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Does comprehensive cover pay if a firecracker damages my parked car?

In short

Does comprehensive cover pay if a firecracker damages my parked car? In Germany usually yes. If the firecracker explodes, the car catches fire or a window cracks, partial cover (Teilkasko) pays without affecting your no-claims class. Dents without an explosion and deliberate damage are paid only by full comprehensive cover (Vollkasko), with a downgrade. If the thrower is known, he is liable first.

Does comprehensive cover pay if a firecracker damages my parked car?

What it costs

What fireworks damage to a car can cost, based on published workshop and claims figures from Germany.

ExampleTypical range
Small paint damage, smart repairabout 80 to 300 euros
Repainting one body panelfrom about 400 euros per panel
Windscreen with camera, depending on modelunder 1,000 to over 2,400 euros
Car fire, average claim 2023more than 7,100 euros

Workshop prices as of 2026 and fire claims for 2023 from the sources listed.

The worked example below is a guide value from quoting practice; your costs depend on model,

paint and workshop.

Worked example

Firecracker explodes next to the driver's door

On New Year's Eve a firecracker bursts right at the driver's door of a parked compact car. Door and front wing have dents and paint damage, the thrower is unknown. Policy with partial cover and a 150 euro deductible.

Remove dents and repaint door and wingabout 900 to 1,400 euros
Partial cover deductible150 euros
Partial cover paysabout 750 to 1,250 euros
Downgradenone

You pay 150 euros, partial cover pays the rest and your premium stays the same. Without own-damage cover you would pay the whole repair.

Partial cover: explosion, fire and glass

The model terms AKB 2015 include fire and explosion in partial cover (A.2.2.1.1). An explosion is a sudden release of force from expanding gases, which is exactly what a firecracker bursting next to or under your car is. Dents and paint damage from the blast are therefore partial cover claims.

Fire only counts if there are flames that can spread by themselves; the terms expressly exclude scorching and singeing. A cracked windscreen, mirror glass or light cover falls under glass breakage (A.2.2.1.5). Partial cover does not touch your no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse), you only pay the deductible.

Full comprehensive: impact and vandalism

If a rocket hits the car without exploding and leaves a dent, that is an accident under full comprehensive cover: a sudden event acting on the car with mechanical force from outside (A.2.2.2.2). If someone deliberately puts a firecracker in the exhaust or on the bonnet, that is malicious damage (A.2.2.2.3). Only full comprehensive cover pays for either.

That means a downgrade in full comprehensive cover. One exception: if full cover pays for damage that partial cover would also have paid, the contract counts as claim free under I.4.1.2 of the AKB. When you report the claim, ask which type of cover the insurer is settling it under.

DamagePartial coverFull comprehensiveDowngrade
Firecracker explodes, paint and panels damagedyesyesno
Car catches fire with flamesyesyesno
Window or mirror glass crackedyesyesno
Rocket hits, dent without explosionnoyesyes, in full cover
Firecracker set off on the car on purposeonly the explosion damageyesno, as far as partial cover applies
Burn mark from a smouldering remnantnoonly if vandalismyes, in full cover

If the thrower is known

Anyone who damages someone else's car with fireworks is liable under § 823 BGB. For negligence, his personal liability insurance usually pays. If he acted intentionally, his insurer is not liable under § 103 VVG and he pays out of his own pocket.

You can also claim on your own comprehensive cover first. If your insurer recovers the full amount from the thrower or his liability insurer, your contract counts as claim free (I.4.1.2). Note name and address, take photos and find witnesses.

When nobody pays

If you only have compulsory car liability (Kfz-Haftpflicht), it never pays for your own car. If the thrower stays unknown, you bear the damage. A burn mark or small hole in the paint from a smouldering remnant is a scorch damage under partial cover and not insured.

If you set off fireworks right next to your own car, the insurer may reduce payment for gross negligence under § 81(2) VVG. A soft top that is only singed without burning is also not covered by partial cover.

Report, file a police report, keep evidence

Under E.1.1.1 of the AKB you must report every claim within one week. Fire damage above a limit stated in your contract must also be reported to the police without delay (E.1.3.3). With vandalism a police report makes sense anyway, because otherwise nobody looks for the culprit.

Photograph the damage during the night or on New Year's morning, including firecracker and rocket remains around the car. They later show whether an explosion or an impact caused the damage, and that decides which cover pays.

Step by step

  1. Photograph the damage and surroundings straight away, including firework remains.
  2. Note witnesses and, if known, the thrower.
  3. File a police report for fire or vandalism.
  4. Report the claim to your own insurer within one week and ask which cover applies.
  5. Get the insurer's instructions before the repair.

Checklist

  • Photos of the damage and of firecracker remains
  • Name and address of the thrower or witnesses
  • Police reference number for fire or vandalism
  • Claim reported to the insurer within one week
  • Deductible and possible downgrade considered before deciding

Common mistakes

  • Taking photos days later after the remains have been swept away
  • Reporting an explosion as a scratch and ending up in full cover with a downgrade
  • Hoping an unknown culprit turns up without a police report
  • Setting off fireworks next to your own car

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Does partial cover pay if a firecracker explodes under my car?

Yes.

Explosion is covered by partial cover even if there is no fire, and there is no downgrade.

What if only a black mark is left on the paint?

If nothing exploded and nothing burned, it is a scorch damage, which partial cover does not pay.

Polishing often removes the mark.

Will a New Year's claim raise my premium?

Only if full comprehensive cover pays for damage that partial cover does not include,

such as a dent from a rocket.

Do I have to go to the police?

For fire above the limit in your contract, yes; for vandalism it is strongly advisable,

otherwise nobody looks for the culprit.

Does the thrower's liability insurance pay?

Usually yes for negligence.

Anyone who causes damage on purpose pays himself, his insurance does not.

How can I protect my car on New Year's Eve?

Park in a garage or away from places where people celebrate.

A multi-storey car park is an option if you have no garage.

Sources

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