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Liability Insurance Statistics, Trends and Facts (2025)

Liability insurance covers you financially from damages, injuries, and financial loss caused to another third party, along with any associated legal expenses. It’s becoming a popular, and in some countries mandatory, form of insurance. 


Although not a legal requirement in the country, **83%** of [Germans have liability insurance](https://www.gdv.de/gdv/themen/gesellschaft/versicherungsschutz-versicherungsdichte-ueberversicherung-49418) and **79%** [consider it a crucial type of insurance](https://www.versicherungsbote.de/id/4912070/Diese-Versicherungen-sollte-jeder-besitzen---finden-die-Deutschen/?gallery=kxctq). This makes Germany one of the countries with one one of the highest penetration rates for liability insurance. In the US, by contrast, [only 20% of American homeowners](https://www.bremer.com/insights/personal/2023-02-07-protect-yourself-with-an-umbrella-insurance-policy) opt for extra coverage through an umbrella liability policy. 


In this post, we’ll unpack the latest data on liability insurance, the costs coverage and the size of the global liability insurance market. 


## **Top liability insurance stats (2025\)**


- **$290\.5B** global liability insurance market valuation in **2024**.
- **$524\.66B** projected market size by **2034**.
- **83%** of Germans hold personal liability insurance.
- **54%** of small U.S. businesses carry general liability coverage.
- **36–53%** of U.S. small businesses face lawsuits annually.
- **$18\.8B** in average annual liability claim payouts (2017–2021\).
- **95%** of personal injury lawsuits settle before trial.
- **$1\.3M** average settlement in U.S. medical malpractice cases.


## Global liability insurance market size


- **$290\.5B** global liability insurance market in **2024**, up from **$275\.24B** in **2023**.
- **$524\.66B** projected market value by **2034**.
- **90\.6%** expected growth over the decade.
- **$126\.61B** market size in **North America** (2023\), representing **46%** of the global total.
- **25%** market share for **Europe**, **21%** for **Asia** in 2023\.


North America remains the dominant region by market share, driven by strong commercial adoption and high litigation risk.


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/06/3-Region-by-market-size-1024x614.jpg)
**Source**: [Precedence Research](https://www.precedenceresearch.com/liability-insurance-market), [TechSci Research](https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/liability-insurance-market/27890.html#:~:text=The%20global%20Liability%20Insurance%20Market,It%20also%20reduces)


### **Top 5 countries by liability insurance market size**


Here is the breakdown of the 5 countries with the largest liability insurance markets:


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/06/1-Countries-with-the-largest-insurance-markets-1024x614.jpg)
**Source**: [Agency Checklists](https://agencychecklists.com/2025/03/24/naic-2025-market-share-top-25-other-liability-insurers-75017/#:~:text=The%20Other%20Liability%20insurance%20market,amid%20a%20challenging%20claims%20environment), [market.us](https://market.us/report/liability-insurance-market/), [CEIC Data](https://www.ceicdata.com/en/china/insurance-premium/cn-insurance-premium#:~:text=China%20Insurance%20Premium%3A%20PI%3A%20Liability,RMB%20mn), [Asian Business Review](https://asianbusinessreview.com/insurance/news/japans-general-insurance-sector-slated-for94b-2028#:~:text=Liability%20insurance%2C%20representing%208.9,cyber%20insurance%20and%20workers%27%20compensation), [France Assureurs](https://www.franceassureurs.fr/wp-content/uploads/fa-ra2022.pdf#:~:text=match%20at%20L1957%20Responsabilit%C3%A9%20civile,tr%C3%A8s%20h%C3%A9t%C3%A9rog%C3%A8ne%2C%20rassemblant%20des%20risques), [Statista](https://www.statista.com/outlook/fmo/insurances/non-life-insurances/general-liability-insurance/germany#users)


## What percentage of businesses have general liability insurance?


- **54%** of small businesses have general liability insurance.
- **40%** operate without any insurance.
- **43%** of owners have been threatened with legal action.
- **36–53%** of small businesses are sued annually.
- **90%** of businesses will face legal action during their lifetime.
- **75%\+** of small business owners fear being targeted by a lawsuit.
- **$89B** estimated annual cost of excessive litigation to New York’s economy.


