Claim Abroad: How to Report and Settle Damage Abroad Correctly

A knocked-over shelf in the Airbnb, the neighbour's damaged scooter in Spain, a bicycle accident with personal injury in the Netherlands: claims abroad follow the same basic rules as German ones – but language, distance and foreign law make mistakes more expensive. With this guide you secure your claims and your insurance coverage.

The Most Important Rule: Observe Your Obligations Abroad Too

Your insurance contract obliges you to behave in certain ways in the event of a claim – the obligations ("Obliegenheiten"). The VVG makes clear that the insurer can be released from its duty or reduce benefits "in the event of a breach of a contractual obligation" (source: Section 28 VVG, gesetze-im-internet.de, translated). And for the report: the policyholder must notify the insurer of the occurrence of the insured event "without undue delay" (source: Section 30 VVG, gesetze-im-internet.de, translated). "Without undue delay" means: without culpable hesitation – from abroad, ideally digitally the same or next day.

Step by Step: Settling a Claim Abroad Correctly

1. **Document:** Photos/videos of the damage and surroundings, names and contact details of injured parties and witnesses, police report for larger claims.
2. **Admit nothing, pay nothing:** No admission of fault, no cash payment on the spot – even under pressure. The assessment is the insurer's job.
3. **Report immediately:** Via our online claim report (→ schadenmeldung) – accessible from any country. We handle communication with the insurer.
4. **Secure receipts and arrange translations:** Keep invoices, certificates and reports in the original; the insurer clarifies whether translations are needed – costs are often reimbursable.
5. **Forward foreign-language demands:** Never answer lawyers' letters from abroad yourself; pass them on to the insurer – defending against unjustified claims is part of liability coverage (passive legal protection).

Special Case: You Are the Injured Party Abroad

Then the law of the country where the damage occurred applies; you address claims to the responsible party or their insurer. Secure evidence particularly carefully and get support – legal protection insurance with foreign coverage pays for lawyer and court. More in the cluster Legal Protection International.

Damage abroad? → WhatsApp (+49 151 28937141) – we take care of the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Claims Abroad

In which language do I have to report the claim?

With German insurers, in German – we handle that for you. Receipts may be in a foreign language; the insurer coordinates any necessary translations.

Does liability insurance pay in local currency or euros?

Settlement is generally in euros; foreign currency amounts are converted at the rate of the payment date. The injured party's exchange rate losses are part of the damage.

What if the damage is only noticed after returning home?

Report it immediately upon discovery and document why it was only noticed now. The "without delay" requirement relates to your knowledge of the damage.

Are you properly set up for an emergency abroad? Start the Insurance Check.

Sources: Section 28 VVG – Breach of a contractual obligation, gesetze-im-internet.de · Section 30 VVG – Notification of the insured event, gesetze-im-internet.de · Updated: 2026