motor third-party liability insurance
- third-party liability. Compulsory insurance covering damage caused by you to other road users. Equivalent to an MTPL policy.
third-party, fire and theft insurance
— recommended minimum. Partial comprehensive car insurance, including damage coverage for your own vehicle. For example:
- damage to car windows;
- damage resulting from fires, explosions;
- theft or hijacking;
- hail, floods and other natural disasters;
- short circuit, provided the damage did not arise from the connection of third-party devices with a damaged cable.
- collisions with wild animals and marten damage.
Comprehensive insurance
— comprehensive insurance, equivalent to fully comprehensive (Comprehensive). Includes the points of Teilkasko, plus damage caused to your own vehicle through your fault is covered. In addition:- cover for vandalism;
Additional option:
breakdown cover
— towing and roadside assistance service in the event of an accident or breakdown. It applies to the vehicle, regardless of the driver. The service will fix minor breakdowns on the spot.
If the accident occurred more than 50 kilometres from home and the car cannot be repaired immediately or has been stolen, the insurance will reimburse travel expenses (taxi, train, plane, car hire) and pay for a hotel room. If you are abroad, the service covers the cost of sending spare parts or transporting the faulty car to your place of residence.
What does the price of the policy depend on
The same car belonging to two neighbours can differ in price by one and a half to two times. The contribution is not calculated «by car», but by a dozen factors, and three of them carry more weight than the rest.
insurance group
Each model is assigned a class based on its actual accident statistics: how many claims were made for it and for what total amount. They are reviewed once a year. In Haftpflicht there are 16 classes, in Vollkasko 25, and in Teilkasko 24.
By 2026, the licence category had changed for around a quarter of drivers: approximately 5.9 million were upgraded to a higher category, around 4.5 million were downgraded, whilst 32 million (75 %) retained their original category.
regional class — insurance rating based on vehicle location
It is calculated based on claims in the county where the vehicle is registered, with a total of 413 counties. For 2026, the class increased for approximately 5 million drivers in 48 counties, and decreased for 5.3 million in 51 counties. Important: the calculation is based on where the car is registered, not where you drive.
no-claims bonus
The most significant personal factor. The longer you drive without claims, the lower the percentage of the basic premium you pay — and the more costly every minor damage claim becomes. If you have moved, your driving history from your country of departure can sometimes be carried over; there is a separate section on this below.
Next come the annual mileage, garage, list of authorised drivers, payment method (annual payment is cheaper than monthly), excess, and the obligation to have repairs carried out at the insurer's workshop.
When to change your insurer
The standard contract runs from 1 January to 31 December, and it needs to be cancelled one month before the end of the insurance year. Hence the Stichtag (key date) is 30 November; in 2026 it is a Monday, there will be no carry-over to the following day.
You can leave early in three cases, and you are given a month for each:
- the insurer has put up the premium, but the terms are the same — one month from the date of the notice;
- following the settlement of the insurance claim, one month from the closing of the case, with the right being mutual;
- change of vehicle. Upon sale, the policy automatically transfers to the buyer, and the unused portion of the premium is refunded to you.
Since 2022, car insurance premiums have risen by an average of 40 %, so the variation between premiums has become more pronounced: according to Finanztip’s calculations for 2026, switching insurers and adjusting your policy can save you between a third and a half of your premium.
Compare tariffs and take out car or motorbike insurance
You can compare all the offers on the market yourself and choose the best one for you (for example, on the portal Verivox), based on your needs – from the bare minimum compulsory insurance cover (Kfz-Haftpflicht) to comprehensive Vollkasko.
You can calculate and arrange a cost-effective car insurance policy online. Simple, reliable, fast.
If you ever need help, you can always contact us for a personal consultation.
eVB number
After choosing a suitable insurance company, you need eVB number — the electronic insurance confirmation number, which will be needed for registering the vehicle in Germany. Its presence confirms that the transport vehicle has the necessary insurance cover. It does not need to be paid for separately — everything is included in the cost of the future insurance. The eVB number is considered valid for up to 12 months without activation and for approximately 2 weeks after activation.
Important! As long as the electronic insurance confirmation number (eVB-Nummer) has not been used, for example to register a car, it is possible to choose another company or not conclude a contract at all. Using the eVB confirms your intention and makes it necessary to conclude a contract with the chosen insurer.
