Why Expats in Germany Must Review Their Home Insurance Now – Flood Risk Is Rising

Germany is seeing more frequent and severe weather events. According to a recent report by Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), federal states like North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony are at high to extreme risk of flooding.

However, most standard home insurance policies in Germany do not cover natural hazards such as:

• Flooding (Hochwasser)
• Heavy rainfall (Starkregen)
• Snow pressure
• Landslides or earth movement

These events fall under a separate category called “Elementarschäden”.

Why This Matters for Expats

As an expat, navigating the German insurance landscape can be overwhelming. Many assume their building or contents insurance is enough — but without this optional add-on, damage caused by floods may not be reimbursed.

Tip: Ask your provider if Elementarschäden is included in your Wohngebäudeversicherung or Hausratversicherung. In many cases, it must be added manually.

Secure Your Property Today

At German Sherpa, we specialize in helping expats understand, compare, and secure home insurance that fits — in English. We’ll guide you step by step and help you evaluate the risks based on your state and postcode.

👉 Book a free 1:1 consultation now and make sure your home is protected before the next storm hits: