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Motor trade insurance in Germany: trade plates, test drives and customer cars

If you run a car dealership or a garage in Germany, you drive vehicles every day that are not registered or do not belong to you. Ordinary business liability barely helps here, because it excludes damage to customer cars in your care and anything to do with driving. Motor trade insurance (Kfz-Handel- und Handwerksversicherung) fills that gap with motor liability and own damage cover for red plates, test drives and vehicles in your custody.

The question almost everyone asks first

Does a dealer or garage in Germany need its own motor insurance?

For red trade plates, yes. The registration office will not issue a 06 plate without motor third party liability, and the application asks for an eVB number, the electronic insurance confirmation. Own damage cover (Kasko) for customer cars and your stock is optional, but almost every business needs it, because business liability usually does not pay for damage to vehicles you repair, move or test drive. Many policies are based on special conditions for the motor trade, with the standard motor terms (AKB) applying alongside.

Red trade plates: what they allow and what they do not

The red 06 plate lets you drive unregistered vehicles on public roads for three purposes set out in § 41 of the German Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV): inspection by an approved examiner, test drives and transfers. The registration office only issues it to reliable vehicle manufacturers, parts manufacturers, garages and dealers, and checks your trade registration and a certificate of good conduct among other documents. Each plate comes with a special logbook in which every vehicle driven on it gets its own page.

The rules are tight. The plate is for your own business only, you must keep a record of the drives, and misuse is an administrative offence. Handing a car to a prospective buyer for several days is not allowed: the Administrative Court of Bayreuth ruled exactly that in 2021 (B 1 K 20.1441). Stretching the rules risks a fine and an argument with your insurer.

Why business liability is not enough for customer cars

Business liability (Betriebshaftpflicht) pays for injury and property damage to third parties. For a motor business it has two built in limits: damage caused by using a motor vehicle belongs to motor liability, and damage to vehicles you are working on or keeping is normally excluded. If a customer's car slides off the lift or is dented while being moved around the yard, a garage without extra cover often pays for it itself.

Motor trade insurance is designed for exactly this. It combines motor liability for red plate drives and customer vehicles with own damage cover for cars left with you for repair, valeting or sale, and for your own stock. How far custody cover reaches, for example to cars that are merely parked overnight, differs from one policy to the next.

Test drives with prospective buyers

When a customer test drives a car from your stock, the motor liability of the red plate or of the registered demonstrator pays for damage to others. Damage to the car itself stays with you unless you have own damage cover or can recover it from the driver. A written test drive agreement, a copy of the ID, a licence check and a clear rule on the excess are essential.

Then there is the buyer who never comes back. Whether the policy treats this as theft or as uninsured misappropriation depends on the wording, and insurers differ widely. It is worth reading that clause before you sign.

Stock on the forecourt and short term plates

A forecourt full of cars is exposed to hail, storm and vandalism hitting many vehicles at once. Own damage cover for stock usually has a limit per vehicle and per site, and the premium is often based on average stock value or the number of plates.

For occasional drives without a red plate there is the short term plate under § 42 FZV, which also needs its own insurance confirmation. If you move cars regularly, a red plate on an annual policy is usually simpler, because liability and own damage cover then follow the same rules for every drive.

What is covered

  • Motor liability for drives on red 06 plates
  • Liability on test and transfer drives with customer vehicles, depending on the policy
  • Own damage cover for customer cars in your custody for repair, valeting or sale
  • Own damage cover for your vehicle stock on site
  • Damage while moving vehicles around the yard
  • Hail, storm, fire and theft affecting parked stock, under partial cover
  • Accidents on test drives with prospective buyers, under comprehensive cover
  • Transfers to customers and to the roadworthiness test

What is not covered

  • Faulty repairs and putting them right, which is warranty
  • Private use of the red plate or lending it to others
  • Wear and tear and pure operating damage to the vehicle, depending on the policy
  • Misappropriation by a prospective buyer, unless specifically included
  • Vehicles that are only parked and not being worked on, in basic policies
  • Deliberately caused damage

Who needs it

  • New and used car dealers
  • Independent and franchised garages
  • Body shops, paint shops and tyre businesses with customer cars on site
  • Valeting and smart repair businesses
  • Manufacturers and converters moving vehicles before registration

Who does not need it

  • Parts traders without red plates who never drive or keep other people's vehicles

Wheel of misfortune

Spin the wheel of bad luck

Six things that really happen. The wheel picks yours and shows who pays.

