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Contents insurance is one of those boring things I’d tell any student to sort out in their first month, mainly for the liability cover. Here’s what it covers and how to keep it cheap.
Quick answer
Contents insurance (indboforsikring) covers your belongings against theft, fire and water damage, and usually includes liability insurance if you damage someone else’s things. For a student it costs from roughly 60 to 150 kr a month. Check first whether your union, A-kasse or study programme has a student package, which is often the cheapest. Otherwise get a few quotes through Find Forsikring or Tjenestetorvet.
Do you need it?
It isn’t required by law. Your landlord’s insurance covers the building, not your things. If someone breaks in and takes your laptop, or a leaking pipe destroys your bed, you pay for it yourself without contents insurance.
Add up what you’d need to replace: laptop, phone, bike, clothes, furniture. For most students that’s 20,000 to 40,000 kr, which is why a policy at around 100 kr a month is usually worth it.
What it covers
A standard Danish indboforsikring covers:
- Theft from your home, including after a break-in.
- Fire, smoke and water damage from burst pipes.
- Liability (ansvarsforsikring): damage you accidentally cause to other people or their property. If your washing machine floods the flat below, this pays.
- Legal costs in some disputes (retshjælp).
Common add-ons:
- Bike theft. Bikes are stolen often in Danish cities. Many policies include bikes up to a limit; check the amount and that you need an approved lock.
- Accidental damage (all-risk), for example if you drop your laptop or phone.
- Travel cover, sometimes included or available as an add-on. See our travel insurance guide.
What it costs
| Option | Rough price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Student package through a union or A-kasse | About 1,400 to 1,700 kr a year | Often bundles contents, liability, accident and travel insurance at a student discount |
| Standalone contents insurance | About 60 to 150 kr a month | Depends on address, sum insured and excess |
| Added to your parents’ policy | Varies | Some Danish policies cover children living away from home while studying; ask |
The price depends on where you live (Copenhagen costs more), how much your things are worth, and the excess (selvrisiko) you pick. A higher excess means a lower monthly price.
Living in a kollegium?
Dorms usually insure the building and their own furniture, not your belongings. Ask the administration what’s covered. If the room is furnished, you may need less cover, but you still want liability insurance.
How to get quotes
Prices for the same cover vary a lot between insurers, so compare at least three. Quote services ask for your address and what you want covered, then send you offers:
- Find Forsikring sends you several offers for the same cover, free and without obligation.
- Tjenestetorvet does the same and also covers other insurance types.
→ Get insurance quotes with Find Forsikring
FAQ
Is contents insurance mandatory in Denmark?
No, but most people renting in Denmark have it, mainly for the liability cover.
Does indboforsikring cover my bike?
Often, up to a limit, if it was locked with an approved lock. Read the bike limit in your policy; an expensive bike may need extra cover.
Can I get insurance without a CPR number?
Most Danish insurers need a CPR number. Get a policy as soon as yours arrives.
Does contents insurance cover my laptop outside the home?
Basic policies often cover theft only at home. Accidental damage and theft away from home usually need an add-on.
Last checked: October 2026. Cover and prices differ between insurers. Read the policy terms for limits and excess before you buy.