E-Scooter Theft & Damage Coverage in Germany
Is Teilkasko Worth It in 2026?
Got an e-scooter worth more than a few hundred euros? Then you're probably wondering whether basic liability insurance is enough, or if you should pay extra for theft and damage protection (German: Teilkasko).
Short answer: if your scooter cost over 1,000 EUR and you park it outside regularly, Teilkasko is probably worth it. For cheaper models or garage-kept scooters, you can skip it. Here's what you need to know.
Quick Take
Teilkasko adds theft, fire, and weather protection to your mandatory liability insurance. It costs roughly 25-35 EUR extra per year. For e-scooters over 1,000 EUR that sit outside, that's a reasonable deal. For budget scooters kept in a garage, skip it.
Need the basics first? Check our complete e-scooter insurance guide for Germany.
What Does E-Scooter Teilkasko Actually Cover?
Teilkasko is the German term for partial coverage. It sits between basic liability (mandatory) and full coverage (German: Vollkasko, which barely exists for e-scooters).
| What's Covered | Liability Only | + Teilkasko |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party damage you cause | ||
| Theft of your e-scooter | ||
| Fire and explosion | ||
| Storm, hail, lightning | ||
| Flooding | ||
| Glass damage (display) | ||
| Collision with animals | ||
| Damage you cause to your own scooter |
That last row matters. If you crash into a pole or drop your scooter, neither liability nor Teilkasko covers it. Only Vollkasko would, and very few insurers offer that for e-scooters.
What Drives the Price of Teilkasko?
There is no single market price. Premiums are set for the whole insurance year that starts on 1 March, and four things move the number.
Your age
Nearly every insurer tiers by age. Younger riders pay more, and each company sets its own cut-off.
Your deductible
A higher deductible lowers the premium and raises what you pay out of pocket after a claim.
When you join
Start mid-year and most insurers pro-rate the remaining months, so a September quote reads differently from a January one.
What is actually covered
Two tariffs at the same price can cover different things. The policy conditions decide what counts as theft or storm damage.
One concrete figure: HUK-COBURG quotes liability from 16 euros a year for the 2026/2027 insurance year, for policyholders and riders aged 23 and over. Source: huk.de, checked 10 September 2026.
That is one example, not a market average, and Teilkasko always comes on top of it. Get the current figure from the insurer, because premiums are reset every 1 March.
When Is E-Scooter Teilkasko Worth It?
This is a personal calculation, but the math is fairly simple. If the scooter is worth less than what you'd pay in Teilkasko premiums over three years, the numbers don't work out.
Consider Teilkasko if:
- ✓Your e-scooter cost more than 1,000 EUR new
- ✓You park outside regularly, at work or in public
- ✓You live in a city with higher theft rates (Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne)
- ✓You own a brand that thieves target, like NIU, Segway, or VMAX
Liability alone is fine if:
- -Your e-scooter cost under 500 EUR
- -You store it in a garage or locked basement
- -You only ride occasionally
- -The scooter is already two or three years old
What Teilkasko Does NOT Cover
Knowing what's excluded is just as important as knowing what's included. This trips people up.
- You crash and damage your own scooter (self-inflicted damage needs Vollkasko)
- Your scooter was not secured with an approved lock at the time of theft
- You left the key in the scooter or the ignition was unlocked
- The damage happened during illegal use (riding on a highway, for example)
- Wear and tear, battery degradation, or cosmetic scratches
Some providers also exclude damage caused by gross negligence. Read the policy terms carefully.
Lock Requirements: Check This Before Filing a Claim
Most Teilkasko policies require that your e-scooter was locked with an approved lock when it was stolen. If you can't prove this, the insurer can reduce your payout or reject the claim entirely.
What counts as an approved lock varies by provider. Generally, a solid U-lock or folding lock from a recognized brand is accepted. Cable locks usually are not. Some providers require the lock to meet a specific security rating.
Before you buy Teilkasko, check what lock your chosen provider requires. Then buy that lock. Keep the receipt.
How to Get E-Scooter Insurance in Germany
For English speakers in Germany, the process is straightforward.
Check your scooter is eligible
It needs a valid ABE (Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis, the German road approval). Maximum speed: 20 km/h. Maximum motor power: 500W. Minimum rider age: 14.
Choose a provider
You can buy online from any of the providers listed above. Most have German-language websites, but the forms are simple enough to fill out with a translation tool.
Select your coverage level
Pick liability only, or liability plus Teilkasko. If your scooter is valuable, Teilkasko is worth the extra 25-35 EUR per year.