See all six cases
  1. Customer car slides off the lift, four to five figures, depending on the car. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Damage to a car being worked on is custody damage. Business liability and liability only red plate cover do not pay; comprehensive cover for customer cars does.
  2. Test driver rear ends another car, damage to the other car and to yours. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. The other driver is paid from the red plate's motor liability. Damage to your stock car is only paid by comprehensive cover.
  3. Hailstorm over the forecourt, often five or six figures for the whole site. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Hail falls under partial cover. Without own damage cover for stock, the dealer pays for every dent; with it, up to the agreed site limit.
  4. Test driver never comes back, value of the car. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays in part. Whether this counts as theft or misappropriation is down to the wording. Strong policies include it, often only if ID and licence were checked.
  5. Mechanic scrapes car on the door, around EUR 1,000 to 5,000. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Moving a car around your site is custody damage. Basic policies only cover time on the lift, strong ones the whole yard.
  6. Brakes fitted wrong, job redone, labour and parts for the redo. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Redoing your own work is warranty. No policy pays for it; at most, consequential damage to other property or people is covered.

What it costs

The premium follows the business, not a single car. A small used car dealer with one red plate and a dealership with a large stock and its own workshop are worlds apart. Meaningful figures need the number of plates, stock value and workshop turnover.

What drives the premium

  • Number of red plates and type of vehicles, for example cars, vans or motorcycles
  • Average value of your stock and the maximum value per vehicle
  • Scope of own damage cover for customer cars and stock
  • Workshop turnover or number of staff
  • Site security such as fencing, lighting and CCTV
  • Excess and claims history

We do not publish sample premiums, because the range between a small trader and a large dealership makes any single figure misleading. Your premium is fixed only in the quote we obtain for you.

The policy levels on the market

01

Liability for red plates only

Motor liability for red plate drives. Meets the condition for getting the plates, but leaves every bit of damage to the car being driven uncovered.

02

Liability plus partial cover

Adds fire, theft, hail, storm and glass for stock and customer cars in custody. Suits dealers whose biggest risk stands on the forecourt.

03

Liability plus comprehensive cover

Adds accident damage on test and transfer drives, while moving cars and in the workshop. The usual scope for dealerships and garages with customer traffic.

How to recognise a good policy

CriterionMinimum standardStrong policyWhy it matters
Customer cars in custody only while being repaired also parked before and after the job, including open air sites Many losses happen in the yard overnight, not on the lift.
Misappropriation on test drives excluded included where ID and licence were checked The buyer who does not return is the most expensive single loss in car trading.
Maximum value per vehicle fixed amount sized for average cars matched to the most expensive vehicles in stock and in the workshop A luxury car in your custody can otherwise exceed the limit.
Liability limit statutory minimum amounts well above the minimums, with a high limit per injured person A serious injury on a test drive can exceed the legal minimums.
Gross negligence insurer may reduce payment waiver of the reduction in own damage cover A key left in a car on the forecourt happens quickly.
Operating damage excluded loading, unloading and manoeuvring damage included Bumps while moving cars around the workshop are among the most common losses.
Permitted drivers staff only staff and prospective buyers on test drives Otherwise there is a gap on the test drive that only shows when something goes wrong.

Insurers on the German market

Motor trade insurance in Germany is mainly written by motor insurers with a commercial book, often based on special conditions the German insurance association GDV publishes as a model. The list describes the German market; it says nothing about which insurers we work with.

