Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy car insurance through our comparison, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect the rates or results shown.
Car Insurance in Germany 2026: Compare Rates in English
Compare car insurance in Germany in English, no German required. Whether you call it motor insurance, auto insurance, or KFZ-Versicherung, it is mandatory for every car here. Compare Haftpflicht, Teilkasko, and Vollkasko rates and find the right policy.
Key Takeaways
Last updated: July 2026- Liability insurance (Haftpflicht) is required by law for every registered car in Germany — you cannot register without it.
- Switching insurers saves up to 50% for the same coverage, according to Finanztip. The regular deadline is November 30.
- Premiums are rising again in 2026: industry analyses estimate about 5% for liability, 6% for Teilkasko, and 8% for Vollkasko.
- Any nationality can get insured. Your EVB number for car registration usually arrives by email within minutes.
Compare Car Insurance in Germany
Last updated: July 2026
Enter your car details below. The comparison is free, takes about 2 minutes, and shows you real offers. Need financing for your car purchase? We can help with that too.
The 3 Types of Car Insurance in Germany
Every car in Germany needs at least third-party liability (Haftpflicht). Teilkasko adds partial coverage, Vollkasko gives you fully comprehensive insurance. Here is how they compare.
Haftpflicht
Liability - MANDATORY
Covers damage you cause to other people, vehicles, and property. Required by law for every registered car.
- Third-party damage covered
- Personal injury to others
- Required for EVB number
Teilkasko
Partial Coverage - Optional
Adds protection for your own car against theft, fire, weather, glass damage, and animal collisions.
- Theft and break-in
- Storm, hail, flooding
- Good for cars worth 3k-15k EUR
Vollkasko
Comprehensive - Optional
Everything from Teilkasko plus self-caused accidents, vandalism, and hit-and-run damage.
- All Teilkasko benefits included
- Self-caused accident damage
- Best for new or leased cars
What Does Car Insurance Cost in Germany in 2026?
Typical annual premiums in 2026 run about 200-400 EUR for third-party liability (Haftpflicht), 250-500 EUR for partial coverage (Teilkasko), and 400-900 EUR for comprehensive cover (Vollkasko), based on Finanztip price checks and current market overviews. Your own price depends on your SF class, the car model's Typklasse, where you park it, and your annual mileage.
| Coverage level | Typical range per year | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Haftpflicht (liability) | 200-400 EUR | Everyone (required by law) |
| Teilkasko (partial) | 250-500 EUR | Cars worth roughly 3,000 EUR and up |
| Vollkasko (comprehensive) | 400-900 EUR | New, financed, or leased cars |
Same car, double the price
The spread between insurers is bigger than most people expect. In Finanztip's 2026 price check, quotes for a VW Golf with Teilkasko in Göttingen ranged from 250 to 500 EUR a year: same car, same cover, twice the price. For a Skoda Enyaq with Vollkasko in Munich, the range was 536 to 679 EUR. That gap is exactly why comparing beats renewing.
Car Insurance for Foreigners and Expats in Germany
Good news: your nationality does not matter. Anyone registering a car in Germany can get insured. The tricky part is the SF class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse), Germany's no-claims bonus system. Without proof of previous insurance history, you start at SF 0, which means you pay the full base premium. Each claim-free year moves you up one class, lowering your rate.
Transferring Your No-Claims Bonus
- EU/EEA: Good chances of full or partial SF transfer
- Non-EU: Varies widely. Some insurers give partial bonuses
- Bring a claims-free letter from your old insurer (English or German)
Documents You Need
- ID or passport
- Fahrzeugschein (vehicle registration)
- German IBAN (open a free account if you do not have one yet)
- Driving license (EU valid indefinitely, non-EU valid 6 months)
Not every German insurer offers English support, so if paperwork in German feels intimidating, ask before you sign, or start with the comparison tool above, which runs entirely in English. If you want your SF class transferred, get the acceptance confirmed in writing before you cancel any policy back home.
Looking to get a loan without German credit history? Or need a free credit card for everyday payments? We have comparison tools for those too.
New to Germany? Health insurance in English is another essential step when you first arrive. Driving an EV? Check our electric car insurance guide for battery coverage, special rates, and what makes insuring an EV different.
What Affects Your Car Insurance Price
SF Class
Most important factor. Claim-free years lower your rate.
Where You Live
Rural areas are cheaper. Cities have more accidents and theft.
Car Type
Each model has a Typklasse. See the 2026 type class changes.
Annual Mileage
Fewer km per year = lower risk = lower premium.
Deductible
Higher Selbstbeteiligung = lower premium. Common: 150-500 EUR.
