What Insurance Do You Need for an Apartment?
Insuring an apartment works differently than an ordinary home. If apartment owner you are automatically a member of the Owners Association (VvE), who is obliged to take out collective building insurance. But what exactly does it cover? And which insurances do you have to arrange yourself?
With an apartment you have to deal with three important insurance policies: the HOA building insurance (collectively arranged), ownership interest (for your improvements) and you home contents insurance (for your stuff). Ownership interests in particular are often forgotten, with all the financial risks that entails.
Bee Finass Insures we specialize in apartment insurance. We help you find out what the VvE already covers, what you need to arrange yourself, and find the best insurance for your situation - even with a dormant VvE.
Three Insurances for Apartment Owners
As an apartment owner you have to deal with three different insurance policies. Below we explain what each type covers and who is responsible:
VvE Building Insurance
Covers the building, common parts, facades, roof, foundation and original finishes. Mandatory for every homeowners' association.
Via the VvEownership interest
Covers improvements you make yourself: new kitchen, bathroom, luxury floors. Often NOT covered through the homeowners' association!
Arrange yourselfhome contents insurance
Covers your loose belongings: furniture, electronics, clothing, jewelry. You can always close it yourself.
Arrange yourselfWhat is covered by which insurance?
Below you can see exactly what is covered by which insurance. This way you can be sure that everything is covered:
| Element | VvE Building | ownership interest | contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facades, roof & foundation | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Common areas | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Original kitchen/bathroom | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Self-installed kitchen | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| New bathroom/toilet | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Luxury floors (parquet, tiles) | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Custom built-in wardrobes | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Glass (windows, doors) | Sometimes | ✗ | Optional |
| Furniture & sofas | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Electronics & appliances | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Clothing & jewelry | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Owner's Interest: The Often Forgotten Insurance
ownership interest is the value of improvements you have made to your apartment. Think of a new kitchen costing €15,000, a luxurious bathroom, parquet flooring or fitted wardrobes. These often fall not under the standard homeowners' association building insurance!
Suppose there is a fire in your apartment. The homeowners' association insurance reimburses the repair to the original state upon delivery. You will not be reimbursed for your expensive improvements – unless you have insured your ownership interest.
✅ Checklist: Should I Insure Owner's Interest?
New kitchen installed? Ensure the added value compared to the original kitchen.
Bathroom renovated? Luxury tiles, walk-in shower or bubble bath? This is owner's interest.
Expensive floor laid? Parquet, natural stone or herringbone is not covered as standard.
Sliding doors or skylight? Self-installed windows and doors fall under the ownership interest.
Custom built-in wardrobes? Custom cabinet walls are improvements.
Electricity expanded? Extra sockets, home automation or lighting count.
💡 Tip: Many insurers allow you to insure owner's interests on your home contents insurance (standard up to €15,000 - €30,000, can be increased). Or take out separate owner's interest insurance for larger amounts.
Your Situation: What Do You Need to Arrange?
Apartment purchased in an active homeowners' association
The VvE arranges the building insurance. You arrange: home contents insurance and any owner's interest for improvements. Check the homeowners' association policy for glass coverage.
Compare contents →Dormant VvE (No Insurance)
Big risk! Option 1: Activate the homeowners' association with co-owners. Option 2: Take out individual home insurance yourself. We will help you with both options.
Help with dormant homeowners' association →Just Renovated (New Kitchen/Bathroom)
Report renovations to the homeowners' association and check whether ownership interests have been arranged collectively. If not: insure it yourself through your home contents policy or separately.
Check ownership interests →Tenant of an Apartment
The building insurance is not your concern (the landlord/owner's association will arrange that). You only need home contents insurance for your own belongings.
Contents for tenants →