InsurerBackground
Allianzmotor trade policy combining liability and own damage for several vehicles
Württembergischepart of the W&W group, dedicated offer for motor trade and garages
Alte Leipzigerpublishes its own special conditions for the motor trade
Dialogspecialist insurer in the Generali group with a motor trade concept, broker distribution
NÜRNBERGERmotor insurer with commercial business, sold through agents and brokers

Compare the wordings of all tariffs Motor trade 5 tariffs from 4 providers, as of 24 October 2026

From the BaFin register

106

106 insurers supervised by BaFin, the German regulator, are licensed for this class of insurance.

(Kraftfahrzeug-Haftpflicht, Kraftfahrzeug-Kasko)

Show all 106 names from the register
  • ACM Versicherung AG
  • ADAC Autoversicherung AG
  • ADLER Versicherung AG
  • Allianz Direct Versicherungs-AG
  • Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE
  • Allianz Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Alte Leipziger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Ambra Versicherung AG
  • andsafe Aktiengesellschaft
  • ARAG Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • AXA easy Versicherung AG
  • AXA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • BA die Bayerische Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Badischer Gemeinde-Versicherungs-Verband
  • Baloise Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft Deutschland
  • Barmenia Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • BavariaDirekt Versicherung AG
  • Bayerischer Versicherungsverband Versicherungsaktiengesellschaft
  • BGV-Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • CG Car-Garantie Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Concordia Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Continentale Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Cosmos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • DA Deutsche Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • DARAG Deutschland AG
  • Debeka Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft Sitz Koblenz am Rhein
  • DEVK Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • DEVK Deutsche Eisenbahn Versicherung Sach- und HUK-Versicherungsverein a.G. Betriebliche…
  • Dialog Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • ERGO Direkt Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • ERGO Reiseversicherung AG
  • ERGO Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • EUROPA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Fahrlehrerversicherung Verein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Feuersozietät Berlin Brandenburg Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • GARANTA Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Generali Deutschland Versicherung AG
  • Gothaer Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Gothaer Versicherungsbank VVaG
  • Great Lakes Insurance SE
  • GVO Gegenseitigkeit Versicherung Oldenburg VVaG
  • GVV Direktversicherung AG
  • GVV-Kommunalversicherung, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Haftpflichtgemeinschaft Deutscher Nahverkehrs- und Versorgungsunternehmen Allgemein (HDNA) VVaG
  • Hamburger Feuerkasse Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • HanseMerkur Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG
  • HDI Global SE
  • HDI Global Specialty SE
  • HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • HDI Versicherung AG
  • Helvetia Schweizerische Versicherungsgesellschaft AG Direktion für Deutschland
  • Helvetia Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands a.G. in Coburg
  • HUK-COBURG-Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • HUK24 AG
  • Hübener Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Itzehoer Versicherung/Brandgilde von 1691 Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Janitos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • KRAVAG-ALLGEMEINE Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • KRAVAG-LOGISTIC Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Landschaftliche Brandkasse Hannover
  • Lifestyle Protection AG
  • Lippische Landesbrandversicherung AG
  • LVM Landwirtschaftlicher Versicherungsverein Münster a.G.
  • Mannheimer Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Markel Insurance SE
  • Mecklenburgische Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • MÜNCHENER VEREIN Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
  • NEH Neue Hildener Versicherung AG
  • Neodigital Autoversicherung AG
  • Newline Europe Versicherung AG
  • nexible Versicherung AG
  • NV-Versicherungen VVaG
  • NÜRNBERGER Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • NÜRNBERGER BEAMTEN ALLGEMEINE VERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • OKV - Ostdeutsche Kommunalversicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Provinzial Nord Brandkasse Aktiengesellschaft
  • Provinzial Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • R+V Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • RheinLand Versicherungs Aktiengesellschaft
  • Rhion Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • S DirektVersicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SAARLAND Feuerversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SIGNAL IDUNA Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Sparkassen-Versicherung Sachsen Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Stuttgarter Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SV SparkassenVersicherung Gebäudeversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • TRIAS Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • uniVersa Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Versicherer im Raum der Kirchen Sachversicherung AG
  • Versicherungskammer Bayern Versicherungsanstalt des öffentlichen Rechts
  • Versicherungsverband Deutscher Eisenbahnen-Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Verti Versicherung AG
  • VHV Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Volkswagen Autoversicherung AG
  • Volkswagen Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • VOLKSWOHL-BUND SACHVERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • Waldenburger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • WERTGARANTIE SE
  • WGV-Versicherung AG
  • WWK Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Württembergische Gemeinde-Versicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Württembergische Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Zurich Insurance Europe AG
  • Öffentliche Feuerversicherung Sachsen-Anhalt

Source: BaFin company database, 18 September 2026; EU insurers without a German office excluded.