Here is the breakdown of the most liability insurance purchased by small business owners: 


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/06/6-Most-common-forms-of-liability-insurance-1024x614.jpg)
**Source:** [BusinessDasher](https://www.businessdasher.com/small-business-insurance-statistics/), [Investopedia](https://www.investopedia.com/small-business/protect-small-business-getting-sued/), [The Zebra](https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/small-business-statistics/), [Next](https://www.nextinsurance.com/blog/survey-small-businesses-lack-confidence-adequate-insurance/), [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2024/12/12/us-news/nys-bogus-legal-costs-hit-a-staggering-89b-as-nyc-ranked-second-worst-judicial-hellhole-in-us-report/)


## What is the success rate in defending liability lawsuits?


- **70%** of personal injury claimants receive compensation, either through settlement or court\-awarded damages.
- **57%** increase in liability litigation costs over the past decade.
- **95%** of personal injury lawsuits settle before reaching trial.
- **50–60%** of plaintiffs win when cases go to trial.
- **40–50%** of defendants succeed in trial\-based liability defenses.


### **Defense success rates by case type**




| Case Type | Defense Success Rate |
| --- | --- |
| Medical Malpractice | 81% |
| Product Liability | 62% |
| Premises Liability | 61% |
| Motor Vehicle | 39% |



> Out\-of\-court settlements remain the dominant resolution method. Defense outcomes vary widely by liability type, with medical cases showing the highest defense success rate.


**Sources:** [Case Pacer](https://casepacer.com/resources/chances-of-winning-a-personal-injury-lawsuit), [On the map](https://www.onthemap.com/blog/personal-injury-stats/), [Advocate Magazine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/article/2022-march/common-issues-and-defenses-in-premises-liability-cases), [NOLO](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-much-can-i-get-for-my-personal-injury-case-and-how-long-will-it-take-new.html), [Risk \& Insurance](https://riskandinsurance.com/social-inflation-drives-57-surge-in-us-liability-claims-over-a-decade/#:~:text=Litigation%20costs%20drove%20a%2057,in%202023%2C%20Swiss%20Re%20reports)


## What percentage of people have personal liability insurance?


- **83%** of Germans hold personal liability insurance.
- **79%** of Germans consider liability insurance essential.
- **20%** of American homeowners purchase umbrella liability policies.


Germany has one of the world’s highest liability insurance penetration rates despite no legal mandate.


**Source:** [BusinessDasher](https://www.businessdasher.com/small-business-insurance-statistics/), [Investopedia](https://www.investopedia.com/small-business/protect-small-business-getting-sued/), [The Zebra](https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/small-business-statistics/), [Next](https://www.nextinsurance.com/blog/survey-small-businesses-lack-confidence-adequate-insurance/)


## **Payout trends for liability claims**


- **$90\.4B** paid out across **530,000\+ claims** between **2017–2021**.
- **$18\.8B** in average annual liability payouts.
- **$55B** in U.S. motor vehicle liability payouts in **2023**.
- **45%** of U.S. liability payouts in 2023 stemmed from motor vehicle claims.



> Motor vehicle incidents accounted for nearly half of all U.S. liability payouts in 2023\.


**Sources:** [Case Pacer](https://casepacer.com/resources/chances-of-winning-a-personal-injury-lawsuit), [On the map](https://www.onthemap.com/blog/personal-injury-stats/), [Advocate Magazine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/article/2022-march/common-issues-and-defenses-in-premises-liability-cases), [NOLO](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-much-can-i-get-for-my-personal-injury-case-and-how-long-will-it-take-new.html), [Risk \& Insurance](https://riskandinsurance.com/social-inflation-drives-57-surge-in-us-liability-claims-over-a-decade/#:~:text=Litigation%20costs%20drove%20a%2057,in%202023%2C%20Swiss%20Re%20reports)


## What is the value of liability claims paid out?


- **$31,000** median settlement across all U.S. liability cases.
- **$24,000** median payout received by 50% of plaintiffs.
- **$1\.3M** average payout for medical malpractice cases.
- **$103,654** average settlement for truck accident cases.
- **$97,517** average for dog bite cases.


