Full Coverage Car Insurance Germany 2026When Vollkasko makes sense and when it does not
You moved to Germany and need to decide between full coverage (Vollkasko) and partial coverage (Teilkasko). Here is a plain-English guide with GDV cost data, a decision rule, and the Tarifcheck comparison tool.
Key takeaways
- Vollkasko covers everything Teilkasko covers, plus self-caused accidents, vandalism, and hit-and-run damage from a third party.
- Average Vollkasko premium per GDV: around 333 EUR/year for the Vollkasko component, roughly 590 EUR including Haftpflicht (2024/2025 data). For 2026, premiums for new full-coverage contracts are around eight percent higher on average; across all car-insurance lines the GDV expects an increase of around five percent.
- Rule of thumb: for cars under 8,000 EUR market value or older than around five years, Vollkasko usually does not pay off.
- Banks and leasing companies almost always require Vollkasko. GAP cover is an optional add-on that only some leasing companies additionally require.
Key German terms
What is Vollkasko (full coverage)?
Vollkasko is the most comprehensive tier of voluntary car insurance in Germany. It covers damage to your own car that you cause yourself, for instance while parking or in an at-fault collision. It also covers vandalism and pays out when the other driver flees the scene of an accident.
One thing to keep straight: the legally required Kfz-Haftpflicht (third-party liability) is a different policy. It pays for damage you cause to others but does nothing for your own car. Vollkasko and Teilkasko are voluntary add-ons that sit on top of the Haftpflicht.
Teilkasko is the smaller version. It covers damage from external causes only: theft, fire, storm, hail, wildlife collisions, marten bites, and glass breakage. Self-caused accidents are not included.
Coverage comparison
| Type of damage | Teilkasko | Vollkasko |
|---|---|---|
| Theft, fire, weather damage | yes | yes |
| Wildlife collision, marten bite | yes | yes |
| Glass breakage | yes | yes |
| Self-caused damage to your own car | no | yes |
| Vandalism | no | yes |
| Hit-and-run by another driver | no | yes |
| Intentionally caused damage | no | no |
| Wear and tear | no | no |
Gross negligence: If you cause damage through gross negligence, e.g. drink-driving, the full-coverage insurer may reduce the payout in proportion to your fault (§ 81 VVG) — down to zero in cases of absolute unfitness to drive. Some tariffs waive this reduction. Intentionally caused damage is always excluded.
What does Vollkasko cost in 2026?
There is no single price tag because your premium depends on the car model, type class, regional class, no-claims class, and deductible. The industry average gives you a baseline though.
According to the German Insurance Association (GDV), the average Vollkasko component is around 333 EUR per year. Together with Haftpflicht, a typical Vollkasko customer pays roughly 590 EUR per year. These numbers reflect the 2024/2025 data set. For 2026, premiums for new full-coverage contracts are around eight percent higher on average; across all car-insurance lines the GDV expects an increase of around five percent.
Main cost drivers in practice:
- Type class: Your car model is assigned a class each year by GDV. Models with frequent or expensive damage cost more.
- Regional class: Your address matters. Big cities with more accidents usually sit above the average.
- No-claims class (SF-Klasse): The longer you drive without claims, the lower your premium. New drivers usually start at SF 0.
- Deductible: A 300 or 500 EUR self-share trims the premium.
- Annual mileage: Low-mileage drivers get a discount.
ADAC publishes the 2026 type classes if you want to look up your model. We also break this down in our car insurance comparison guide.
Compare Vollkasko tariffs
Enter your vehicle data and review the offers from the Tarifcheck network.
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When does Vollkasko pay off?
The general rule, also described in similar terms by Finanztip: as long as your car still has meaningful value and a total loss would actually hurt your finances, Vollkasko makes sense. Once the car is old and the market value is low, Teilkasko is usually enough.
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| New or near-new car, financed or leased | Vollkasko, usually required by the bank |
| Used car under 5 years, value above 8,000 EUR | Vollkasko makes sense, especially for new drivers |
| Used car, 5 to 10 years old, value 3,000 to 8,000 EUR | Borderline, Teilkasko is usually enough |
| Older than 10 years, value below 3,000 EUR | Teilkasko or even Haftpflicht only |
A second sanity check: if your annual Vollkasko premium is more than around ten percent of the current car value, Vollkasko usually no longer pays off.
Financing and leasing: GAP coverage
If your car is financed or leased, you do not formally own it. The bank or leasing company nearly always requires Vollkasko because they want their residual risk covered.
