Partial Coverage Car Insurance in Germany 2026What Teilkasko covers and when it is enough
What does Teilkasko cover in Germany, what does it cost in 2026, and when is it enough? A plain-English guide with GDV and ADAC data plus a free Tarifcheck comparison.
Key takeaways
- Teilkasko covers theft, fire, storm, hail, wildlife collisions, glass breakage, and marten bites. Self-caused accidents and vandalism are not included.
- A Teilkasko claim does not affect your Schadenfreiheitsklasse (no-claims class). That is a major difference from Vollkasko.
- 150 EUR is the standard deductible. Going without a deductible costs roughly 10 to 30 percent more in premium, according to the ADAC.
- The GDV assigns Teilkasko to 24 type classes (10 to 33). The switching deadline is usually November 30 for a January 1 change.
Key German terms
Your car is a few years old. The new-car price is long gone, but a total loss would still hurt. That is exactly what Teilkasko is for. It protects your car against theft, storm, wildlife collisions, glass breakage, and marten damage without the higher price tag of Vollkasko (full coverage).
In this guide we explain what Teilkasko actually covers, what it costs in 2026, when it is enough, and when you should move up to Vollkasko.
What does Teilkasko cover?
Teilkasko is a voluntary add-on to the legally required Kfz-Haftpflicht (third-party liability). It covers damage to your own car from external causes - things you did not cause yourself.
The standard scope, as described by the ADAC and the GDV model conditions (AKB), is: theft and partial theft, collisions with hoofed game (Haarwild, such as deer or wild boar), animal bite damage, natural events such as storm (from wind force 8), hail, lightning, flooding, fire, explosion, and electrical short circuit, plus glass breakage. Coverage for all animal types, marten consequential damage, earthquakes, and ferry transport events requires extended cover clauses and is not part of the standard scope. Some individual tariffs include these extras - always check the product sheet.
Included events at a glance
- Theft of the car and partial theft of built-in parts
- Fire, explosion, and electrical short circuit
- Storm (from wind force 8), hail, lightning, flooding
- Glass breakage on all windows (often with reduced deductible)
- Collisions with hoofed game (deer, wild boar) - "all animals" only with extended cover
- Marten bites (consequential damage only with a separate agreed clause)
- Ferry transport damage - only with certain individual tariffs
- Lock replacement after key theft (depending on the tariff)
One important detail: in Germany you can only buy Teilkasko together with the mandatory Haftpflicht. A standalone Teilkasko policy does not exist. When you compare, always look at the total premium for Haftpflicht plus Teilkasko.
How much does Teilkasko cost in 2026?
There is no flat answer. Your premium depends on the car model, type class, regional class, no-claims class, annual mileage, and chosen deductible. The German Insurance Association (GDV) publishes the key figures every year.
For 2026, cheap-segment new-contract prices across all car-insurance types are about seven percent higher year-on-year, according to the Verivox index. The biggest rise - about eight percent - hits Vollkasko (full coverage) specifically. Higher repair costs and rising claims figures are the main drivers. If you do not actively shop around or renegotiate, most insurers will simply pass the increase to you.
What drives your Teilkasko premium
- Type class: Your car model is assigned a class by the GDV every year. Teilkasko uses 24 classes (10 to 33). A higher class means a higher premium.
- Regional class: Your address matters. Big cities with high theft or weather damage are above the average.
- Deductible: 150 EUR or 300 EUR lowers the premium. The ADAC notes that going without a deductible costs roughly 10 to 30 percent more.
- Annual mileage: Low yearly mileage gets a discount.
- Driver group: Restricting drivers to you and your partner lowers the premium compared to open use.
For the current type-class data, the ADAC publishes the updated list each year. You can also check your model in our Kfz-Versicherungsklasse explainer.
Teilkasko, Vollkasko, Haftpflicht: what covers what?