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/06/5-Average-settlement-amount-by-type-1024x614.jpg)
While most payouts remain modest, exceptional jury awards (known as “nuclear verdicts”) are increasing in frequency and size:


- **$44M** median jury award in major liability cases (2023\).
- **2x** growth from **$21M** in 2020\.
- **27%** increase in jury awards over **$10M** in 2023\.
- **40%\+** of nuclear verdict value attributed to defective products.


In these cases, large\-scale product liability claims drive the majority of high\-value jury awards.


**Source:** [On the map](https://www.onthemap.com/blog/personal-injury-stats/), [Brown and Crouppen](https://www.brownandcrouppen.com/blog/average-personal-injury-settlement-amounts/), [The Zebra](https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/small-business-statistics/#lawsuit-statistics), [Risk \& Insurance](https://riskandinsurance.com/social-inflation-drives-57-surge-in-us-liability-claims-over-a-decade/#:~:text=Litigation%20costs%20drove%20a%2057,in%202023%2C%20Swiss%20Re%20reports), [InsuranceBusiness](https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/will-nuclear-verdicts-impact-the-insurance-industry-in-2025-519537.aspx#:~:text=Brian%20Pierce%20,from%20%2421%20million%20in%202020), [Allianz](https://commercial.allianz.com/news-and-insights/news/liability-claims-2024.html#:~:text=US%20juries%20have%20ordered%20a,highlights%20five%20liability%20loss%20trends)


## What is the average cost of liability insurance?


In the United States, the average annual cost of general liability insurance is **approximately** **$360**. Average annual increases in the price of American liability insurance are typically between **5% and 10%.** 


Here is the estimated cost of different types of liability insurance in the United States:


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/06/2-Cost-of-liability-insurance--1024x614.jpg)
In Germany, liability insurance is one of the cheaper forms of popular insurance with average policy tariffs ranging from **€3\.30 to €6\.60 per month**.


**Source:** [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business-insurance/small-business-insurance-statistics/), [Feather Insurance](https://feather-insurance.com/blog/liability-insurance-germany-guide/), [Brown and Brown](https://www.bbrown.com/us/insight/commercial-insurance-risk-management-market-trends-quarter-1-2025-2/#:~:text=)

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Is liability insurance worth it in 2026? A look at the data.

One morning you’re riding your bike on your way to work when you collide with a pedestrian. They’re taken to the hospital and it’s discovered they’ve suffered a broken leg and their bag full of photography equipment is destroyed. 


As a result of the accident, they can’t work for 8 weeks and will need to replace all of their equipment. Under German law, you’re liable to cover their lost earnings and any damage to their property. You’re looking at thousands of euros in replacement costs and thousands more in lost earnings. 


Can you afford to cover them out of pocket? 


If you have [liability insurance](https://feather-insurance.com/personal-liability-insurance), you won’t have to. However, it’s hard to know how common accidents like this are and if you’ll find yourself in one. 


Here’s some information to help you decide if liability insurance is worth it for your lifestyle. 


## How popular is liability insurance in Germany?


Let’s face it, everyone experiences moments of inattention occasionally and mistakes happen. Sometimes, those mistakes lead to someone or their property getting damaged. Under German law, anyone who causes damage to another person or their property is [liable for compensation](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__823.html). 


Liability insurance is there to cover you financially from damages, injuries, and financial loss caused to another third party, along with any associated legal expenses 


While it isn’t a compulsory form of insurance, it’s a popular form of personal insurance in Germany. [83% of Germans](https://www.gdv.de/gdv/themen/gesellschaft/versicherungsschutz-versicherungsdichte-ueberversicherung-49418) have liability insurance and [79% consider it a crucial type of insurance](https://www.versicherungsbote.de/id/4912070/Diese-Versicherungen-sollte-jeder-besitzen---finden-die-Deutschen/?gallery=kxctq). 


