Fleet insurance in Germany: one policy for all company vehicles
German fleet insurance puts all company vehicles under one contract with uniform terms and a premium based on the claims record of the whole fleet rather than the no-claims class of each car. Most insurers offer it from three vehicles. For companies new to Germany it also solves a practical problem: a fleet policy does not depend on German no-claims history that a foreign business simply does not have.
From how many vehicles can I get fleet insurance in Germany?
Many German insurers offer fleet contracts from three vehicles, some from two if vans or trailers are included. The price advantage usually becomes noticeable from about five vehicles. With two or three cars that each have long German no-claims histories, individual policies can still be cheaper. For a company setting up in Germany without any local claims history, a fleet or small-fleet tariff is often the quickest way to get reasonable terms.
Loss ratio instead of no-claims classes
Private motor insurance in Germany is priced through Schadenfreiheitsklassen, no-claims classes that build up year by year per vehicle. Foreign no-claims records are recognised only by some insurers and only in part. Fleet insurance largely sidesteps that system. The insurer looks at claims paid against premium for the whole fleet, the loss ratio. A good ratio brings lower premiums or refunds, a poor one brings a renewal offer with higher premium or deductibles, or cancellation.
The catch comes when you leave the fleet. Vehicles transferred to individual policies do not automatically receive a good no-claims class. How that is handled should be agreed before signing.
Duties of the vehicle keeper in Germany
As keeper (Halter), the company must ensure that only people with a valid driving licence drive its vehicles. Letting someone drive without one is a criminal offence under § 21 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG). Fleet managers therefore check licences regularly and document it; for staff with non-EU licences, the question of whether and how long the foreign licence remains valid in Germany is a common trap.
Company vehicles must also be inspected by a competent person at least once a year under the accident prevention regulation DGUV Vorschrift 70, in addition to the statutory roadworthiness test (HU). Insurers increasingly ask about such measures, because they reduce claims and therefore the premium.
Mixed fleets, leasing and company cars
Cars, vans, trucks, trailers and special vehicles can share one fleet policy, often with different comprehensive cover per group. Leased vehicles almost always require fully comprehensive cover (Vollkasko), and after a total loss or theft there is a gap between market value and outstanding lease balance unless GAP cover is included.
German motor liability pays for damage to others, not for injuries to the driver who caused the accident. On business trips, statutory accident insurance covers employees; on private use of a company car it does not. Driver protection cover (Fahrerschutz) closes that gap and is worth including for company cars used privately.
What is covered
Motor liability for all declared vehicles
Partial and fully comprehensive cover per vehicle or group
Automatic cover for newly registered vehicles until declared
Driver protection for injured drivers, where agreed
GAP cover for leased and financed vehicles
Breakdown and towing assistance
Goods in own vehicles, as an add-on
Cover for trips across Europe
What is not covered
Driving without a valid licence
Intentional damage
Wear, mechanical breakdown and braking damage under comprehensive cover
Goods carried, unless covered by an add-on
Racing and track events
Driving under alcohol or drugs, with recourse against the driver within legal limits
Who needs it
Companies with three or more cars, vans or trucks registered in Germany
Foreign companies setting up a German subsidiary without local claims history
Trades and service businesses with service vehicles
Employers providing company cars for sales and management
Businesses with leased vehicles and frequent fleet changes
Who does not need it
Businesses with one or two vehicles in high German no-claims classes
Fleets with very high claims frequency that are rated better per vehicle
Wheel of misfortune
Spin the wheel of bad luck
Six things that really happen. The wheel picks yours and shows who pays.
Cost:
Budget policy Strong policy
See all six cases
Van reverses into a bollard, roughly €1,500 to €5,000. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Self-inflicted damage is only covered under Vollkasko. If that vehicle group runs on partial cover (Teilkasko), the company pays.
Marten chews through the wiring, around €300, more with engine damage. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Martens are a very German problem. Basic cover pays for the chewed cables, stronger policies also for the engine damage that follows.
Engine seized: nobody checked the oil, often €5,000 to €15,000. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Engine failure from poor maintenance is mechanical breakdown. No German comprehensive policy pays for it.
Leased car written off, gap remains, often four to five figures. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Comprehensive cover pays the market value. The gap to the outstanding lease balance needs GAP cover.
Tools stolen from the van overnight, often four to five figures. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Motor policies cover the vehicle and fixed parts, not loose tools or goods. That needs separate goods in transit or contents cover.
Hailstorm dents the whole car park, often four figures per car. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. Hail is covered under partial cover (Teilkasko) already. Across a fleet parked outdoors, one storm can become a very large claim.
What it costs
The fleet premium combines a base rate per vehicle type with the claims record of recent years, plus 19 percent insurance tax. German vehicle tax (Kfz-Steuer) is not part of the insurance premium; customs collects it separately by direct debit.
What drives the premium
Number and type of vehicles
Loss ratio over the past three to five years
Comprehensive cover and deductibles
Driver group and private use
Area of use, such as city delivery or long distance
Add-ons such as driver protection, GAP, assistance
Loss prevention measures
Fleet premiums depend on the individual fleet's claims record and there are no public benchmarks. We therefore give no ranges. The premium for your fleet is fixed in the quote.
