Home Insurance for Students: What you really need

Written by: Helene Ausserwöger, 13.08.2026

Many students choose not to get home insurance – also called home contents insurance – because they think it’s too expensive or believe they can save the money. As long as nothing happens, that may not seem like a problem. But a fire, water damage, a burglary, or a storm can destroy furniture, a laptop, clothing, and other valuables within just a few minutes. Without insurance, you often have to cover the costs yourself, and those expenses can quickly add up to several thousand euros.

In reality, home insurance for students is usually much more affordable than you would expect and can protect you from significant financial losses if the unexpected happens. In this guide, we’ll explain what student home insurance covers, how much it typically costs, whether you need your own insurance in a student residence or shared flat, and the key things to consider before choosing the right plan.

Table of Contents:

Why do students need home insurance? 

Moving out of your parents’ home marks the beginning of a new chapter for many students, and with it comes new responsibilities. While your personal belongings are usually covered by your parents’ home insurance as long as you live at home, this protection does not automatically extend to a student apartment or shared flat. If your primary residence continues to be registered at your parents’ address, your second residence may also be covered under certain conditions. However, the exact terms vary depending on the insurance provider. If you change your primary residence to your student accommodation or move out permanently, you will generally need your own home insurance.

Home insurance protects you against the financial consequences of many everyday risks. These include burglary, fire damage, water damage, storm damage, and vandalism. For example, if your laptop or bicycle is stolen during a break-in, or your valuables are destroyed in a fire, replacing them can easily cost several thousand euros – an amount that is unaffordable for many students.

Many home insurance policies also include personal liability insurance. This covers damage that you accidentally cause to other people or their property. For example, if you accidentally damage a sink in your shared apartment or a water leak from your apartment causes damage to the flat below, liability insurance may cover the resulting costs. The exact scope of this coverage depends on the terms of your insurance policy.

Although home contents insurance is not legally required in Austria, it is highly recommended. While it cannot replace the sentimental value of your personal belongings, it ensures that you are not left to cover the full cost if something goes wrong. A single claim can easily end up costing more than many years’ worth of insurance fee.

What does home insurance cover?

You’re spending the weekend at your parents’ house, and when you return, you discover that your apartment has been broken into. Or a broken water pipe has flooded your room. While situations like these are uncommon, they can result in significant financial losses. Home insurance protects you against the financial consequences of many of these unexpected events.

Burglary & Vandalism

Someone breaks into your apartment and steals your laptop, headphones, and other valuables. In most cases, home insurance will cover the financial loss. Damage caused during the break-in, such as broken doors or windows, is also usually covered. However, if your bicycle is stolen outside your home, you’ll often need additional coverage.

Water Damage & Fire

You come home to find that a broken pipe has flooded your apartment. Or a fire has damaged your bed, desk, laptop, and other belongings. In most cases, home insurance covers damage caused by broken pipes and fires.

Please note: If a fire is caused by gross negligence – for example, by leaving a candle burning unattended or a pan of hot oil on the stove – coverage will depend on the terms of your insurance policy.

Personal Liability Insurance – Often Included

When choosing a home contents insurance, make sure it also includes personal liability insurance. This covers damage you accidentally cause to other people or their property. For example, it may cover the cost if you damage a roommate’s belongings or cause damage to your rented apartment that you are legally responsible for. This type of coverage is especially important if you live in a shared apartment or student residence.

What Isn’t Covered?

Although home insurance covers many types of damage, not everything is automatically insured.

  • Accidental damage to your own belongings: For example, if you drop your smartphone or spill coffee on your laptop, these types of self-inflicted damage are generally not covered.
  • Wear and tear: Normal wear and tear, such as an office chair breaking after years of regular use, is not covered by home insurance.
  • Gross negligence: Depending on your policy, coverage may be limited or excluded if the damage was caused by gross negligence, for example by leaving a candle burning unattended or leaving a window open when you leave your apartment.