Driver Circle
Restricting who drives the car lowers the price.
Garage Parking
Cars in a garage or carport get lower rates.
Payment Frequency
Monthly payment adds around 10% surcharge. Annual is cheapest.
SF Class Discount Overview
| SF Class | Claim-Free Years | You Pay (% of Base) |
|---|---|---|
| SF 0 | 0 | ~100% |
| SF 1 | 1 | ~85% |
| SF 3 | 3 | ~65% |
| SF 5 | 5 | ~52% |
| SF 10 | 10 | ~40% |
| SF 20 | 20 | ~28% |
| SF 35+ | 35+ | ~22% |
The EVB Number: Your Insurance Proof
The EVB number (elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung) is a 7-character code that proves you have car insurance. Without it, the Zulassungsstelle will not register your car.
What Is It?
A digital insurance confirmation. Replaces the old paper cards. Sent by SMS or email within minutes.
How to Get It?
Compare above, sign up for liability at minimum, get your EVB instantly.
How Long Valid?
Typically 3-6 months. If it expires before registration, request a new one for free.
Need your EVB number fast? Get your EVB number quickly.
Get Insured Today: Instant EVB Number
Need to register your car right away? Car insurance in Germany moves fast online. Compare offers above, pick a provider, and your EVB number usually lands in your inbox within minutes, sometimes an hour or two during busy periods. The EVB replaced the old paper insurance cards back in 2008, so the whole process runs through the GDV's digital system, no forms to mail.
The real bottleneck is rarely the insurance itself, it is getting a Zulassungsstelle appointment. In Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg, wait times can run 2-4 weeks, so book your slot before you start comparing. For a full walkthrough of what to bring and how long your EVB stays valid, see our quick EVB number guide.
How to Switch Your Car Insurance
Key deadline: November 30. Most car insurance contracts run January to December. Your cancellation must reach your current insurer by November 30 at the latest.
Compare by November
Use our comparison tool to find a better rate. Start in October or early November.
Cancel by Nov 30
Send written cancellation to your old insurer. Many new insurers handle this for you.
New Policy Starts Jan 1
Your new coverage begins automatically. Your SF class transfers to the new insurer.
Special cancellation rights: You can switch outside the regular deadline if your insurer raises your premium (§ 40 VVG), after a claim is settled, or when you buy or sell a vehicle. In those cases, you have one month to cancel from the date you get the notification. For a detailed walkthrough, see our step-by-step switching guide.
8 Tips to Save on Car Insurance
Compare every year
Rates change annually. A 5-minute comparison can save you hundreds.
Transfer your bonus
Bring proof from abroad, or take over a family member's SF class.
Pay annually
Monthly installments cost around 10% extra, quarterly about 7% (Finanztip). Yearly is cheapest.
Higher deductible
Choosing 300-500 EUR deductible can lower your premium noticeably.
Restrict driver circle
Only register the people who actually drive the car.
Declare your garage
Garage or carport parking lowers your risk class and premium.
Accurate mileage
Report your real annual km. Under 10,000 km/year gets better rates.
Werkstattbindung
Agreeing to use insurer-approved workshops saves up to 20% (Finanztip).
Wondering which car models are the cheapest cars to insure in Germany? That guide ranks specific models by insurance cost. Car insurance is just one piece of the puzzle — check out our complete insurance guide for Germany to see which other policies you actually need and which ones you can skip. Also compare life insurance for family protection.
Why Car Insurance Premiums Are Rising in 2026
Car insurance in Germany is getting more expensive again in 2026. Industry analyses estimate increases of roughly 5% for Haftpflicht, 6% for Teilkasko, and 8% for Vollkasko.
Repair costs are the main driver. According to the German insurers' association GDV, workshop hourly rates have passed 200 EUR for the first time — about 202 EUR for mechanical work and 220 EUR for paint work — and spare-part prices have climbed more than 80% since 2015, far outpacing general inflation.
For you, this means one thing: the gap between the cheapest and most expensive insurer for the same car and driver is often several hundred euros a year, so comparing pays off. Where you live matters too: see how car insurance costs by city vary across Germany in 2026.
Also Riding a Motorcycle?
The same three coverage levels apply to motorcycles: Haftpflicht is mandatory, Teilkasko and Vollkasko are optional. If you only ride from spring to fall, a seasonal registration (Saisonkennzeichen) means you only pay for the months you actually ride. Compare motorcycle-specific rates on our motorcycle insurance comparison.
Car Insurance Germany: Common Questions
Compare car insurance and save
Prices went up in 2025. If you have not compared recently, you might be paying more than you need to. Our comparison is free, in English, and takes about 2 minutes, showing you real offers from German insurers.