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What is the difference between household and buildings insurance? What damage is covered where and can there be overlaps under certain circumstances? You can find the answers here.
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In a nutshell, household contents insurance covers all items that are part of your household contents. In other words, everything you can take with you when you move. Buildings insurance, on the other hand, covers damage to your own home, i.e. the building itself, including permanently attached parts such as the guttering or fitted kitchen.
In terms of insured property damage and risks, the two insurance policies have a lot in common: damage caused by fire and natural hazards, earthquakes, theft as well as water and glass damage. There is also so-called comprehensive cover: This is where property damage can be insured that has a cause other than the perils mentioned above, for example graffiti daubed on house walls(buildings insurance "extended cover") or if you lose your tablet (household insurance "household contents cover"). Here too, the rule of thumb is that buildings insurance covers damage to the building and household contents insurance covers damage to household contents.
No rule without exception: certain risks can be insured under both policies. It is best to seek personal advice from Baloise so that it can adjust your insurance in the event of any overlaps.
With most insurers, buildings liability cover can be integrated into personal liability cover. At Baloise, the prerequisite for this is that your property contains a maximum of three apartments, is only used for private purposes and at least one of these apartments is occupied by you. In this case, buildings liability is automatically included in your personal liability insurance and you do not have to take out separate buildings liability insurance.
In the event of burglary or attempted burglary, the damage to the building is covered by the buildings insurance, but is also included in the household contents insurance. In the latter case, however, it depends on the sum insured - because if the contents are very small, there may be insufficient cover. This is why buildings insurance is generally suitable for this. It is best to discuss the best solution for you with your customer advisor.
The building glass can also be insured as part of the household contents cover, but does not have to be. This would also cover damage to building glazing, such as sanitary facilities (washbasins, bathtubs) or glass ceramic hobs. As these items belong to the category "permanently installed in the building", they are also insured under the "building glass" cover in buildings insurance.
Seek personal advice so that she can adjust your insurance in the event of any overlaps.
A fire destroyed the top floor of our house, including the interior fittings and roof.
The building itself, including the roof, is covered by buildings insurance, the interior furnishings by household contents insurance.
A flood destroyed parts of the garage and the entire stamp collection stored inside.
The residential building insurance pays for the garage building, the household contents insurance pays for the stamp collection.
Our home has been burgled, the front door and a window have been damaged. Some valuables and cash are also missing.
In the event of burglary damage to the front door and windows, buildings insurance comes into play. The prerequisite for this is that the "theft" cover is integrated into the insurance protection. If this is not the case, household contents insurance will step in. Valuables are insured under household contents, cash is also insured under the "cash values" in household contents insurance.
I dropped a heavy object into the sink and now the washbasin is broken.
The washbasin is insured either under the "building glass" cover of the homeowners' insurance or under the household contents insurance. If you have taken out both types of insurance, clarify with your customer advisor whether there are any overlaps and whether your policies should be adjusted accordingly.
A tile came off our roof and damaged the neighbor's car.
This is where buildings liability comes into play first. In such a case, contact your insurance company immediately. Depending on the case, the vehicle's comprehensive insurance may also pay for the damage. However, you do not have to clarify who pays in case of doubt; the insurers will settle this among themselves.
A tree from our garden has fallen and damaged the neighbor's house.
This is a clear case for your buildings liability insurance.
Same situations as above, but someone was injured.
Again, a clear case for building liability.
In the case of owner-occupied single-family homes or vacation homes, buildings liability can also be integrated into personal liability.
Whether you are already a homeowner or the realization of your dream home is still a long way off, Baloise will be happy to accompany you from the very first step. For example, you can save equity with life insurance, and when it comes to financing, Baloise will work with our partner UBS key4 mortgages to find the right mortgage for you. In the event of a new build or renovation, it will protect you with construction insurance and, after you have bought your home, with buildings and household insurance, so that you can live in your new home without any worries. You will also find numerous practical and user-friendly online tools relating to home ownership on our homeowner platform.