Legal basis and sources

Products and add-ons

Motor trade policy

One policy for red plates, customer cars and stock, with liability and own damage cover under the motor trade conditions and the AKB.

Business liability for motor businesses

Covers injury and property damage from running the workshop, such as a customer slipping in reception. It complements the motor trade policy rather than replacing it.

Contents cover for the workshop

For lifts, diagnostic equipment, tools and parts against fire, burglary and water damage.

Short term plate with single cover

For businesses without a red plate that only transfer cars occasionally. Each use needs its own insurance confirmation.

Myth or truth

True or false?

Five things people say about this insurance. Guess first, then see the answer.

You cannot get a red plate without motor liability insurance.

This is true.

True, the application for a 06 plate requires an eVB number. Liability is a precondition; own damage cover stays optional.

I can let a buyer keep the car over the weekend on my red plate.

This is false.

False, the Administrative Court of Bayreuth ruled that leaving a car with a buyer for several days is not allowed. The plate is only for business inspection, test and transfer drives.

If a customer car falls off the lift, business liability pays.

This is false.

False, damage to vehicles being worked on or kept is normally excluded there. You need own damage cover under a motor trade policy.

A private collector can get a red 06 plate.

This is false.

False, 06 plates are only issued to reliable manufacturers, parts makers, garages and dealers.

No insurer pays to redo a faulty repair.

This is true.

True, putting the work right is warranty. At most, damage it causes to other property or people is covered.

Common mistakes

  • Relying on business liability when a customer car falls off the lift
  • Buying liability for the red plate only and forgetting own damage cover
  • Letting buyers test drive without checking ID and licence
  • Using the red plate privately or lending it to friends
  • Not raising the per vehicle limit when more expensive cars join the stock
  • Not keeping a record of red plate drives

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Who can get a red 06 trade plate in Germany?

Only reliable vehicle manufacturers, parts manufacturers, garages and dealers.

The registration office typically asks for your trade registration, a certificate of good conduct,

a commercial register extract for companies and the eVB number of your motor liability insurer.

Private individuals cannot get a 06 plate.

Can a customer test drive alone on a red plate?

A test drive is a business drive and therefore allowed.

Leaving the car with a buyer for several days is not,

as the Administrative Court of Bayreuth decided in 2021.

For cover, it also matters whether the customer counts as a permitted driver under the policy.

Does business liability pay for damage to a customer car?

Usually not.

Damage to vehicles you are working on or keeping, and damage caused by driving, is excluded there.

Motor trade insurance with own damage cover for vehicles in custody is designed for this.

Is a faulty repair covered?

No.

Putting your own work right is warranty and a business risk.

Consequential damage, for example to the car after the repair while it is still in your workshop,

may be covered depending on the policy.

What is the difference between a red plate and a short term plate?

The red 06 plate is for motor businesses and is reused for many vehicles (§ 41 FZV).

The short term plate under § 42 FZV covers one vehicle for a few days.

Both need motor liability insurance.

What liability limit makes sense?

German law requires at least EUR 7.5 million for bodily injury in motor liability.

A limit well above that, with a high amount per injured person, is sensible,

because on test drives people drive cars they do not know.

Are cars on the forecourt covered overnight?

Under partial cover against hail, storm, fire and theft,

if they belong to the insured stock or are customer cars in your custody.

Some policies require site security or set a limit for the whole site.

Why use a broker in Germany?

Because policies differ on custody, misappropriation, permitted drivers and limits,

and these points only show when there is a loss.

The wording is in German; we compare it,

check it against your business and support you when something happens.

NAMMERT insurance broker

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Motor trade insurance

For example used car sales, independent garage with two lifts, paint shop

For example luxury or classic cars in stock, unfenced site, recovery service, motorcycles

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