Every car in Germany must carry Haftpflicht — the third-party liability cover the StVG §1 requires before a vehicle can legally move on public roads. No policy, no eVB number, no plates. That single sentence explains most of what makes German car insurance different from what you may be used to back home.

The rest of the system builds on top. Teilkasko adds protection against events outside your fault — theft, storms, wildlife collisions, the infamous Marderbiss. Vollkasko adds damage you cause to your own vehicle, including the dent in the supermarket parking garage nobody will admit to. Pick any one of the three; the first is mandatory, the other two depend on how much the car is worth and how much sleep you want to keep.

What German car insurance actually covers: the three tiers in plain English

Kfz-Versicherung operates as a three-tier stack, not three separate products. Haftpflicht is the floor — mandatory. Teilkasko sits on top and adds partial coverage for events outside your control. Vollkasko sits on top of Teilkasko and adds full comprehensive cover for damage you cause to your own car.

How much does car insurance in Germany cost in 2026?

According to GDV (2025 statistics), car insurers paid out more in claims than they collected in premiums for two consecutive years. Premiums adjusted upward. Vollkasko rates rose 21% year-over-year in 2024.

Tier Typical annual cost What it covers
Haftpflicht €150–€400 Damage to other people, vehicles, property. Legally required.
Teilkasko €200–€600 Haftpflicht + theft, fire, storm, hail, glass, wildlife collision.
Vollkasko €400–€1,100+ Teilkasko + damage to your own vehicle, vandalism.

Source: GDV premium data 2025; liveingermany.de expat ranges, March 2026.

Haftpflicht vs Teilkasko vs Vollkasko: what is the real difference?

Event Haftpflicht Teilkasko Vollkasko
You cause an accident, damage their car ✓ ✓ ✓
You cause an accident, damage your own — — ✓
Car stolen — ✓ ✓
Hail, storm, fire damage to your car — ✓ ✓
Marten bites engine cables — ✓ ✓
Vandalism (keyed, wing mirrors kicked) — — ✓

Source: ADAC coverage matrix, 2025; GDV Kfz-Versicherung Bedingungen.

Schadenfreiheitsklasse: the discount class that dominates your premium

The SF-Klasse is the single biggest factor in a German insurance premium after the Typklasse of the vehicle itself. A fresh expat with no German record typically starts at SF 0 or SF ½, paying between roughly 100% and 260% of the base rate. Every claim-free year moves you up one step.

November 30: the Stichtag nobody explains to expats

Almost every car insurance contract in Germany runs on the calendar year. The legal deadline to submit a cancellation is 30 November. Miss it and the contract auto-renews for another full year. Your cancellation must reach the insurer — not be sent — by 30 November.

How to get your eVB number before registering the car

The eVB — elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung — is a seven-character alphanumeric code your chosen insurer issues electronically. It is the proof of valid liability insurance the Zulassungsstelle requires before issuing plates. Online insurers issue the eVB number within minutes of signup.

Key takeaways

  • Haftpflicht is mandatory insurance — required by StVG §1 before any vehicle can register or move legally on German roads.
  • Teilkasko adds theft, fire, storm, wildlife, and glass; Vollkasko adds own-damage and vandalism on top.
  • 2026 premium ranges: Haftpflicht €150–€400, Teilkasko €200–€600, Vollkasko €400–€1,100+ per year.
  • SF-Klasse is the single biggest cost driver after vehicle type — expats start at SF 0 or SF ½.
  • The Stichtag for switching insurance providers is November 30.
  • The eVB number must be in hand before you visit the Zulassungsstelle.
  • Vollkasko generally stops being worth the premium after 7–9 years of vehicle age.

Sources and methodology

  • Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) — Kfz-Versicherung Typklassen Medieninformation, 9 September 2025
  • ADAC — Schadenfreiheitsklasse und Rabatte, February 2026 update
  • Verivox — Schadenfreiheitsklasse Tabelle 2026
  • StVG §1 and PflVG §1 — statutory mandatory-insurance provisions