The three tiers stack on top of each other. Haftpflicht is mandatory and covers damage you cause to others. Teilkasko and Vollkasko are voluntary and protect your own car.
| Damage type | Haftpflicht | Teilkasko | Vollkasko |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to the other driver's car | yes | no | no |
| Theft, fire, natural disasters | no | yes | yes |
| Wildlife collision, marten bite | no | yes | yes |
| Glass breakage | no | yes | yes |
| Self-caused accident damage to your own car | no | no | yes |
| Vandalism, parking damage by unknown driver | no | no | yes |
| Hit-and-run by the opposing driver | no | no | yes |
| Damage caused by intent or DUI | no | no | no |
For the next tier up, see our Vollkasko 2026 page.
Compare Teilkasko tariffs now
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When is Teilkasko enough - and when is it not?
Rule of thumb: as long as your car still has meaningful value and a total loss would really hurt your budget, Vollkasko pays off. If the market value is low, Teilkasko is usually enough. The consumer finance guide Finanztip uses residual value as the primary decision factor. For context: according to the ADAC, a new car loses roughly 20 to 25 percent of its value in the first year, and more for some brands and models. That is why residual value - not age alone - should drive your Teilkasko-versus-Vollkasko decision.
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| New car, financed or leased | Vollkasko, usually required by the bank |
| Used car under 5 years, market value above 8,000 EUR | Vollkasko usually makes sense |
| Car from about 5 years old, residual value roughly 4,000 to 8,000 EUR (orientation) | Teilkasko is often enough |
| Older car, residual value below about 4,000 EUR | Teilkasko or even Haftpflicht only |
A practical check: compare what the full-coverage surcharge actually costs per year against the residual value of your car. If the extra annual cost of Vollkasko over Teilkasko is a large share of what the car is worth, the upgrade rarely pays off financially. Then Teilkasko is the smarter choice. One nuance for experienced drivers: the no-claims discount applies to Vollkasko but not to Teilkasko, so with a high no-claims class the price gap between the two can shrink to very little - Finanztip notes Vollkasko can even end up cheaper. As a rough threshold, Finanztip considers full coverage worthwhile when the car is still worth around 5,000 EUR and Vollkasko costs only about 100 EUR more per year.
Deductible: how high should it be?
The deductible is the share of each claim you pay yourself. A higher deductible lowers the premium. For Teilkasko, 150 EUR is the standard. Here are the usual options. To put a number on it, in one Verivox example (VW Golf, September 2025) moving from 150 EUR to 300 EUR cut the annual Teilkasko premium by roughly 13 percent. How much you save depends on the car, region, and no-claims class.
150 EUR
Standard. Good balance between premium and out-of-pocket cost. Glass damage often comes with a lower deductible.
300 EUR
Savings option. Lowers the premium noticeably if you can cover the higher amount in case of a claim.
0 EUR
Premium increase per the ADAC is roughly 10 to 30 percent. Only worth it if you want every small claim covered.
Tip: Many tariffs offer a reduced or zero deductible for glass damage. If you drive a lot on autobahns where stone chips are common, target this feature when comparing.
When does Teilkasko not pay?
Teilkasko has clear limits. It does not pay if you caused the damage yourself or if a third party damaged your car deliberately. For those cases you need Vollkasko, or the other driver's Haftpflicht has to cover it.
Not covered by Teilkasko
- ✕Self-caused accident damage to your own car
- ✕Vandalism (paint scratches, broken mirrors)
- ✕Parking damage by unknown third parties
- ✕Hit-and-run by the opposing driver
- ✕Intent or gross negligence (e.g. driving under influence)
- ✕Wear and tear or mechanical defects
Switching from Vollkasko to Teilkasko
When your car is older and Vollkasko no longer pays off, you can downgrade to Teilkasko at the next renewal. The standard switching date is the policy year-end, with a cancellation deadline usually until November 30 for a January 1 change.
You can also switch mid-year if your insurer raises the premium. In that case you have a special cancellation right: after a premium increase you can cancel within one month of receiving the notice (Section 40 VVG). After a claim the same one-month deadline applies (Section 92 VVG).
Another good moment is when your car moves into a noticeably higher Vollkasko type class. Check the published type classes each year.
Teilkasko for newcomers in Germany
If you are new to Germany, insurance terminology can feel overwhelming fast. Three things make the biggest difference.
