Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the "Haushaltsversicherung" – if you don't have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here's what you need to know about household insurance.
Firstly, this insurance covers damages to "all movable objects within your own four walls," as Austria's Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. Policies typically cover damage caused by fire, storms, leaking water pipes and burglary. Glass breakage may require additional cover, while flooding and other natural disasters can be excluded or subject to relatively low payout limits.
Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance (another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria).
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However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home.
Additionally, they said: "It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient".
What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?
Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle. Some things you need to be aware of, though.
Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house.
Glass breakage isn't always included in standard household insurance. Some policies offer it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch), so it's worth checking whether windows, large glass panes and other glass items are covered.
Depending on the insurer, additional cover may be available for dog liability, legal protection or emergency home assistance. These are separate benefits, so compare what each costs and includes.
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It's worth reading each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand.
For example, insurance often won't cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don't open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don't lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.
It's also important to check whether your insurance will pay you "Neuwert" or "Zeitwert" in the event of damage.
A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called "Zeitwert", something like "current value", so you wouldn't receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.
If you keep jewellery, art, expensive bicycles, musical instruments or other high-value items at home, ask the insurer about limits and storage rules. Some policies have maximum payouts for valuables or require certain items to be stored in a particular way.
What should I do if there is damage to my home?
If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered.
The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).
"Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities", they said. In cases of fire, burglary or robbery, inform the police. In an emergency, also contact the fire brigade or other emergency services as needed.
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How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?
The insurance term is usually specified in the contract. For consumer policies running for more than three years, you can generally cancel at the end of the third insurance year and at the end of each subsequent insurance year, with one month's notice. Other policies can have different notice periods, often up to three months, so check your contract.
If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. To use this right, the cancellation must reach the insurer before the move starts, with the contract ending the day before the move begins. The AK recommends sending it by registered post as proof of delivery.
If you don't exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.
Prices vary widely.
For an idea of costs, an AK Upper Austria comparison published in January 2026 found annual premiums between around €155 and €295 for a 90-square-metre rented flat, without a deductible. Policies with a deductible of up to €200 cost roughly €122 to €236 a year in the comparison.
The premium can depend on the size of the home, the insured sum, the type of property, the level of private liability cover, whether valuables are included, and add-ons such as glass breakage, assistance packages, dog liability or legal protection.
For that reason, it’s worth comparing not just the monthly price, but also exclusions, deductibles, maximum payouts and whether the policy pays Neuwert or Zeitwert.
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