[Deutschland] Stiftung Warentest compared 182 home insurance policies and published the results alongside other topics on 22 pages in its current financial test. As homeowners usually cannot avoid this type of insurance, it is important to find out whether, for example, natural hazard protection is included as a minimum standard. Insurance against fire, water damage, storms and hail damage is usually mandatory – at least if you have secured financing (mortgage) with a bank using a land charge.
Zürs 1 to 4: Behind this name is the new “Zation system for Überschwemmung, Rbacklog and Sheavy rain” of the insurance companies, with which they classify risk areas. In the wake of climate change, you should definitely include such elementary natural hazards plus possible landslides in your policy so that you are financially protected. Because if the house burns down or everything is under water, it can endanger your own existence.
The value of a house is assessed in different ways. For reconstruction after a total crash, it is either based on the size of the living space or on the current value or the location and furnishings (including all additions and conversions… Of course, the risk of avalanches in flat areas is negligible 🙂
Changing your insurance provider also means that it can become more expensive. Prices have risen by 7.5 percent this year, writes Finanztest. But if the tariff is poor (57 of those listed), it is still worth negotiating and agreeing to better services. For example, “Damage caused by gross negligence, additional costs due to stricter building regulations, demolition and clean-up costs or hotel costs if the house is not inhabitable for a longer period of time“, adopted.
It would be a good idea to check your current policy. The checklist in the article will help you with this. The cost comparison of the insurance companies also shows big differences.
Source: Brigitta Möllermann, HESSENMAGAZIN.de