1. eVB number before registration
Without the elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung (eVB), you cannot register your car at the Zulassungsstelle. You get the eVB directly from the insurer, usually free of charge. You can request it before signing the final contract.
2. Claims-free years from your home country
If you come from an EU or EEA country, German insurers are legally required to recognise your no-claims certificate (Section 5c PflVG) - this is a genuine advantage for European newcomers. For non-EEA countries such as Turkey, the USA, or Switzerland, recognition is voluntary and varies by insurer. Note that Teilkasko itself has no no-claims class; these years mainly affect your Haftpflicht and Vollkasko premium. Ask your previous insurer for a claims-free certificate in English or German. Without proof, you typically start in SF class 0 or 1 with a much higher premium.
3. Address and regional class
Your registered address sets the regional class. Living in a big city usually means a higher Teilkasko premium than in a rural area. If you move, tell your insurer so the premium adjusts.
For a deeper expat-focused walk-through, see our Car Insurance Germany hub or instant car insurance options.
Frequently asked questions
What does Teilkasko (partial coverage) include?▼
Standard Teilkasko pays for damage from theft, fire, explosion, storm (from wind force 8), hail, lightning, flooding, glass breakage, collisions with hoofed game (deer, wild boar), marten bites, and electrical short circuits. Coverage for all animal types, marten consequential damage, earthquakes, and ferry transport requires extended cover clauses and is not standard. Self-caused accidents and vandalism are NOT covered - for those you need Vollkasko (full coverage).
How much does Teilkasko cost in Germany in 2026?▼
There is no single answer because your premium depends on the type class, regional class, deductible, and annual mileage. The GDV assigns Teilkasko to 24 type classes (10 to 33). For 2026, cheap-segment new-contract prices across all car-insurance types are about seven percent higher year-on-year (Verivox index); the biggest rise, about eight percent, hits Vollkasko (full coverage).
What is the difference between Teilkasko and Vollkasko?▼
Teilkasko covers damage from external causes such as theft, storm, or wildlife collisions. Vollkasko (full coverage) adds self-caused accidents to your own car and vandalism. Both sit on top of the legally required Haftpflicht (third-party liability).
Does a Teilkasko claim affect my no-claims class?▼
No. Unlike Vollkasko, your Schadenfreiheitsklasse (no-claims class) stays unchanged after a Teilkasko claim. This is one of the big advantages, particularly for glass or wildlife damage that you could not prevent.
How high should the deductible be?▼
150 EUR is the standard Teilkasko deductible. Choosing 300 EUR lowers the premium but you need that amount available in a claim. According to the ADAC, going without a deductible costs roughly 10 to 30 percent more in premium. Many tariffs offer a reduced or zero deductible for glass damage.
What car age makes Teilkasko worthwhile?▼
The key factor is residual value, not age alone. Vollkasko typically makes sense for new cars during roughly the first 3 to 5 years. From about 5 years onwards - or when the market value drops noticeably - Teilkasko is usually enough. Once the residual value falls below about 4,000 EUR, third-party liability alone often suffices. New cars, leases, and financed vehicles typically require Vollkasko per the bank's contract.
When can I switch from Vollkasko to Teilkasko?▼
Standard switch is at the end of your insurance year, with a cancellation deadline usually until November 30 for a January 1 switch. After a premium increase you can cancel within one month of receiving the notice (Section 40 VVG). After a claim the same one-month deadline applies (Section 92 VVG).
I am new to Germany - what do I need to know about Teilkasko?▼
You need an eVB number first before you can register the car at the Zulassungsstelle. If you come from an EU or EEA country, German insurers are legally required to recognise your no-claims certificate (Section 5c PflVG). For non-EEA countries (such as Turkey, the USA, or Switzerland), recognition is voluntary. Note that these years mainly affect your Haftpflicht and Vollkasko premium - Teilkasko itself has no no-claims class. Ask your previous insurer for a claims-free certificate in English or German.
Next steps
When you are ready, take a look at the current Teilkasko tariffs in the Tarifcheck network. The comparison is free and takes only a few minutes.
Want to dig deeper? Read the Car Insurance Germany overview or browse the instant car insurance guide.