To learn more about liability insurance and what it covers, [check out our comprehensive guide](https://feather-insurance.com/blog/liability-insurance-germany-guide/).


## What does liability insurance cost?


Liability is one of the cheaper [types of German insurance](https://feather-insurance.com/blog/types-of-insurance-germany/) available. For example, the tariff cost for a 30\-year\-old single, child\-free person ranges from €1\.04 per month for the cheapest plans up to €16\.24 per month for the most expensive. 


For plans that cover a partner, tariffs can cost between €2\.85 and €19\.09, while for families this can range from €3\.27 up to €22\.03\. That means for the price of a cup of coffee you can get €5 million worth of coverage. 


It’s worth keeping in mind that the exact cost of your tariff will depend on your individual circumstances and lifestyle, such as:


- The level of coverage you’re looking for
- If your plan includes a deductible
- The number of people you’re looking to cover
- Coverage for items like drones or side hustles


 We recommend [getting a personalized recommendation based on your lifestyle](https://app.feather-insurance.com/recommendation-tool/intro) to ensure this is the right level of coverage for you. 


## What financial protection does liability insurance offer?


The main benefit of having liability insurance is financial protection from costs due to accidental damages and injuries to another person. This peace of mind comes relatively cheaply. 


From €4\.94 per month, you can get up to €50 million in coverage. A high\-level of coverage is necessary in an accident involving another person.


For example, if you collide with another person on your bicycle and they suffer spinal damage, you might be [liable for damages of more than €5\.3 million](https://www.genre.com/us/knowledge/publications/2022/june/cfpc22-1-en). Trying to pay for these costs out of pocket is impossible for the average person.


Not every accident will lead to damages amounting to millions of euros, but that doesn’t mean they don’t pose a financial risk. According to data from our analytics team, the most common claims submitted are for damage to another’s property (83\.3% of claims), key loss (16%), and injury to others (0\.7%). 


The average liability insurance claim amount is €569\.24 and the average person will submit a claim less than 1 year (262 days) from when they start their coverage. Looking at the same data shows that they will submit more than one claim over the course of a policy. 


So what does this mean for you? Let’s say you accidentally break a friend’s Macbook Pro and it can’t be repaired. The cost of replacing it will be at least €1900\. If you’re a single person paying €4\.94 per month for a tariff, the claim amount equates to more than 20 years of premiums. 


That means your coverage for accidental damages will almost always exceed the amount of money you’ll pay in tariffs. 


## What are the alternatives to liability insurance?


One of the most common objections to getting liability insurance is the cost of a tariff. While a relatively cheap form of insurance, the costs of a tariff add up over time. This can end up being money that’s not saved or invested elsewhere (especially if you don’t make up any claims). 


It can be tempting to think the risks of an accident are low enough that you’ll be able to cover damages out of pocket. Here are three alternatives to liability insurance and where they might work compared to a policy: 


1. **Savings account:** Using money from a savings account for emergency expenses is one alternative to liability insurance and has the advantage of not having to pay a tariff. This approach works best for small claims, usually a few hundred euros. Larger claims could take a considerable bite out of your savings or deplete them entirely.
2. **Credit card:** Using a credit card to pay for damages is another alternative to liability insurance. This approach can work for small claims amounting to a few hundred to a few thousand euros, depending on your credit limit. However, with this approach your total costs are even higher due to interest rates that reach up to 20%.
3. **Financing:** A last alternative is taking out a personal loan from a bank or lending institution to pay for larger damages. Unlike a personal credit card or savings, you can access larger amounts of money. This can work for larger claims but you’ll end up repaying considerably more in interest, and many people would also prefer using a large loan for a mortgage rather than paying off debt.


While there are alternatives to liability insurance, they typically work best for small claims provided you have savings or access to credit. Using them to cover larger damages out\-of\-pocket can put you in a worse financial position.


## Conclusion


So, is liability insurance worth it? It is if you want peace of mind and financial protection for a small monthly amount. 


While the average liability insurance claim amount is under €600, you’ll likely submit more than one claim in your lifetime.  You’re also protected against larger damages that involve injury to another person. 