You will find the complete list of documents for the registration and vehicle taxation of a car from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and other third countries here.
Legal protection on the roads
- Legal protection
If you want to claim damages after an accident or if the compensation is insufficient.
- Administrative offences
Contest the speeding fine or you will face the wrongful revocation of your licence.
- Legal protection in the fields of contract and property law
If your car still has defects after being repaired in the garage.
- Criminal law protection
If you have to defend yourself against a charge of causing bodily harm by negligence following an accident.
- Legal protection for pedestrians
If you have been injured in a road traffic accident as a pedestrian, cyclist or e-bike rider.
- Tax legal defence
If the tax office miscalculates your vehicle tax.
- Tax legal defence
If the tax office miscalculates your vehicle tax.
Marital status: single
For all vehicles registered to the policyholder and the insured persons — €15.02 per month
For the sole vehicle registered in the insured person's name — €11.50 per month
Marital status: married
For all vehicles registered to the policyholder and the insured persons — €16.69 per month
For the sole vehicle registered in the insured person's name — €11.50 per month
Recognition of non-EU claim-free driving history
With some insurance companies, you can have your no-claims history from your home country recognised if you go through an approval process and meet a number of conditions; this takes about 1 week (there will be a recalculation). This can help you get more favourable insurance terms.
Required documents for the recognition of no-claims history
A certificate of no claims from your home country from your insurance company (or insurance companies) – listing each year of insurance and the dates. We will approve it and then let you know the result. Original certificates and their translations will also be required.
What documents do you need to carry with you in the car?
You need to carry your insurance policy with you — in the event of an accident, the police will need the name of the insurance company and the insurance policy number. It is important to have with you documents confirming your right to drive a car (driving licence) and the vehicle registration (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I).
I've been in an accident, what should I do?
- Stop. In Germany, as in any other country, you must stop after an accident. Failing to stop is considered a crime.
- Ensure safety. If it is safe to do so, get out of the vehicle and place a warning triangle at a distance to alert other drivers. Do not forget to wear a high-vis jacket.
- Call for help. If there are any casualties, call an ambulance on 112. Report the incident to the police by calling 110. If the accident is minor and no one is injured, it is possible that the police will not come, but you must still call and report it.
- Information exchange. Exchange contact details and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident.
- Take photographs and notes. Record and log the details of the accident. Take photographs and record information about the other parties involved in the accident, including their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and vehicle registration numbers.
- Notify your insurance company. Following the accident, immediately contact your insurance company and report the incident. They can help you with the next steps.
- Вvisit to the doctor. Even if there are no visible injuries, see a doctor just in case.
Remember that these are general guidelines and actions may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the accident.
How long can you drive on Ukrainian plates?
For refugees from Ukraine, vehicle registration is not compulsory for 1 year from the date of entry into Germany. However, you must also have valid car insurance — Ukrainian Green Card (by 01/06/2023) or a Border Card.
What should you do if a year has passed since entering Germany? After 12 months, you must re-register your car and get German number plates. The procedure for registration, obtaining an eVB number, and car insurance is the same as for other cars from third countries.
Despite the decision regarding cars with Ukrainian registration still being pending, you need to prepare the documents for customs clearance. Customs clearance during the first 12 months of your stay here is free of charge. To do this, you need to fill in the paperwork.
How to fill in form 0350?
👉You can download the form here
👉 Form registry, Customs declaration for removal goods 0350
Please note the form consists of three identical copies, the only difference being who the copies are intended for. You fill out the first page and a half of each copy, and customs fills out the rest. After checking, they will send your copy back to you.
🔻 2) Surname, first name, address in Germany
🔻 3) Date of registration (date of first registration in Germany or another EU country)
🔻 4) insert «Ukraine»
🔻 5) enter the vehicle owner's date of birth and the day before their registration date in Germany
(01.01.1960 — 05.03.2022, if registered in Germany on 06.03.2022)
🔻6) do not fill in
🔻7) your current registered address in Germany
🔻8) do not fill in (time for refugees has been cancelled)
🔻9) insert «1 Stück»
🔻10) enter the car make and model, including the VIN (vehicle identification number)
🔻11) to 14) do not fill in
put a cross next to «persönlich benutzt worden»
🔻16) Do not put a tick in the box
🔻 17) put crosses in the second line Bescheinigung der ausländischen Behörde…. and in the third line on Bescheinigung der deutschen Anmeldebehörde
🔻 19) city, date, signature
Along with the completed documents, you need to bring:
Three copies of the registration certificate, three copies of the Fiktionsbescheinigung/residence permit, three copies of the vehicle registration document, three copies of your international passport/passport
Duty-free customs clearance within the first 12 months of your stay here does not obligate you to register the car here afterwards.