GAP cover is an optional add-on that only some leasing companies additionally require. It closes the gap between the replacement value paid by Vollkasko and the remaining loan balance if the car is totalled or stolen. You need to add it manually or confirm it is included in the tariff. If you are unsure, ask your bank or read the leasing contract.
Deductible — how much should you choose?
With Vollkasko you choose how much you pay out of pocket per claim. Three levels are common.
300 EUR
The most common choice. Slight discount on the premium, low pain in the average minor accident.
500 EUR
A 500 EUR deductible instead of 300 EUR saves around five percent more on your premium, according to Finanztip. You need the cash on hand if something happens.
1,000 EUR
Only pays off if you would skip small claims anyway and just absorb minor repairs.
Heads up: A Vollkasko claim downgrades your SF class. For small repairs it can be cheaper to pay out of pocket so the next yearly premium does not jump. Ask your insurer about the exact step-back before filing.
Vollkasko for newcomers and expats
If this is your first car in Germany, a few practical points many newcomers miss.
Get the eVB number first
You cannot register the car until an insurer issues an eVB number (Elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung). The seven-digit code is free and not binding. You do not have to take the policy if you only need the number.
Bring your no-claims history from abroad
If you come from an EU/EEA country, every German insurer is legally required to recognise your no-claims years (§ 5c PflVG) once you submit a claims-history confirmation (Schadenverlaufsbescheinigung) from your previous insurer. For countries outside the EEA — e.g. Turkey, Switzerland, or the USA — recognition is voluntary and depends on the insurer. The more years are recognised, the lower your premium — roughly halving it only in the best case (several recognised years).
Address and regional class
Your regional class is set by your registered address (Anmeldung). If you just arrived, it is worth checking the types of car insurance in Germany overview and our expat car insurance guide for 2026.
Language
Contracts and claims are handled in German. Look for providers with English-speaking support, or bring along someone who can translate the fine print. The Turkish version of this guide lives at tam-kasko-sigortasi.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Vollkasko (full coverage) and Teilkasko (partial)?
Teilkasko pays for damage from external causes such as theft, fire, storm, hail, glass breakage, wildlife collisions, and marten bites. Vollkasko adds protection for self-caused accidents to your own car and vandalism. Both sit on top of the legally required Haftpflicht (third-party liability).
How much does Vollkasko cost in Germany in 2026?
The German Insurance Association (GDV) puts the average Vollkasko component at around 333 EUR per year, totalling roughly 590 EUR per year together with Haftpflicht (2024/2025 data). For 2026, premiums for new full-coverage contracts are around eight percent higher on average; across all car-insurance lines the GDV expects an increase of around five percent. Your actual price depends on the type class, region, and no-claims class.
When is Teilkasko enough?
A rule of thumb: if your car is older than around five years and worth less than roughly 8,000 EUR, Vollkasko usually does not pay off. For cars under 3,000 EUR market value, Teilkasko is generally the right choice.
Do I need Vollkasko for a financed or leased car?
In almost all cases, yes. Banks and leasing companies usually require Vollkasko. GAP cover is an optional add-on that only some leasing companies additionally require — it closes the gap between the replacement value paid by Vollkasko and the remaining loan balance. Check your finance or lease contract for the exact wording.
How high should the deductible be?
The most common choice is 300 EUR for Vollkasko and 150 EUR for Teilkasko. A 500 EUR deductible instead of 300 EUR saves around five percent more on your premium, according to Finanztip — but requires the cash on hand. 1,000 EUR only pays off if you would skip small claims anyway.
Does a Vollkasko claim affect my no-claims class?
Yes. Unlike Teilkasko, Vollkasko claims lead to a downgrade in your SF class. For small repairs it can be cheaper to pay out of pocket so your next yearly premium does not jump. Ask your insurer for the exact step-back before you file.
When can I switch insurers?
The standard window is until November 30 each year, with switching effective January 1. Premium hikes or claim cases give you a special right of cancellation (Sonderkündigungsrecht) within one month of notification (§ 40 and § 92 VVG).
I just moved to Germany — what do I need to know?
You need an eVB number from an insurer before the registration office (Zulassungsstelle) will accept your car. If you come from an EU/EEA country, every German insurer is legally required to recognise your no-claims years (§ 5c PflVG) once you provide a claims-history confirmation (Schadenverlaufsbescheinigung) from your previous insurer. For countries outside the EEA — e.g. Turkey, Switzerland, or the USA — recognition is voluntary and depends on the insurer. The more years recognised, the lower your premium.
Next steps
You have the basics. Run the comparison above with your vehicle data and review the Vollkasko tariffs from the Tarifcheck network.
Related: Car insurance comparison · Choose car insurance step by step · Types of car insurance in Germany