The key rule sounds counterintuitive: do not apologise with money. Human sympathy yes — written admission of fault or paying yourself no: it breaks the insurer investigation and can cost you the cover.
Haftpflicht: When Damage Happens
Broke something? Report immediately and admit nothing in writing: your insurer also fights off unjustified claims against you — that is part of the service.
✓ Verified: 15/08/2026
WHAT TO DO
› Details and tips
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Max recommends:
Coffee over a colleague laptop. Photos, two lines in the insurer app, his repair invoice — 12 days later he had the money. It cost me nothing beyond my premiums.
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Lea recommends:
If the injured party pushes for instant payment: hand over your policy number and the insurer contact. Legal, polite, and the dialogue is no longer yours.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I broke something at a friend home — awkward to involve insurance? ▾
The opposite: this is exactly what it exists for, and your friend receives the full value in money. Awkward is paying 800 € from your own pocket.
The insurer calls the claim against me unjustified — but the person keeps demanding? ▾
Fighting off unjustified claims is the second function of liability insurance: the insurer argues and litigates for you at its own cost.
The damage is small — report anyway? ▾
Yes: the report documents the case and protects you if bigger consequences are claimed later. A single case barely moves your premium.