If you’re ready to get liability insurance, make sure that you’re getting the right coverage and product for your individual situation. 

[BP] is liability insurance worth it

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Water damage in Germany: What happens next?

You've just noticed a puddle forming under your washing machine. 

Or maybe there's water dripping from the ceiling, spreading across the floor, and creeping dangerously close to your electronics.

Take a breath… 

Water damage is stressful, but it's also surprisingly common in German apartments. 

But there’s good news. 

If you act quickly and follow the right steps, you can minimise the damage, protect your belongings, and make sure insurance covers the repair costs.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly: 

* What to do when water damage strikes  
* Which insurance policies apply to your situation  
* And how to navigate the claims process in Germany (even if your landlord is being difficult).

## 1\. Check for electrical hazards

Before you start mopping up, take a moment to assess the situation. Water and electricity don't mix, so a quick safety check is worth your time.

**In most cases, you can handle this yourself:**

* If water is near electrical outlets or appliances, switch off your apartment's electricity at the fuse box before cleaning up  
* Unplug any appliances in or near the affected area  
* Wear rubber-soled shoes if you need to walk through damp areas

**When to call a professional:**

If there's significant flooding and you can't safely reach your fuse box, or if water has visibly entered electrical outlets or appliances, it's worth waiting for an electrician to confirm it's safe. Keep in mind that emergency call-out fees can be high and typically aren't covered by insurance, so use your judgement: most minor leaks don't require this step.

For the majority of household leaks (a dripping pipe, an overflowing washing machine), switching off the power and unplugging nearby appliances is sufficient to proceed safely.

## 2\. Stop the water source

The faster you stop the leak, the less damage you'll face. Every minute counts.

### If you can identify the source

Turn off the water supply to that specific appliance or fixture. 

For washing machines and dishwashers, there's usually a valve behind or beneath the unit.

### If you can't find where the water is coming from

Shut off the main water supply to your entire apartment. 

You'll find the stopcock (Hauptwasserhahn) typically near your water meter (which is often in the bathroom or kitchen). 

Once the water stops flowing, you can investigate the source without the situation getting worse.

### Clean vs. Contaminated water

Not all water damage is equal:

**Clean water** (from burst pipes or appliance leaks) is manageable. You can often handle cleanup yourself if the amount is limited.

**Contaminated water** (from sewage backups or flooding) is a health hazard. Don't attempt to clean this yourself. Call a professional water damage restoration service immediately.

## 3\. Notify your landlord immediately

In Germany, you're legally required to inform your landlord (Vermieter) or property management company (Hausverwaltung) about water damage as soon as possible. 

Delays can affect your rights and expose you to additional liability.

**To notify your landlord, you can:**

1. Call them immediately if the situation is urgent  
2. Follow up in writing (email or text) with the date, time, and description of the damage (photos help too).  
3. Request that they arrange for repairs or mitigation

Even for small leaks with unknown sources, document your notification. You'll want proof that you reported the issue promptly.

## 4\. Document *everything*

Proper documentation is essential for insurance claims. 

Start recording evidence as soon as it's safe to do so.

**Generally, you want:**

* **Photos and videos** with visible timestamps showing the extent of water damage  
* **The source of the leak** (if identifiable)  
* **All damaged areas** (including floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture)  
* **A detailed inventory** of damaged belongings, including approximate values  
* **Original receipts** for damaged items, if you still have them

Send this documentation to your landlord and keep copies for your own records. The more thorough your evidence, the smoother your insurance claim will be.

## 5\. Understand which insurance applies

This is where many people in Germany get confused. 

Water damage claims often involve multiple insurance policies, and knowing which one applies first can save you significant money and hassle.

### The three types of insurance for water damage

#### 1\. Building Insurance (Gebäudeversicherung)

This policy covers damage to the building structure itself: 

* Walls  
* Floors  
* Ceilings  
* Pipes  
* And fixed installations.

If water leaked from any pipe or connection attached to the mains supply (dishwasher, washing machine, shower, radiator), building insurance handles the structural damage first. 

