Home contents insurer not paying after a burglary or water damage?
Burglary, pipe water, fire, and the home contents insurer will not pay or only partially, often with the accusation of 'gross negligence' (window tilted, door not locked)? A blanket complete refusal is usually no longer permissible today.
Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:
Demand the benefit →Your chances of getting your money back
What you should do now
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1. Check the reasoning
What is the rejection or reduction based on (gross negligence, obligation, underinsurance)?
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2. Gather evidence
Compile photos, purchase receipts, police report (in case of burglary), damage report and list of stolen goods.
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3. Insist on proportional reduction
In case of gross negligence, insist on only a proportional reduction under § 81 VVG, not a complete refusal.
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4. Ombudsman/advice
If the insurer stays firm, the insurance ombudsman or legal advice helps.
Frequently asked questions
May the insurer pay nothing at all due to gross negligence?
Usually not entirely. Since the VVG reform, a proportional reduction applies: in case of gross negligence the benefit is reduced only in proportion to the severity of your fault (§ 81 VVG). A reduction to zero is only permissible for particularly severe fault; you can challenge a blanket total refusal.
What must I do after a burglary for the insurer to pay?
Report the damage to the insurer without delay, immediately file a report with the police and submit a list of stolen goods (a list of the stolen items). These obligations are important; whoever violates them risks a benefit reduction. Also secure receipts and photos.
Take action now
We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.
General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.