Source
Do you need help?
Need help choosing mandatory and additional insurance in Germany? Submit an application for a free personal consultation or ccontact us:
By email: [email protected]
On Telegram: t.me/Finber_support
Calculating the tax you need to pay for a car is easy.
It depends on the car's date of manufacture, fuel type, engine power and harmful emissions. Enter the required data in the calculator below to find out the amount of your tax.
The calculation was carried out using resources of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Vehicle type - vehicle type and date of first registration.
Drive type - fuel type (petrol/diesel).
engine capacity in cc — Engine displacement in cc.
CO2-Wert in g/km — CO2 emissions in grams per kilometre.
.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here you can try to find your car yourself to specify the HSN & TSN. You can also find this data in the vehicle registration certificate (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I/Teil II).
Don't worry, we can help you find these details. The HSN (Herstellerschlüsselnummer) and TSN (Typschlüsselnummer) are unique codes that identify the manufacturer and model of your vehicle. They are required for taking out car insurance in Germany. The price may change after the policy is issued, as we will select a similar car ourselves (roughly matching the specifications).
Service autoampel.de — will help you find out your car's accident rate, which determines the cost of your car insurance.
This website provides information on accident ratings for all cars available in Germany. Since there are three main types of insurance in Germany, the data on the site is presented in three corresponding columns. The lower the figures in these columns, the better, though special attention should be paid to the Haftplicht column, which largely affects the cost of insurance. Differences in this metric, all other things being equal, can lead to a significant difference in amounts, running into hundreds of euros.
It is especially important to choose a car with low ratings for those who have a short insurance history (SF class) in Germany, as this can significantly reduce the cost of insurance.
This is an additional option for your car insurance that offers roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown or other vehicle problems. If your car breaks down on the road, you call and a service arrives to help restore the car's operability on the spot or tow the car to a garage. The Schutzbrief can also include other services, such as assistance with a flat tyre or a battery replacement.
International motor vehicle damage protection. In some countries, motor insurance is not compulsory or minimum insured sums are significantly lower than in Germany. Auslandsschadenschutz covers damage up to the level of cover agreed in Germany, or pays the difference if the at-fault party's insurance cover is insufficient. This option can be useful when travelling abroad, especially to countries with low motor insurance requirements. Cost: 10 to 20 euros a year.
Driver injury protection insurance. During an accident, the damage caused to passengers is insured, but the damage caused to the driver is not. Fahrerschutz is specifically aimed at protecting the driver who has sustained bodily injury as a result of an accident for which they are to blame. This option can cover medical and rehabilitation costs, as well as compensate for loss of income due to temporary incapacity for work.
Car repairs at the insurer’s partner garage. Choosing a partner garage can offer you benefits such as a repair warranty and prompt service. Furthermore, choosing a partner garage can entitle you to a discount of up to 20% on your insurance premium.
Protection against payment amount changes. This additional option helps maintain the SF accident-free record after 1 accident per year. This option is not cheap, so you need to calculate how beneficial it is specifically for you. It can be useful for drivers with a high accident-free record who want to avoid an increase in insurance costs after an accident.
Legal protection: if you want to claim compensation after an accident or if the compensation is insufficient. It also applies to administrative, legal, criminal and other offences related to the car. This option can help you get legal assistance and protection in the event of disputes or problems related to the vehicle. Read more in our article Rlegal expenses insurance.
Mallorca policy is additional cover for car rental abroad. In the event of claims, it provides protection at the level of insurance limits in Germany. Thus, you get a policy. This option can be useful for those who frequently rent cars abroad and want to have additional protection.
