Car Insurance Changes Germany 2026
If you drive in Germany, your car insurance premium probably changed in January 2026. The GDV (German Insurance Association) reassessed around 33,000 car models and published new risk ratings in September 2025. About 10 million drivers are affected.
Here is what changed, which cars got cheaper or more expensive, and what you can do about it.
What changed for 2026
The GDV looks at three years of accident and repair data for every car model registered in Germany. Based on the 2022-2024 numbers, they updated the type class ratings (German: Typklasse). These ratings directly affect how much you pay for car insurance.
The numbers from the GDV press release:
- Around 5.9 million drivers face higher liability insurance ratings (more expensive)
- Around 4.5 million get lower ratings (cheaper)
- For around 32 million drivers (about 75%), nothing changes
The new ratings took effect on September 9, 2025. Your insurer can apply them to your next policy renewal.
How type classes work
Every car model in Germany gets three separate risk ratings:
| Insurance type | Range | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Liability (Haftpflicht) | 10-25 | Damage your car causes to others |
| Partial comprehensive (Teilkasko) | 10-33 | Theft, weather, glass, fire |
| Full comprehensive (Vollkasko) | 10-34 | All damage, including self-caused |
Lower numbers mean cheaper insurance. A Fiat 500 with liability class 13 costs much less than a Porsche Cayenne with class 23. For a detailed breakdown, check our type classes 2026 page.
Which cars got cheaper in 2026
| Model | Liability | Change |
|---|---|---|
| VW ID.4 Pure 125 | 14 | Down 2 classes |
| BMW iX1 xDrive 30 | 14 | Down 2 classes |
| Renault Clio 1.3 | 13 | Down 2 classes |
| Ford Focus ST 2.3 | 16 | Down 2 classes |
Electric vehicles with good accident records are doing well. The VW ID.4 dropped two classes in liability. Not all EVs benefit though. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range sits at liability class 19 and comprehensive 25, above average.
Which cars got more expensive
| Model | Liability | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Renault Austral 1.3 | 21 | Up 3 classes |
| Ford Focus 1.0 | 16 | Up 2 classes |
| Mercedes GLA 250 e | 17 | Up 2 classes |
| Audi Q3 45 TFSI e | 18 | Up 1 class |
The Renault Austral stands out with a three-class jump in liability. According to GDV data, repair costs for this model increased over the past years.
What this means if you are an expat
A few things work differently if you did not grow up in the German insurance system:
Your no-claims bonus (SF-Klasse) matters most. The type class is about your car. The no-claims class is about you. If you just moved to Germany, you likely start at SF 0 or SF 1/2, which means you pay 140-230% of the base premium. After 10 accident-free years, that drops to about 45%. Some insurers accept proof of your driving history from your home country, but not all. Ask before you sign.
Regional class depends on your address. Where you register your car matters. Rural Brandenburg (class 1-3) is much cheaper than central Berlin (class 10-12). If you are choosing between two neighborhoods, this is worth checking. Our regional classes 2026 guide breaks down costs by city.
The switching deadline is November 30. Your cancellation letter needs to arrive at your current insurer by November 30. If your insurer raises your premium mid-year, you get a special cancellation right within one month.
For a full comparison, try our car insurance comparison tool.
5 ways to lower your car insurance cost
- Check the type class before buying a car. Small cars and older models are almost always cheaper to insure. Look up any car on the GDV database at typklasse.de.
- Compare providers every year. Same car, same driver, different prices. Our car insurance comparison shows offers from 300+ providers.
- Increase your deductible. A 300 EUR deductible on comprehensive coverage often cuts your premium by 20-30%.
- Use your cancellation rights. If your premium goes up because of a type class change, you can switch within one month.
- Ask about transferring your driving history. If you had car insurance abroad, some German insurers count those years toward your no-claims bonus. Bring documentation from your previous insurer.
- Try telematics. Safe drivers can save up to 30% with telematics-based insurance. Your driving data does the negotiating for you.
Bottom line
The 2026 type class changes affect about a quarter of all cars in Germany. If your car got a higher rating, compare providers before accepting the increase. If you are new to Germany, focus on building your no-claims bonus and comparing annually. Check our cheapest cars to insure in Germany guide if you are still deciding which car to buy.