Broken window: who pays?

Most home insurance policies offer glass breakage cover. It may be included as standard or as an option, with or without an excess.

Depending on the policy, it covers windows and glass doors, sometimes also conservatories, ceramic hobs, mirrors or shower screens. It often excludes scratches, glass being installed or damage caused during building work.

Only your policy counts: check the list of covered items, the excess and the deadline for claims.

Window broken in a break-in? Theft or vandalism cover usually applies, and a police report with the Police grand-ducale is required. Call 113.

As a general rule, replacing a broken pane is one of the tenant's repairs: the tenant, or their insurer, pays. The usual exceptions:

• Force majeure: hail, an exceptional storm. The landlord or the building insurance may be responsible.
• Wear or defect: a unit whose seal has failed with age or a faulty frame is more likely the landlord's responsibility.
• Break-in: if the tenant is not at fault, one side's insurer takes over depending on the policies.
• Common areas: a pane in the entrance hall or stairwell belongs to the co-ownership, so the property manager handles it.

What to do first

Tell your landlord or agency in writing, with photos, and have the opening secured straight away. Read your lease too: some say explicitly who pays for glazing.

Report the claim within the deadline in your policy, often a few working days. Do not wait for the final invoice.

To have the pane replaced and get a detailed invoice with before/after photos, see replace the window.

• Photos of the broken pane and the room, taken before cleaning up.
• A description of what happened, with date and time.
• The police report for a break-in or vandalism.
• The glazier's detailed invoice: glass type, dimensions, securing, fitting.
• Where needed, the quote before work, if your insurer asks for it.