German Phrase
Deckt mögliche Schäden an der Wohnung ab.
Meaning
This phrase is commonly found in insurance policies or rental agreements. It means that the policy or agreement provides financial protection against potential harm or destruction to the apartment. It specifies what kind of damage is included in the coverage.
When to use
You would typically encounter this phrase when reading an insurance contract (e.g., home insurance, liability insurance) or a rental agreement. It's used to describe the scope of protection offered for a property.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DecktmöglicheSchädenanderWohnungab.
Deckt... ab (abdecken)
'Abdecken' is a separable verb meaning 'to cover.' In a main clause, the prefix 'ab' separates and goes to the end of the sentence, while the conjugated verb 'deckt' stays in the second position.
mögliche
This is an adjective meaning 'possible.' It's declined to agree with the plural noun 'Schäden' in the accusative case, indicating that the damages are 'possible ones'.
Schäden
This is the plural noun for 'damage' or 'damages.' It's in the accusative case here as the direct object of the verb 'abdecken'.
an der Wohnung
'An' is a two-way preposition. Here, it's used with the dative case ('der Wohnung') to indicate the object *to which* the damage occurs. 'An der Wohnung' means 'to the apartment' or 'on the apartment'.
🗨In Conversation
Was genau deckt diese Versicherung ab?
What exactly does this insurance cover?
Sie deckt mögliche Schäden an der Wohnung ab, zum Beispiel Wasserschäden oder Brandschäden.
It covers possible damages to the apartment, for example water damage or fire damage.
✕Common Mistakes
Deckt mögliche Schäden in der Wohnung ab.
The preposition 'an' is used for damage *to* a structure, while 'in' would imply damage *inside* the apartment but not necessarily *to* its structure.
Deckt ab mögliche Schäden an der Wohnung.
The separable prefix 'ab' usually goes to the very end of the clause in main clauses, not directly after the conjugated verb.
Deckt mögliche Schäden der Wohnung ab.
'Schäden an der Wohnung' is the correct idiomatic expression for damage *to* the apartment, requiring the preposition 'an'.
↔Alternatives
Umfasst Schäden am Mietobjekt.
Includes damages to the rented property.
Bietet Schutz bei Beschädigungen der Immobilie.
Offers protection in case of damage to the property.
Versichert Schäden am Gebäude.
Insures damages to the building.
Cultural Tip
In Germany, insurance (Versicherung) is a significant part of daily life, and contracts are often very detailed and legally precise. Phrases like this emphasize the importance of understanding exactly what is covered (abgedeckt) and what is not. It's common for tenants to have Haftpflichtversicherung (liability insurance) and Hausratversicherung (contents insurance), while landlords typically have Gebäudeversicherung (building insurance). Always read the fine print!