Direct Answer
Home insurance in Austria (Eigenheim- / Wohngebäudeversicherung) covers damage to the building itself – walls, roof, windows and fixed sanitary and heating systems. Typical covered risks per FMA and VVO: fire, water from pipes, storm and hail, plus optional flood depending on your HORA risk zone. The contents of the apartment (furniture, electronics, clothes) are insured separately under household insurance (Haushaltsversicherung).
TL;DR
- Home / Eigenheim insurance = the building shell. Contents = separate household policy.
- Core risks per VVO: fire, water from pipes, storm, hail.
- Natural hazards like flood are usually optional – check the HORA zone.
- 10-year terms often come with a discount; check cancellation rules.
- Always verify policy details directly with the insurer, not only in ads.
Home insurance in Austria – officially Wohngebäudeversicherung – is not legally mandatory, but is practically essential for every house owner. It protects the building itself from the financial consequences of major damage. Movable contents are covered by a separate household insurance. This page explains what home insurance typically covers, which factors drive the premium and what FMA, VVO and the AK (Chamber of Labour) advise you to check.
Covered Risks (Building)
Fire
Fire, lightning, explosion to the building
Pipe Water
Pipe burst, damage to built-in systems
Storm & Hail
Roof and façade damage from Beaufort 8+
Flood
Optional, depending on HORA risk zone
Glass (Building)
Windows, conservatory (optional)
Owner Liability
Liability as the property owner
What Home Insurance Does NOT Cover
Furniture & Contents
Separate household insurance needed
Electronics & Clothes
Contents = household policy
Vehicles
Separate motor / Kasko cover
Garden items
Plants often insured as add-on
Savings Potential When Choosing
Price Factors
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Rebuild value | Higher value = higher premium |
| Construction | Solid vs. timber-frame impacts premium |
| Location & HORA zone | Flood, avalanche, landslide risk |
| Contract length | 10 years often gets a meaningful discount |
| Deductible | Higher = lower premium |
| Fire / theft protection | Smoke alarms or alarms may reduce premium |
Practical Tips Before You Sign
State the rebuild value honestly
Under-insurance leads to partial pay-out in a claim
Check your HORA zone
Use hora.gv.at to check flood risk, choose the natural-hazard module accordingly
Compare cover, not only premium
Read clauses and exclusions; ask the AK if unsure
Know your notification duties
Late claim notifications can reduce pay-out
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Get a non-binding overview of building cover for your house – often offered together with household insurance.
See offers at durchblicker.atPremiums depend on rebuild value, construction, location, HORA zone and chosen modules. Always verify the policy directly with the insurer. Last updated: 27.05.2026.