Pay and receive your sticker
For 2026/2027, the insurance sticker (German: Versicherungskennzeichen) is black. Stick it on the back of your scooter. The insurance year runs March 1 to February 28.
Attach the sticker before riding
Riding without a valid sticker is a criminal offense in Germany, not just a fine. More on that below.
If you don't have a German bank account yet, most providers accept SEPA direct debit from any EU bank account. A few also accept credit cards.
What Happens If You Ride Without Insurance?
In Germany, riding an e-scooter without valid liability insurance is a criminal offence. The ban itself sits in § 6 of the Pflichtversicherungsgesetz; the penalty is in § 30 PflVG. Up to one year in prison or a fine if intentional, up to six months or a fine of up to 180 daily rates if negligent. This is not a traffic ticket.
- Fines (the amount is set by the court)
- Points on your Flensburg driving record
- Seizure of the e-scooter
- In severe or repeat cases, a criminal record
If you cause an accident while uninsured, you're personally liable for all damages. That can easily reach tens of thousands of euros for injuries. Liability insurance is not optional. Compare insurance options here.
What About Rental Scooters?
If you use rental e-scooters from services like Tier, Lime, or Bolt, you don't need your own insurance. The rental operator carries liability insurance for all their vehicles. That coverage applies while you're riding.
However, the operator's insurance typically only covers third-party damage you cause. If you injure yourself on a rental scooter, your own health insurance (German: Krankenversicherung) handles that.
If you own a private e-scooter AND use rentals, you only need insurance for the one you own. Looking for other ways to save on insurance? Compare car insurance rates or check our loan comparison tool for the best deals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is e-scooter insurance mandatory in Germany?
Yes. Every e-scooter used on public roads in Germany needs at least liability insurance (German: Haftpflichtversicherung). You get a small sticker as proof. For 2026/2027, the sticker color is black.
What does Teilkasko cover that liability doesn't?
Teilkasko adds protection for theft, fire, storm, hail, flooding, glass damage, and animal collisions. Liability only covers damage you cause to other people or their property.
How much does e-scooter Teilkasko cost per year?
There is no single market price. Premiums are set for the insurance year starting 1 March and depend on the insurer, your age, the deductible and what the tariff covers. Teilkasko always comes as a surcharge on top of the compulsory liability cover. As one data point, HUK-COBURG quotes liability from 16 euros a year for riders aged 23 and over in 2026/2027 (checked 10 September 2026).
Do I need Teilkasko or is liability enough?
It depends on your scooter's value and where you keep it. For scooters over 1,000 EUR that are parked outside regularly, Teilkasko is worth considering. For cheaper or garage-kept scooters, liability alone is usually sufficient.
What happens if my e-scooter is stolen?
With Teilkasko, your insurer pays the current market value minus the deductible (typically 50-150 EUR). Without Teilkasko, you bear the full loss. File a police report in either case.
Is there full coverage (Vollkasko) for e-scooters?
Only a handful of providers offer Vollkasko. It covers self-inflicted damage on top of everything Teilkasko includes. Given the relatively low value of most e-scooters, Vollkasko is rarely worth the extra cost.
What lock do I need for theft claims?
Most insurers require a solid U-lock or folding lock from a recognized brand. Cable locks are usually not accepted. Check your specific policy for the required security level before buying a lock.
Can I get e-scooter insurance without a German bank account?
Most providers accept SEPA direct debit, which works with any EU bank account. A few also accept credit cards. You do not need a German bank account specifically.
Are rental scooters (Tier, Lime, Bolt) already insured?
Yes. Rental operators carry their own liability insurance. You don't need separate coverage for rental e-scooters. You only need insurance for e-scooters you own.
What is the deductible for e-scooter Teilkasko?
The tariff sets it, and the range differs by insurer. Allianz, for example, states a 150 euro deductible for its e-scooter cover (checked 10 September 2026). A higher deductible lowers the premium and costs you more after a claim, so check the figure in the policy conditions before you sign.
When does the e-scooter insurance year start and end?
The insurance year runs from March 1 to the last day of February. You get a new sticker each year. The sticker color changes annually so police can quickly spot expired coverage.
Prices verified from official provider websites in April 2026. Coverage details and availability may change. This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or financial advice. checkalle.de earns commissions when you use our comparison tools, at no extra cost to you. Also check our liability insurance comparison and Teilkasko vs Vollkasko guide.
Related Topics
Legal basis
§ 52 FZV (insurance year), § 53 FZV (plate colour and mounting), § 30 PflVG (penalties), § 1 eKFV (definition).
Last updated: . CheckAlle.de editorial team. This guide is not legal or tax advice.