These insurance policies pay out in the event of damage

Consumer advice center clarifies

New Year’s Eve fireworks: These insurance policies pay out in the event of damage

Fireworks can cause expensive damage. If you want to protect yourself, you should check which insurance policies exist and which cases are covered.

Colorful rockets, loud firecrackers, glowing fountains: For many people, fireworks are part of the New Year. But pyrotechnics are not harmless fun. Injuries, fires and property damage occur every year – even when fireworks are ignited correctly. Accidents cannot be completely ruled out. This makes it all the more important to know which insurance companies will step in in an emergency.

The consumer advice center explains which insurance cover applies to damage caused by fireworks. An overview:

Anyone who injures other people or damages other people’s property through fireworks is generally liable – and indefinitely with their own assets. This is exactly where private liability insurance comes into play. It covers damage if, for example, a rocket lands on the neighboring property, a passer-by is injured or third-party objects break.

However, the prerequisite is that the damage was not caused intentionally, but rather through gross negligence and that the fireworks were purchased legally and used properly. Illegal firecrackers or deliberately risky behavior can jeopardize insurance coverage.

If you injure yourself while setting off pyrotechnics, personal liability insurance will not help. In this case, private accident insurance comes into play – if available. It pays if permanent physical damage occurs, such as burns, hearing damage or loss of limbs.

Statutory accident insurance usually does not apply here because it is a recreational accident. Anyone who wants to protect themselves financially must therefore rely on a private policy.

If your house catches fire, for example because a rocket hits the roof or embers get into the roof structure, homeowners insurance usually covers the damage. The insurance covers, among other things, damage caused by fire, explosion or lightning.

Important: Insurance coverage also applies if the fireworks were caused by third parties – such as neighbors. In such cases, the insurer can later recover the costs from the person responsible or their liability insurance (see above).

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If the interior furnishings are damaged by fireworks – such as furniture, carpets or electrical appliances – household contents insurance can come into play. The prerequisite here is that the damage is insured, such as fire or explosion.