Car Insurance Germany 2026:Liability, Partial & Comprehensive
The short answer: liability insurance (Haftpflicht) is legally required and pays for damage to others. Partial coverage (Teilkasko) adds protection against theft, hail and animal collisions, while comprehensive (Vollkasko) also covers self-caused accidents and vandalism. This guide explains every benefit in detail.
Last updated: 21 June 2026 · checkeverything.de Redaktion
Key Takeaways
- 1Liability insurance (Haftpflicht) is legally required for every registered vehicle (Compulsory Insurance Act, PflVG) and covers damage to third parties.
- 2Partial coverage (Teilkasko) protects your vehicle against theft, fire, glass damage, natural disasters and animal collisions, independent of SF classes.
- 3Comprehensive (Vollkasko) includes all partial coverage benefits and additionally pays for self-caused accidents and vandalism.
- 4The no-claims class (SF) determines a large part of the premium; a partial coverage claim does not affect it, a comprehensive claim does.
- 5November 30th is the switching deadline for most contracts. An annual comparison noticeably lowers your premium.
1. Mandatory Insurance in Germany
In Germany, motor vehicle liability insurance is legally required. The legal basis is the Compulsory Insurance Act (Pflichtversicherungsgesetz, PflVG). According to § 1 PflVG, every owner of a motor vehicle or trailer must take out liability insurance before using the vehicle on public roads.
Important Notice
Driving a vehicle without valid liability insurance is a criminal offence under § 6 PflVG. Penalties include fines or imprisonment of up to one year, and the vehicle's registration expires.
Statutory Minimum Coverage (KfzPflVV)
Recommendation: The German consumer association (Verbraucherzentrale) advises a flat coverage amount of at least 50 to 100 million euros to be adequately protected in serious accidents with several injured parties.
2. Liability Insurance (Haftpflicht)
Liability insurance is the foundation of every car insurance policy. It protects you from the financial consequences when you cause damage to other road users. Anyone who takes out partial or comprehensive cover always has liability insurance included automatically.
What Liability Covers
Not Covered
Damage to your own vehicle is not covered by liability insurance. For that, you need partial coverage or comprehensive insurance.
3. Partial Coverage (Teilkasko)
Partial coverage is voluntary additional insurance that covers damage to your own vehicle in certain events. An important advantage: there are no no-claims classes – a partial coverage claim does not lead to premium increases.
Partial Coverage Benefits
Theft
Theft of the entire vehicle or vehicle parts (e.g. mirrors, wheels)
Fire and Explosion
Fire damage, including spontaneous combustion (not from engine overheating)
Natural Disasters
Hail, lightning, flooding, storms from wind force 8
Glass Breakage
Windshield, side windows, rear window (often with reduced/no deductible)
Animal Collisions
Collisions with game animals (deer, wild boar). Some tariffs include all animals.
Marten Damage
Direct bite damage; many tariffs also include consequential engine damage
Deductible Recommendation
A deductible of 150 euros for partial coverage is a good compromise. It noticeably reduces the annual premium but does not burden you too much in case of a claim. For glass damage, many insurers offer a reduced or no deductible.
4. Comprehensive Insurance (Vollkasko)
Comprehensive insurance offers the most complete protection for your vehicle. It includes all partial coverage benefits and additionally covers self-caused damage and vandalism.
Additional Comprehensive Benefits
When is Comprehensive Worth It?
- New cars and high-value vehicles (first 4–5 years)
- Financed or leased vehicles (often required by contract)
- Frequent parking in public spaces
- Unfavourable no-claims class (little difference to partial coverage)
Note About No-Claims Classes
Unlike partial coverage, no-claims classes are tracked for comprehensive insurance. A self-caused accident leads to downgrading and thus higher premiums in subsequent years. For minor damage, consider whether paying yourself is more cost-effective.
