Car Insurance Germany:Complete Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about liability, partial and comprehensive coverage in 2026. New type classes, telematics tariffs and money-saving tips for your auto insurance.
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Table of Contents
1. Car Insurance Types Overview
| Coverage | Liability | Partial | Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-Party Damages | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Theft | - | Yes | Yes |
| Fire & Explosion | - | Yes | Yes |
| Glass Breakage | - | Yes | Yes |
| Wildlife Accidents | - | Yes | Yes |
| Natural Events | - | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Caused Accidents | - | - | Yes |
| Vandalism | - | - | Yes |
| Typical Annual Cost | 350-450 Euro | 500-850 Euro | 650-1,300 Euro |
Third-Party Liability Insurance (Mandatory)
The legally required minimum coverage for all vehicles in Germany. No registration possible without it.
- Minimum coverage: 7.5 million euros for personal injury
- Minimum coverage: 1.22 million euros for property damage
- Does NOT cover your own vehicle
Partial Coverage (Teilkasko) - Optional
Protects against external influences on your vehicle that you did not cause yourself.
- Vehicle theft or theft of parts
- Fire, explosion, short circuit
- Glass breakage (windshield, windows)
- Wildlife accidents (collision with animals)
- Storm, hail, lightning, flooding
- Marten bite damage (including consequential damage depending on tariff)
Comprehensive Coverage (Vollkasko) - Optional
The most complete protection - includes all partial coverage benefits plus additional coverage.
- All partial coverage benefits included
- Self-caused accident damage
- Vandalism and intentional damage
- Hit-and-run by other party
- Ideal for new, leased, or financed vehicles
3. What's New in 2026
New Type Classes 2026
The GDV has recalculated type classes for 2026. Millions of vehicle owners are affected:
E-Car Insurance 2026
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly attractive to insure:
- Special e-car tariffs from many insurers
- Battery protection often included or optional
- Charging cable theft covered
- Short circuit damage from charging insured
- Up to 15% cheaper premiums than combustion vehicles
Telematics Tariffs Trending
More and more insurers are offering telematics tariffs. Here's how it works:
How It Works
- App or black box records driving behavior
- Braking, acceleration, cornering measured
- Driving time (day/night) considered
- Score determines discount
Potential Savings
- Up to 30% discount possible
- Ideal for careful drivers
- Especially interesting for new drivers
- No disadvantages for poor score
Other Changes in 2026
Euro 6e/7 Impact
New emission standards affect type classes for some models. Modern Euro 6e/7 vehicles are often rated more favorably.
eCall Requirement
New vehicles have automatic emergency call systems. Some insurers offer discounts for this.
4. Choosing the Right Insurance
New Vehicles (0-3 Years)
Recommendation: Comprehensive Coverage
- High vehicle value worth protecting
- Self-caused accidents covered
- GAP coverage important for leasing
- New price compensation possible
Middle-Aged Vehicles (3-7 Years)
Recommendation: Partial or Comprehensive Coverage
- Weigh: residual value vs. premium
- For value over 10,000 euros: consider comprehensive
- Partial covers theft/natural events
- Consider no-claims class
Older Vehicles (8+ Years)
Recommendation: Liability or Partial Coverage
- Low residual value = liability often sufficient
- Partial useful if theft risk exists
- Comprehensive usually not economical
- Consider repair costs vs. current value
Leasing & Financing
Recommendation: Comprehensive (Often Mandatory)
- Lessor often requires comprehensive
- GAP insurance strongly recommended
- Match deductible to lease agreement
- Return damage coverage separate
5. Money-Saving Tips for 2026
Compare Before November 30
The deadline for switching insurance is November 30th. Those who compare early have enough time.
Use Workshop Agreement
Those who commit to the insurer's partner workshops often save 10-20%.
Increase Deductible
A higher deductible significantly lowers the premium. 300 euros instead of 150 euros makes a big difference.
Choose Annual Payment
Monthly or quarterly payments often incur a 5-10% surcharge. Paying annually saves money.
Limit Driver Circle
Only list policyholder and partner as drivers if others rarely drive.
Register Second Car
With many insurers, a second car starts in a better no-claims class (often SF1/2).
6. Step-by-Step Switching Guide
Review Current Policy
Before switching, analyze your current contract:
- What coverage is included?
- What is your current no-claims class?
- When does the contract expire?
- What is the deductible?
Compare Online
Use a comparison calculator with current tariffs:
- Enter vehicle data (HSN/TSN from vehicle registration)
- Provide personal data and driving distance
- Select desired coverage
- Compare at least 5 offers
Cancel Old Contract
Cancellation must be done in time:
- Cancel in writing (letter, fax, or online)
- By November 30 at the latest for January 1 switch
- Use special cancellation right if premium increases
- Keep cancellation confirmation
Sign New Insurance
Complete the new contract in time:
- Online signing usually cheapest
- Receive eVB number (electronic insurance confirmation)
- Set start date to January 1
- Review documents carefully
Ensure Seamless Transition
Continuous insurance coverage is important:
- Old insurance ends December 31 at 24:00
- New insurance starts January 1 at 00:00
- No gap in insurance coverage
- No-claims class is automatically transferred
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which car insurance is mandatory in Germany?
Third-party liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung) is legally required in Germany. Without it, no vehicle may participate in public road traffic and no registration can be obtained. It covers damages you cause to other road users.
What is the difference between partial and comprehensive coverage?
Partial coverage (Teilkasko) protects against external influences: theft, fire, glass breakage, wildlife accidents, storm, hail, and flooding.
Comprehensive coverage (Vollkasko) includes all partial coverage benefits plus self-caused accidents and vandalism. It also pays when you caused the damage yourself.
What does the type class mean for car insurance?
The type class is based on the damage statistics of a vehicle model. Vehicles that are more frequently involved in accidents or cause higher repair costs have a higher type class and thus higher insurance premiums. Type classes are recalculated annually by the GDV.
By when must I cancel my car insurance?
The regular cancellation deadline is November 30 for switching on January 1. Cancellation must be in writing. In case of a premium increase, you have a special cancellation right of 4 weeks from notification.
What are telematics tariffs?
Telematics tariffs measure driving behavior via app or black box. Factors like braking behavior, acceleration, cornering, and driving time are recorded. Careful drivers can receive up to 30% discount. In 2026, more and more insurers are offering these tariffs.
How does the no-claims class work?
The no-claims class (SF-Klasse) rewards accident-free driving. With each claim-free year, your no-claims class increases and your premium rate decreases. The highest class is SF50. A claim leads to downgrading, typically by 3-4 classes. The no-claims class can be transferred to relatives under certain conditions.
Is comprehensive coverage worth it for an older car?
For older vehicles with low residual value, comprehensive coverage is often not economical. Rules of thumb: If the annual comprehensive premium is more than 10% of the vehicle value, partial coverage or liability only is usually more sensible. For vehicles worth less than 3,000 euros, liability insurance alone is often sufficient.
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