Who pays in the event of water damage – contents insurance, building insurance, or liability insurance?

For damage to the building, the building insurance usually covers it; for your furniture and personal belongings, the contents insurance; and for damage you cause to others, usually your personal liability insurance. If in doubt, we will check this for you on a case-by-case basis.

Can I repair the water damage myself before reporting it?

Minor safety measures like turning off the water or mopping up spills are fine to prevent further damage. However, before you hire a tradesperson or dispose of anything, you should document the damage with photos and ideally speak to your insurance company or us first.

Will the insurance pay if I or my neighbor are at fault for the water damage?

It depends on the specific case. Often, the responsible person's liability insurance or the building insurance will cover the damage. We'll work with you to determine who the right contact person is and how to properly report the damage.

What happens if the insurance company rejects the water damage claim?

A rejection isn't automatically the end of the road. We'll analyze the rejection letter, your policy, and the circumstances of the claim with you and determine whether an appeal or further action is worthwhile.

Report water damage – without a hotline, using Risk-BOT

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Brand: Risk-BOT

Not all water damage is the same

Who pays depends on where the water came from and what damage was caused . Here are the three most common scenarios – including an insurance perspective.

Case 1

Water from above – neighbor, burst pipe & Co.

Water is dripping from the ceiling, the wall is wet, or the neighbor's bathroom is leaking. Classic problems in rented apartments and shared flats.

Often involved: Homeowner's and household contents insurance
Neighbors and landlords get nervous quickly – and unfortunately, so do insurers
Important: Stay calm, secure evidence, do not sign anything

Burst pipe in neighboring apartment, rental apartment / shared apartment

Case 2

Washing machine or dishwasher leaked

A burst hose, incorrectly connected, or simply left running: when technology makes water, it quickly becomes expensive.

The question of blame often decides everything: you, your roommate, or the landlord?
Focus: Personal liability and household insurance
A single incorrect statement in the report can cost money

Washing machine, dishwasher, liability insurance

Case 3

Pipe damage & hidden leaks

Damp spots, mold, wet baseboards – often a topic for home insurance and a subject of much discussion.

Buildings vs. household goods: everything that is "standing" vs. everything that is "permanently installed"
Well-documented damage is worth its weight in gold
We help bring the right parties on board

Mold in buildings vs. household contents for landlords

Unsure which case applies to you?
Simply send us a photo or a voice message of your water damage – we'll tell you which insurance option makes the most sense.
Send your photo now via WhatsApp

Who pays for water damage – short & honest

TikTok, neighbors, and "my friend said..." are all well and good – but the crucial question is: What's broken? And where is it located?

Home insurance

Responsible for everything that is permanently attached to the building: walls, floors, ceilings, pipes, permanently installed kitchen, sanitary facilities.

Typical contact person for burst pipes & water damage
Often handled through the landlord or owner
Important: Report any damage to the landlord immediately

Home contents insurance

Responsible for your personal belongings: furniture, clothing, technology, carpets, decorations – everything you would take with you when moving house.

Water damage to sofa, laptop, carpet, etc.
Photos and purchase receipts are particularly valuable here
We help with sorting and prioritizing

Personal liability insurance

If you (or someone in your family/flatshare) cause water damage to others. For example, by incorrectly connecting a washing machine.

Can cover damages to other people's property
But also check if you really have to pay
A clearly formulated damage report is crucial here

Risk-BOT Plain Talk:
If you don't know what insurance policies you actually have – no worries. Send us your policy or a photo of it, and we'll check who's responsible for your water damage claim .
Get your policy checked via WhatsApp

Reporting water damage: Checklist for the first 10 minutes

Before you panic or call anyone: These steps will ensure that your report is thorough and doesn't fail due to minor details.

1
Stop the water supply. Turn off the main water valve or switch off the appliance. Safety first.
2
Photograph the damage. Take photos and videos of the water damage before you start a major cleanup. Close-ups, overviews, the cause – take everything with you.
3
Document the cause. Hose, device, ceiling, pipe – briefly film or photograph what you see.
4
Inform your landlord/neighbors. Briefly let them know that you have water damage – details to follow.
5
Only wipe up what's absolutely necessary. Anything that prevents further damage is okay – but please don't throw anything away before you've documented it.
6
WhatsApp Risk-BOT. Send us photos, a voice message, and a brief description of what happened. We'll tell you how to properly report water damage .

Don't want to wait on hold?
You don't need to provide "perfect" information here. We'll document your water damage via WhatsApp and guide you step by step.
Checklist complete – get help now!

This is how your water damage claim will be handled with Risk-BOT

You don't need to become an insurance expert. You report your water damage like you would to a friend – we take care of the structure and communication.

1 Describe the damage

Photos & voice message via WhatsApp

Send us photos, videos, and a short voice message or text explaining what happened. Letters or messages from your insurance company are also welcome.

2 Assessment & Strategy

We'll tell you who pays and how to report it

We will review your case, your existing insurance policies, and tell you honestly which insurance company is responsible and what the realistic situation is.

3 Clean reporting & support

Formulations, evidence & follow-up questions

We help you with the actual damage report, with subsequent claims from the insurance company and with annoying follow-up questions – so that your water damage claim doesn't fail because of paperwork.

Report water damage with Risk-BOT

Real cases: Water damage – and yet no drama

No glossy advertising, but real situations where water was exactly where it shouldn't be – and Risk-BOT was in the chat.

Frequently Asked Questions: Reporting Water Damage

Water damage almost always raises the same questions. Here are the most important answers – without the legal jargon.

By when do I have to report water damage?

As soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours. The longer you wait, the easier it is for the insurance company to claim you've violated your obligations. If you're unsure, send us a quick message; we'll help you with the initial report.

Can I clean up before the insurance company has seen the water damage?

You may do anything to prevent further damage: absorb water, move furniture to safety, unplug appliances. It's important to take photos and videos of the damage beforehand and not dispose of anything without documenting it.

Do I need to inform the landlord or the insurance company first?

In rented apartments, the landlord is an important contact person because their building insurance is usually involved. However, your contents or liability insurance may also be relevant. We'll help you choose the right order of contact.

What happens if my insurance company rejects the water damage claim?

A rejection isn't automatically the end of the road. We'll review your rejection letter and supporting documents and tell you whether an appeal is worthwhile and how to structure it. You can find more information on our page about rejected claims .

Can I also use Risk-BOT if I am currently on vacation or abroad?

Yes. As long as you can use WhatsApp, you can reach us – whether you're in your shared apartment, working from home, or on the beach. You just need to send a few photos and briefly explain what's going on.

Water damage? We take care of the structural thinking.

You send us photos, voice messages, or documents – we take care of the insurance logic, wording, and overall process . No hotline, no call center, no endless forms.

Report water damage now via WhatsApp. Book an appointment for damage consultation.

Report water damage – without a hotline or form-filling nightmare