What happens to car insurance when the registered keeper dies in Germany?
In short
When the registered keeper dies in Germany, the car insurance does not end by itself. It passes to the heirs together with the rest of the estate, cover continues and premiums keep running. The heirs should inform the insurer quickly and re-register, deregister or sell the car. Under the model terms, the no-claims class only passes to someone who mainly drove the car, unless the insurer is more generous.
What a no-claims class can be worth when someone dies, measured by average premiums in Germany.
Example
Typical range
Liability with comprehensive cover, average
about EUR 590 a year
New driver with comprehensive cover without a transferred class
often over EUR 1,000 a year
Liability only, average
about EUR 256 to 290 a year
Average premiums from published market overviews, as of October 2026.
The figures in the worked example are guide values from quoting practice,
the insurer decides whether a transfer is possible.
Worked example
Widow takes over her husband's car
The deceased was in no-claims class 25. The widow has held a licence for 30 years and mainly shared the driving.
Premium with transferred class 25
about EUR 520 a year
Premium in a low class of her own
about EUR 1,100 a year
Saving through the transfer
about EUR 580 a year
The transfer clearly pays off. Settle it with the insurer before re-registering.
The contract passes to the heirs
Under section 1922 of the German Civil Code, a person's estate passes as a whole to the heirs on death. This includes the car and the insurance contract. Car insurance therefore does not end when the keeper dies, liability and hull cover continue.
That is useful, because a car without liability insurance may neither be driven nor stay registered. But the heirs also owe the further premiums. If nobody wants to keep the car, act quickly.
What the heirs do
Effect on car insurance
Keep the car and re-register it
contract continues or a new one, premium based on the new keeper
Deregister the car temporarily
free dormant cover
Sell the car
insurance passes to the buyer, buyer or insurer may cancel
Scrap the car
contract ends as the risk no longer exists
Do nothing
premiums keep running, reminders go to the estate
Re-register, deregister or sell
If an heir keeps the car, they re-register it in their name at the registration office (Zulassungsstelle). They need proof of being an heir, the registration certificates and an insurance confirmation (eVB number). The insurer adjusts the premium to the new keeper's details, such as age and address.
If the car is deregistered, the model terms switch the contract to free dormant cover. If it is sold, the insurance passes to the buyer, who can cancel it. Seller and buyer must report the sale to the insurer without delay.
What happens to the no-claims class
The no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse) is tied to the contract and person. The model terms allow you to take over another person's claims history if you mainly drove their car. You must declare and be able to prove this to the insurer.
Some insurers allow a spouse or child to take over the class in case of death even beyond this. That is goodwill and not in every contract, so ask in writing before re-registering.
If you are new to Germany
In many countries insurance is tied to the driver. In Germany it is tied to the car, which is why the policy simply continues after a death. A no-claims history from abroad is not automatically counted, so a transferred German class can be worth a lot.
If several heirs are involved, agree early who gets the car, because until then they are jointly responsible for the premiums.
When you need not rush
If the car is parked in a garage and the premium has been paid for the year, you do not have to deregister in the first week. More important is that nobody drives the car without clarifying cover, especially if the policy limits who may drive.
If you want to use the deceased's no-claims class, wait before taking out a new contract of your own until the transfer is settled. Otherwise the discount may be lost.
Step by step
Inform the insurer with the death certificate and policy number.
Clarify who inherits the car and whether it will be kept.
If kept: apply for transfer of the no-claims class, then re-register.
If sold or scrapped: inform the insurer and registration office.
Only drive the car once cover is clarified.
Checklist
Death certificate and proof of inheritance
Registration certificate parts I and II
Policy with permitted drivers and no-claims class
Proof that you mainly drove the car
Premium invoice to check refunds
Common mistakes
Driving the car on with unpaid premiums and no notice
Taking out a new contract before the class transfer is settled
Telling the insurer only months later
Believing the contract ends automatically on death
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does car insurance end when the keeper dies?
No.
It passes to the heirs and continues until the car is deregistered, sold or scrapped.
May I drive the deceased's car?
Yes, as long as the contract is in force and your age and the permitted drivers fit.
Ask the insurer if in doubt.
Can I take over my late father's no-claims class?
Under the model terms only if you mainly drove his car.
Some insurers are more generous after a death.
Will overpaid premiums be refunded?
On deregistration, sale or scrapping the premium is usually settled pro rata.
What happens with an accident after the death?
It is covered as long as the contract runs and premiums are paid.