Home insurance in student accommodations

Many students assume that their belongings are automatically insured when they live in student accommodation. However, this is a common misconception. While the residence manager is generally responsible for the building and its shared facilities, your personal belongings, such as your laptop, smartphone, bicycle, or other valuables, are usually not covered. If you are no longer insured under your parents’ home insurance policy, you should consider taking out your own home insurance. Many insurers offer affordable policies specifically designed for students.

If you rent your own apartment, you will generally need your own home insurance policy as well. In a shared apartment, there is an additional consideration: a home insurance policy usually only covers the people who are named in the policy. You can either take out a joint policy with your roommates or each arrange separate coverage for your own belongings. It’s important to update the policy whenever someone moves in or out.

Personal liability insurance is also recommended whether you live in a student residence, a shared apartment, or your own flat. It protects you in case you accidentally damage someone else’s property or are held legally liable for damage you have caused.

How much does home insurance for students cost?

The good news is that home insurance doesn’t have to be expensive. Many providers offer special student policies or plans designed for small apartments, shared flats, or student residences. This means you can often protect yourself against significant financial losses for just a few euros per month.

Typical Costs & Factors That Affect the Price

Basic student home insurance policies are available for around €4–10 per month. However, the actual cost depends on several factors:

  • Type of accommodation: A room in a student residence or shared apartment is usually cheaper to insure than a privately rented apartment.
  • Size of your home: The larger your apartment, the higher your fee will generally be.
  • Sum insured: The more valuable your belongings, such as your laptop, bicycle, and furniture, the higher your coverage amount should be. A higher sum insured may increase the fee.
  • Deductible (excess): The deductible is the amount you pay yourself if you make a claim. A deductible of €100–200 is common. Choosing a deductible usually lowers your monthly fee, but you’ll have to cover part of the damage yourself if something happens.
  • Additional coverage: Optional extras, such as bicycle theft outside your home, glass breakage, or a higher coverage limit, will also increase the cost of your plan.

What to Look for When Comparing Insurance Policies

The cheapest insurance isn’t always the best choice. When comparing home insurance, don’t just look at the price. Pay close attention to what’s included in the coverage. Especially for small student apartments, it often makes sense to spend a little more. In many cases, an insurance policy with no deductible costs only a few euros more per year but could save you several hundred euros if you ever need to make a claim. That’s why it’s important to compare the price, the scope of coverage, and any deductible together.

To find the right insurance, it’s best to compare offers from several providers. Online comparison websites such as durchblicker.at or insurance calculators provided by the individual insurers can help you quickly and easily compare prices, coverage, and policy features.

Home insurance for students: a summary

Moving into student accommodation, a shared apartment, or your first home of your own is a big step towards independence. Along with furnishing your room, signing your lease, and packing moving boxes, insurance should also be high on your checklist. While you hope you’ll never need it, home insurance can save you a great deal of money and stress if the unexpected happens.

Before you move in, take a few minutes to check whether you’re still covered under your parents’ home insurance or whether you need your own student home insurance and personal liability insurance. That way, you can enjoy student life with peace of mind.

Getting ready to move? Be sure to check out our STUWO Move-In Checklist. You can also find plenty of useful advice in our articles on living in a student residence and tips for first-year students to help you start university well prepared.

FAQs: Frequently asked questions about home insurance for students

Not legally, but it is strongly recommended. Home insurance can protect you from significant financial losses in the event of a burglary, fire, or water damage.

Depending on your accommodation and the policy you choose, basic student home insurance plans often start at around €4 per month.

Home contents insurance typically covers your personal belongings against risks such as burglary, fire, water damage, storm damage, and vandalism. Keep in mind that damage caused by gross negligence may not be covered unless your policy specifically includes this protection.

This depends on the insurance provider and the policy. Some insurers extend coverage until the age of 27, provided your primary residence remains registered at your parents’ address. Under certain conditions, your second residence may also be covered. However, the exact terms vary between insurance providers.

Questions?

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