken by the user

Classic scenarios: phone falls, laptop breaks, or items get lost during a move.

However,
household insurance only pays out in the event of insured incidents such as:

• Fire

• tap water

• Storm and hail

• Burglary

• Robbery or vandalism following a break-in

Ordinary accidents or losses are not covered by insurance.

2. Bicycle theft without additional module

Many people believe that bicycles are automatically covered by household insurance.

In reality, the following usually applies:

• Protection only against theft from locked rooms

• Theft outdoors is often only covered with additional insurance

• common compensation limits

This can quickly become expensive, especially with expensive e-bikes.

3. Natural hazard damage without additional insurance

Heavy rain, flooding or backflow are increasing – but these types of damage are often missing from the contract.

Without additional coverage for natural hazards, household insurance often does not pay out in the following cases:

• flooding

• Heavy rain

• Backflow from the sewer system

• Landslides or avalanches

Many only notice this gap after an extreme weather event.

4. Theft without burglary

If no break-in can be proven, it becomes problematic.

Examples:

• Basement or garage not locked

• Window tilted

• Apartment door not locked

• Items disappear from the hallway or garden

In the absence of signs of forced entry, insurers often refuse to pay out.

5. Underinsurance – damage is only partially paid

If the sum insured is set too low, the insurance company often only pays for damages proportionally.

Example:
Insured household contents value: €30,000
Actual value: €60,000
Damage: €10,000

The insurance company might then only pay €5,000.

Many people never check the value of their household contents – and only realize it when damage occurs.

Why household damage claims are often rejected

Common causes:

• Contract details never checked

• Additional components are missing

• Underinsurance exists

• Cause of damage incorrectly stated

• missing evidence of ownership or value

Many rejections result from misunderstandings or unclear damage reports.

What to do if your home insurance doesn't pay out?

Important: Rejection does not automatically mean that there is no claim.

Often helpful:

• Please formulate the damage report more precisely

• Submit missing documents later

• Clearly explain the sequence of events leading to the damage

• Have the decision reviewed

Risk-BOT supports consumers with damage reports, helps to make rejection letters understandable and shows possible next steps.

Conclusion

Home contents insurance protects against major risks – but not against every everyday problem. Knowing the typical gaps in coverage can help avoid surprises in the event of a claim.