Types of Car Insurance in Germany 2026
Germany has three types of car insurance: Haftpflicht (liability), Teilkasko (partial comprehensive) and Vollkasko (full comprehensive). Only liability is required by law. The other two are optional and protect your own car.
Key Takeaways
- Haftpflicht (liability) is the only mandatory cover. It pays for damage you cause to others, not your own car.
- Teilkasko adds fire, theft, storm, hail and animal collisions on top of liability.
- Vollkasko covers everything Teilkasko does plus self-caused accidents and vandalism.
- Rule of thumb: new car needs Vollkasko, mid-age car suits Teilkasko, old low-value car often needs only Haftpflicht.
- Illustrative cost (no rate guarantee): liability ~200 to 400 EUR/yr, full cover ~400 to 1,000 EUR/yr.
Liability cover is required before you drive
You cannot register a car in Germany without at least Haftpflicht. Driving an uninsured vehicle on public roads is a criminal offence under § 6 PflVG and can lead to a fine or up to one year in prison. Teilkasko and Vollkasko are voluntary add-ons.
meinetarife24 Editorial Team
Independent EditorialOur independent editorial team carefully reviews all information and regularly updates the content.
The Three Coverage Levels Explained
Each level includes the one below it. Pick the level, not just the cheapest price.
Haftpflicht
Liability insurance
- Pays for damage you cause to others
- Covers third-party injuries
- Legally mandatory to register a car
- Does not cover your own car
Best for: older cars with low value
Teilkasko
Partial comprehensive
- Everything in Haftpflicht, plus:
- Theft and fire damage
- Storm, hail and flooding
- Animal collision (Wildunfall)
Best for: cars about 3 to 7 years old
Vollkasko
Full comprehensive
- Everything in Teilkasko, plus:
- Accidents you cause yourself
- Vandalism damage
- Hit-and-run incidents
Best for: new or financed cars
Coverage Comparison at a Glance
| What is covered | Haftpflicht | Teilkasko | Vollkasko |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage you cause to others | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fire and theft of your car | No | Yes | Yes |
| Storm, hail and flooding | No | Yes | Yes |
| Animal collision (Wildunfall) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Self-caused accident damage | No | No | Yes |
| Vandalism | No | No | Yes |
Coverage details follow the standard German market definition. Exact terms vary by insurer and tariff, so always check the policy document before you sign.
Find Your Ideal Coverage Level
Compare Haftpflicht, Teilkasko and Vollkasko prices from German insurers. Free and no obligation.
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Which Type Should You Choose?
Haftpflicht only if
- Your car is older than about 10 years
- The market value is under roughly 2,000 EUR
- You want the minimum legal cover
- Budget is your main concern
Teilkasko if
- Your car is roughly 3 to 7 years old
- You often park outdoors
- You drive in rural areas (animal-collision risk)
- You want a balance of protection and price
Vollkasko if
- Your car is new or under 3 years old
- The car is financed or leased
- You are a newer driver with higher accident risk
- You want the most complete protection
Tip for newcomers
- Consider Vollkasko while you learn German roads
- Transfer your no-claims bonus from abroad if the insurer allows it
- Downgrade to Teilkasko after a few claim-free years
- A higher deductible (Selbstbeteiligung) lowers the premium
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of car insurance are there in Germany?
There are three coverage levels: Haftpflicht (third-party liability, legally required), Teilkasko (partial comprehensive) and Vollkasko (full comprehensive). Each level builds on the one before it, so Vollkasko includes everything Teilkasko and Haftpflicht cover.
Which type of car insurance is mandatory in Germany?
Only Haftpflicht (third-party liability) is mandatory. You cannot register or legally drive a car without it. Driving an uninsured vehicle on public roads is a criminal offence under § 6 PflVG, punishable by a fine or up to one year in prison.
What is the difference between Teilkasko and Vollkasko?
Teilkasko covers your own car against fire, theft, storm, hail, flooding and animal collisions. Vollkasko adds everything Teilkasko covers plus damage you cause to your own car in an accident and vandalism. Vollkasko is the most complete level and usually the most expensive.
Which type of car insurance should I choose?
A common rule of thumb: new or financed cars suit Vollkasko, cars roughly three to seven years old suit Teilkasko, and older low-value cars often only need Haftpflicht. Your no-claims class, postcode and budget also matter, so compare all three levels for your exact car.
How much does each car insurance type cost in Germany?
Illustrative ranges only, never a guaranteed quote: liability alone is roughly 200 to 400 EUR per year, partial coverage adds about 100 to 300 EUR, and full coverage can reach 400 to 1,000 EUR or more. The insurer always calculates your premium individually. Use the free comparison for a personalised price.
Is Vollkasko worth it for an older car?
Usually not. As a car loses value, the Vollkasko premium can outweigh any likely payout, because the insurer only reimburses the current market value. Many drivers downgrade from Vollkasko to Teilkasko once the car is around five to seven years old.
Can I switch between car insurance types?
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your coverage level. The standard window is the contract renewal, with a cancellation deadline of 30 November for a change on 1 January. You also get a special cancellation right after a premium increase, after a claim, or when you buy or sell a vehicle.
Does Haftpflicht cover damage to my own car?
No. Haftpflicht only pays for damage and injuries you cause to other people. To protect your own car against theft, weather or accident damage you need Teilkasko or Vollkasko on top of the mandatory liability cover.
Sources & Methodology
We explain the German car-insurance coverage types in plain English and cross-check every figure against independent, official sources. Prices are illustrative ranges, never guaranteed quotes, because the insurer always calculates the premium individually.
- § 6 PflVG (Pflichtversicherungsgesetz): the duty to insure and the penalty for using an uninsured vehicle.
- Stiftung Warentest and Finanztip: independent cost benchmarks and switching guidance.
- GDV and ADAC: the standard definition of Haftpflicht, Teilkasko and Vollkasko and the no-claims (Schadenfreiheitsklasse) system.
- Live tariff data from our partners CHECK24 and Tarifcheck. We do not influence prices or rankings.
Data Source & Transparency
The tariff data on this page is provided by CHECK24 and Tarifcheck. We do not alter prices, rankings, or how results are displayed.
Our role:
We provide editorial explanations and decision-making guidance. The actual tariff calculation and mediation is done by our partners.
What we do not cover:
Not all providers in the market are included in this comparison. Regional providers or specialized tariffs may be missing.
Go Deeper on Each Type
Liability (Haftpflicht)
The mandatory cover explained in detail.
Teilkasko Guide
What partial comprehensive covers and costs.
Vollkasko Guide
When full comprehensive is worth it.
Kasko Overview
Teilkasko vs Vollkasko side by side.
Cost Guide
What drives your premium and how to save.
Compare Tariffs
Side-by-side comparison of German insurers.
Ready to Choose Your Coverage?
Compare Haftpflicht, Teilkasko and Vollkasko prices from German insurers and pick the right level for your car.
Compare All Coverage Types