This is third-party liability insurance. It is compulsory insurance that covers damage caused by you to other road users. The equivalent of a motor third-party liability policy. This insurance is compulsory for all car owners in Germany and covers the costs of compensation for damage caused to other people or their property as a result of an accident.
This is the recommended minimum. Partial comprehensive insurance, including cover for damage to your own car. For example:
- damage resulting from fires, explosions;
- theft or hijacking;
- hail, floods and other natural disasters;
- short circuit, provided the damage did not arise from the connection of third-party devices with a damaged cable.
- collisions with wild animals and marten damage.
This is fully comprehensive insurance, the equivalent of fully comprehensive (fully comp). It includes the provisions of Teilkasko (third party, fire and theft / partial cover), plus damage caused to your vehicle by your fault is covered. In addition to this: cover in the event of vandalism.
Not possible, as Teilkasko is the main part of Vollkasko. Vollkasko includes all Teilkasko coverages, as well as additional options to protect your car.
After selecting a suitable insurance company, we obtain the eVB-Nummer — the electronic insurance confirmation number needed for vehicle registration in Germany. Having this confirms that the vehicle has the necessary insurance cover. It does not need to be paid for separately — everything is included in the cost of the future insurance policy.
If you want to change your insurance company after registering your vehicle, you can contact us and we will help you find the best deal. Send us your insurance policy number, the insurance policy itself and fill in the form here. We will send you a quote and then change your insurance.
You currently have minimal cover after using the eVB number. Send us the vehicle documents, we will submit the application to the insurance company and you will have full car insurance. We will help you choose the most suitable type of insurance for you and arrange the policy.
You must send us the Zulassungsbescheinigung Part I (small green booklet) and we will finalise the car insurance process. This document contains information about your vehicle and is required to issue the policy.
Usually, the issuance of the policy takes 3-4 days. You will receive the policy by regular mail and email. We can also email you a copy of the policy for your convenience.
Go to your insurance company's website, find «Schaden», and fill in the form. If you have any questions, write to us! We will help you fill out the form and submit your claim.
Contact us, and we will send the documents to the insurance company (we need: surname / first name, date of birth, date of issue of the first driving licence). We will help you add an additional driver to your policy and let you know the change in cost.
The excess reduces the cost of the insurance policy. Suppose you have a €150 excess on a partial comprehensive policy, and the damage from an incident amounts to €900. You will pay €150, and the insurer will pay the rest. The excess allows you to reduce the amount of the annual insurance payment, but in the event of damage, you will have to pay part of the costs yourself.
Definitely! Please send us the address and we will forward the details to the insurance company. A change of address may affect the cost of your insurance, as the risks can vary depending on where you live.
When the policy arrives, it will show the payment date. Payment is usually made annually or monthly depending on the terms of your policy.
What else to read about the car
- Car insurance in Germany — quick breakdown: what each policy covers and a comparison table.
- Documents for registering a car — what to take with you to the Zulassungsstelle.
- Green card — in which countries it is required and how to get it by e-mail.
- Broken car window — when a chip is repaired and when the windscreen is replaced.
- breakdown cover — what to do when your car breaks down and who to call.
- Fines for motorists — current catalogue with points.
- Exchange of driving licence — timescales and procedure.
- Moving to Germany in your own car customs clearance and registration.
Who wrote this. Valeriy Melekh, independent insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler) pursuant to Section 34d (1) of the German Trade Regulation Act (GewO), registration number D-HIAG-TDBW7-60, IHK Rhein-Neckar, Mannheim. 20 years of practice in Germany.
Sources of the figures: GDV — model classes for 2026 and regional classes; ADAC — right to early termination.
This material is for informational purposes only and does not replace a review of your contract. The figures were verified in August 2026.
Image by storyset
Good morning!
Apologies for the disturbance. My name is Georgiy, and I live and work in Germany. We have had the idea of starting a family car rental business. I am an amateur when it comes to insurance. We are talking about an initial number of cars, approximately five vehicles worth from 30,000 euros each, with a power output from 250 PS. Of course, everyone is looking for reliable and not too expensive insurance. I do not need detailed information from you yet, nor to waste your time or make appointments, but based on my plan, could you tell me roughly what the insurance amount (comprehensive / Vollkasko) for five cars would be per month or per year? .
Of course, I've also reached out to other companies with the same question. .
Have a good week.
God bless you!