This applies whether the leak was in your apartment or damaged a neighbour's ceiling, walls pr apartments.

**Why does building insurance come first?** 

Because it covers repairs at full replacement value, while liability insurance typically only covers current depreciated value. 

Starting with building insurance protects everyone from being left out of pocket.

#### 2\. Liability Insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung)

If something you did caused the leak, liability insurance covers damage to other people's property:

* Your landlord's fixtures  
* Your neighbour's furniture  
* Or their personal belongings.

The building insurance company may contact your liability insurer directly to share costs once they've processed the structural damage claim.

Learn more about [how liability insurance works in Germany](https://feather-insurance.com/blog/liability-insurance-germany-guide).

#### 3\. Contents Insurance (Hausratversicherung)

This policy covers damage to your personal belongings. 

The general rule is that you're covered when a pipe bursts or an external pipe leaks and damages your possessions.

**What counts as an external pipe?** Pipes you can easily see and access: under your kitchen sink, connecting your washing machine, or feeding your radiators.

**What counts as an internal pipe?** Hidden plumbing within walls, under floors, or behind tiles (like bathtub and shower plumbing).

Learn more about how [home contents insurance works in Germany](https://feather-insurance.com/blog/contents-insurance-germany-guide).

## 6\. Understand what each insurance covers

### Building insurance covers:

* Inspections to determine the leak source  
* Professional drying of affected apartments  
* Renovation costs (floor repair, repainting walls, replacing wallpaper)  
* Loss of rental income for the landlord if tenants need to move out during repairs (in some cases)

**Note for tenants:** If your apartment becomes uninhabitable during repairs, you may be entitled to reduced rent or not have to pay rent for that period. This isn't covered by building insurance—it's a separate tenant's right. 

Check with a Mieterverein (tenants' association) to see if you qualify.

### Building insurance does *not* cover:

* Furniture and personal belongings  
* Non-structural items (rugs, electronics, clothing)  
* Damage to movable property

### Liability insurance covers:

* Damage to your landlord's property (fixtures, fittings) if something you did caused the leak  
* Damage to your neighbour's furniture and personal belongings  
* Third-party property damage resulting from water originating in your apartment, when at fault.

### Liability insurance does *not* cover:

* Your own belongings (that's what contents insurance is for)  
* Structural damage to the building (handled by building insurance first)  
* Damage where you weren't at fault

### Contents insurance covers:

* Damage to your personal belongings from covered leaks  
* Items damaged by water from heating systems, aquariums, air conditioners, water beds, or sprinkler systems

### Contents insurance does *not* cover:

* Damage from overflowing taps or bathtubs (user error)  
* Water splashed during normal use  
* Blocked drains  
* Damage to the building structure itself

## 7\. Be prepared if your landlord refuses to file a claim

This happens more often than you'd expect. Landlords sometimes resist filing claims because it may increase their premiums. 

Here's what you need to know:

**By law, all property owners in multi-apartment buildings must have building insurance.** 

As a tenant, you're likely already paying for this coverage through your Nebenkosten (ancillary costs) as part of your monthly rent.

### If your landlord refuses to submit a claim:

1. Have your [liability insurance](https://feather-insurance.com/personal-liability-insurance) formally request that they do so  
2. If they still refuse, contact a Mieterverein (tenants' association) for advice  
3. Consider seeking legal assistance if the landlord continues to obstruct

### If your landlord claims the building insurance denied coverage:

Ask for a copy of the denial letter in writing. 

You're not obligated to pay for structural repairs without written confirmation that building insurance won't cover them. 

Once you have the letter, provide it to your liability insurer.

Never pay for repairs yourself, expecting reimbursement. Work through the proper insurance channels first.

### What about the floors you installed yourself?

This is a common point of confusion. The rule is straightforward:

The **first habitable floor** of a property is always covered by building insurance, regardless of who purchased or installed it.

For example…

You move into an apartment with vinyl flooring and install parquet on top. 

If water damages your parquet, that's covered by your contents insurance. But if you installed flooring directly onto unsealed concrete, damage would be a building insurance claim.