The policy levels on the market
01
Small fleet
Roughly three to fifteen vehicles, flat rates per vehicle type, simplified acceptance, usually no no-claims classes.
02
Mid-size fleet
Individual rating by loss ratio, annual renewal date for all vehicles, claims reports, cover chosen per group.
03
Large fleet
Self-retention models, managed claims handling and repair networks, profit sharing, often across several countries.
How to recognise a good policy
Criterion
Minimum standard
Strong policy
Why it matters
Liability limit
statutory minimum sums
100 million euros combined, up to 15 million per injured person
Serious injury claims with lifelong pensions exceed the legal minimums quickly.
New vehicles
covered once declared
automatic cover until the next declaration date
New vehicles are often on the road before admin has declared them.
Gross negligence
insurer may reduce payment
waiver except for alcohol and drugs
Running a red light or distraction are frequent comprehensive claims.
GAP cover
not included
included for all leased vehicles
Otherwise a total loss leaves a gap to the lease balance.
Driver protection
not included
for all drivers with a high sum
Motor liability never compensates the at-fault driver.
Claims reporting
none
annual report by vehicle, driver and claim type
Without data nobody knows what drives the loss ratio.
Exit arrangement
no rating on exit
agreed no-claims rating for vehicles leaving the fleet
When the fleet shrinks, vehicles should not start from scratch.
Insurers on the German market
Fleet insurance is written by the large German motor insurers and by specialists for road haulage. Their appetite for fleets with high loss ratios differs widely.
Insurer
Background
Allianz
fleets of all sizes, agents and brokers
AXA
fleet business via brokers and agents
HDI
Talanx group, company fleets
R+V
insurer of the German cooperative banks
KRAVAG
R+V group, motor insurance for the road haulage industry
VHV
broker insurer with a large motor book
Zurich
mid-size and large fleets, including international programmes
Flat rates for small fleets, usually without individual no-claims classes.
Individual fleet contract
Premium by loss ratio, annual declaration, cover per vehicle group.
Truck and haulage fleet
For hauliers, often combined with carrier's liability and compulsory goods-in-transit cover.
Driver protection
Compensates the injured driver after an at-fault accident as a liability insurer would.
International fleet programme
Local German policy under a group programme, for multinational companies.
Myth or truth
True or false?
Five things people say about this insurance. Guess first, then see the answer.
In Germany, motor insurance follows the driver, as it often does in the UK.
This is false.
No. German motor insurance is attached to the vehicle. Who may drive it is set by the agreed group of drivers, which is why the fleet contract must describe it correctly.
A company car used privately at the weekend is still covered by the fleet policy.
This is true.
True. The policy insures the vehicle regardless of the purpose of the trip. The driver must belong to the agreed group of drivers, which can include family members.
A crash in a company car on the way to work counts as a work accident.
This is true.
True. The direct route to work is covered by German statutory accident insurance (§ 8 SGB VII). Detours for private reasons are not.
If an employee drives drunk, the victims get nothing from the insurance.
This is false.
False. Motor liability always pays the victims. The insurer can then claim part of it back from the driver, typically up to 5,000 euros.
A trailer can simply run on the towing vehicle's insurance.
This is false.
No. Trailers with their own registration plate need their own compulsory liability insurance in Germany. In a fleet contract they appear as separate items.
Common mistakes
Assuming a foreign no-claims record will be credited in full
Comparing fleet and individual quotes without knowing your own loss ratio
Not agreeing how vehicles are rated when they leave the fleet
Leased vehicles without GAP cover
Letting employees drive on foreign licences that are no longer valid in Germany
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
What is the difference between fleet and individual motor insurance in Germany?
A fleet runs all vehicles under one contract with one renewal date and uniform terms.
The premium follows the claims record of the whole fleet rather than the no-claims class of each
vehicle.
How much does fleet insurance cost in Germany?
It depends mainly on vehicle types, cover and the fleet's loss ratio,
plus 19 percent insurance tax.
Two fleets of the same size can pay very different premiums.
Only a quote with your claims history is meaningful.
Will my no-claims history from abroad count?
Some German insurers credit foreign no-claims records partly, many not at all.
In a fleet tariff this matters less,
because the fleet's loss ratio replaces individual no-claims classes.
Do I need an eVB number for every new company vehicle?
Yes.
Registration in Germany requires an electronic insurance confirmation (eVB) per vehicle.
Your fleet insurer issues it under the fleet contract.
What happens if our loss ratio is too high?
At renewal the insurer proposes higher premiums, higher deductibles or reduced cover, or cancels.
With a full claims report a broker can look for alternatives in the market.
Is the driver covered after causing an accident?
Not by motor liability.
On business trips statutory accident insurance applies, on private trips it does not.
Driver protection cover fills this gap.
Does fleet insurance cover the goods in our vans?
No, it covers vehicles and liability only.
Goods and tools need own-account transport cover or cargo insurance.
Can employees with foreign driving licences drive our fleet?
EU and EEA licences are generally valid in Germany.
Many non-EU licences are valid only for a limited period after taking up residence and then must
be converted.
As keeper you are responsible for checking this.
Is vehicle tax included in the insurance premium?
No.
In Germany vehicle tax is collected by the customs administration directly from the keeper.
The insurance invoice shows only premium and insurance tax.
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