5. Insurance Type Comparison
The table below shows which damage each coverage level pays for. Note that partial and comprehensive cover are always combined with liability insurance; the columns therefore show only the additional benefits of each level.
| Coverage | Liability | Partial | Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-party damage | ✓ | – | – |
| Theft | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Glass breakage | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Natural disasters (hail, storm) | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Animal collisions | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Marten damage | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-caused accidents | – | – | ✓ |
| Vandalism | – | – | ✓ |
| Hit-and-run | – | – | ✓ |
| No-claims classes | Yes | No | Yes |
6. No-Claims Classes (SF-Klassen)
The no-claims class is one of the most important factors for your premium. It reflects your claim-free years and determines the discount you receive. The premium rates below are approximate and vary by insurer.
| SF Class | Claim-Free Years | Premium Rate (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| SF 0 | 0 years | 100–230% |
| SF ½ | New driver | 100–200% |
| SF 1 | 1 year | 85–100% |
| SF 3 | 3 years | 55–70% |
| SF 5 | 5 years | 45–55% |
| SF 10 | 10 years | 35–45% |
| SF 20 | 20 years | 28–35% |
| SF 35+ | 35+ years | 20–25% |
Transferring SF Classes
Under certain conditions, the SF class can be transferred to family members (e.g. from parents to children). This is especially valuable for new drivers, as they can benefit from a better premium rate. Ask your insurer about the exact conditions.
7. Money-Saving Tips for Car Insurance 2026
Choose Annual Payment
Annual payment is usually cheaper than monthly or quarterly payments. Insurers often grant a discount for it.
Realistic Mileage Estimate
State your annual mileage realistically. Fewer kilometres mean lower accident risk and lower premiums.
Adjust Your Deductible
A higher deductible (e.g. 300 euros partial, 500 euros comprehensive) reduces premiums. Make sure you can cover the deductible if needed.
Consider Workshop Binding
If you accept workshop binding, you must use a partner workshop for claims, but you save on premiums.
Restrict the Driver Circle
The fewer drivers using the car, the cheaper. Only list regular drivers and watch the minimum age.
Compare Annually
Type and regional classes change every year. Use the November 30th deadline to compare current offers.
8. Car Insurance Comparison Calculator 2026
Which coverage level and tariff is cheapest for you can only be shown by an individual comparison. Enter your vehicle data and compare current rates for liability, partial and comprehensive cover. The comparison is free and non-binding.
Brokered via our partner Tarifcheck. There are no costs for you; we receive a commission if a policy is concluded.
Your Benefits with Online Comparison
- Current rates from various insurers
- Non-binding offers without purchase obligation
- Direct online completion possible
- SSL-encrypted data transmission
9. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between liability, partial coverage (Teilkasko), and comprehensive (Vollkasko)?
Is partial coverage included in comprehensive insurance?
What are the minimum coverage amounts for car liability insurance in Germany 2026?
When is comprehensive insurance (Vollkasko) worth it in 2026?
What does the no-claims class (SF-Klasse) mean?
What does partial coverage (Teilkasko) not cover?
When can I cancel my car insurance?
What are the type class and regional class?
Conclusion: The Right Car Insurance for Your Needs
Choosing the right car insurance depends on your vehicle, your financial situation, and your security needs. While liability is legally required, partial coverage and comprehensive offer additional protection for your own vehicle.
Older Vehicles
Liability, possibly with a cheap partial coverage add-on
Mid-Age Vehicles
Liability plus partial coverage usually makes sense
New Cars
Comprehensive for the first four to five years
Sources and Further Information
Related Guides
No-Claims Bonus Classes 2026: SF Table & Discounts
How your SF class shapes your premium — full table and discount rates.
Car Insurance in Germany
Types of car insurance, prices and how to compare for free.
Car Insurance Comparison 2026
Compare tariffs from leading insurers and find your best rate.
Planning to buy a car? Our loan comparison guide explains what matters when financing, and the credit card comparison highlights cards with fuel rebates.
Legal Notice
The information on this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute insurance or legal advice. For individual questions about your insurance coverage, please consult a licensed insurance advisor. The stated values and percentages are approximate and may vary depending on the insurer and individual situation. Last updated: 21 June 2026.