## 8\. Remove standing water (quickly)

The longer water sits, the worse the damage becomes. Start drying your apartment as soon as it's safe to do so.

### What you can do yourself:

* Use a wet/dry vacuum (Nasssauger) for efficient water extraction  
* Mop up standing water with towels and buckets  
* Open windows to increase airflow  
* Run dehumidifiers and fans to circulate air  
* Check humidity levels regularly

### For severe flooding or professional drying:

Don't arrange professional water damage restoration services yourself: you'll likely be left out of pocket. 

Instead, contact your landlord and ask them to arrange this. 

They can claim the costs through their building insurance, which typically covers professional drying and inspections.

The same applies to checking hard-to-reach areas like behind walls, under floors, and in insulation. Your landlord should arrange for professionals to inspect these spaces, as the building insurance will cover it. 

If you pay for these services yourself, you'd need to ask your landlord to submit your invoices to their building insurance for reimbursement—a process that's often complicated and not guaranteed.

This drying process can take up to a week for larger leaks. Stay in contact with your landlord throughout to ensure everything is properly addressed.

## 9\. Check for mould

Mould can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure. Early detection is critical.

**Watch our for these signs of mould:**

* Black spots or discolouration on walls, ceilings, or floors  
* Musty or unusual odours  
* New stains that appeared after the leak

Check hidden areas thoroughly: under carpets, behind furniture, inside cupboards, and along baseboards.

**If you find mould, report it to the landlord, and insist they call a professional immediately.** 

Mould remediation can cost tens of thousands of euros if left untreated, and most insurance policies don't cover mould damage caused by neglected water damage.

## 10\. Assess (and save) your belongings

Once your apartment is dry, evaluate what's salvageable.

**Generally:**

* Furniture, rugs, and upholstered items submerged for more than 24 hours need replacing  
* Hard surfaces can often be cleaned and dried  
* Electronics exposed to water should be professionally inspected before use  
* Sentimental items may be professionally restored by specialists

Keep damaged items until your insurance claim is processed. You may need to show them to an assessor.

## 11\. File your insurance claim

With your documentation ready, it's time to file your claim.

**If you’re a Feather customer, follow these steps:**

1. Log in to your [Feather account](https://app.feather-insurance.com/me/policies) (or contact your provider directly)  
2. Navigate to your liability or contents policy  
3. Select "file a claim" and provide comprehensive details  
4. Upload all photos, videos, and documentation  
5. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information  
6. Receive your decision (typically within 2–4 weeks for straightforward cases)

## 12\. Prevent future water damage

Once you've recovered from this leak, take steps to prevent the next one.

**Preventative measures for tenants:**

1. **Have appliances professionally installed.** When setting up a washing machine, dishwasher, or other water-connected appliance, have a professional handle the installation. Faulty connections are a common cause of leaks. And if improper installation causes damage, you could be held liable.  
2. **Install water leak sensors** in high-risk areas, such as near washing machines, under sinks, beside water heaters, and around toilets. Smart sensors can alert your phone the moment they detect moisture.  
3. **Ensure you have proper insurance coverage:**  
   * Liability insurance protects you when you cause damage to others  
   * Contents insurance covers your belongings  
   * Building insurance (for homeowners) covers structural damage

Learn more about [the most important types of insurance in Germany](https://feather-insurance.com/blog/types-of-insurance-germany).

## Conclusion

Water damage in a German apartment is stressful, but manageable if you act quickly and understand the system.

**Remember these essentials:**

* Safety first—check for electrical hazards before entering wet areas  
* Stop the leak and notify your landlord immediately, following up in writing  
* Document everything with photos, videos, and inventories  
* Building insurance handles structural damage first; liability and contents insurance cover property damage  
* Your landlord cannot refuse to file a building insurance claim if you're contributing through Nebenkosten  
* Dry your apartment quickly to prevent mould growth  
* Call your landlord and ensure they contact professionals for contaminated water, mould, or extensive damage

Water damage is never fun, but with the right preparation and insurance coverage, you can navigate the situation without financial disaster.

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