Does insurance pay for a rental car after an accident in Germany?
In short
In Germany, if you are not at fault, the other driver's liability insurance pays for a rental car after an accident: an equivalent car for as long as the repair takes. Instead you can claim loss of use (Nutzungsausfall) of about EUR 23 to 175 a day. If you caused it, your own damage cover pays no rental car; only a breakdown policy may, usually up to seven days and away from home.
Guide values for refunds when you are not at fault.
Example
Typical range
Loss of use, smallest group
about EUR 23 a day
Loss of use, mid size
about EUR 43 to 59 a day
Loss of use, largest group
about EUR 175 a day
Rental car via breakdown cover when at fault
at most 7 days, with a daily cap
Values as of October 2026 from the published table and the model terms.
Your car's group depends on model and age; whether breakdown cover pays is in your policy.
Worked example
Compact car, six days in the garage
A commuter is hit at traffic lights; the other driver is fully at fault. The assessor puts the repair at six working days.
Rental car one class smaller, 6 days at EUR 55
EUR 330, usually refunded in full
Or loss of use, group E
6 × EUR 43, so EUR 258
Own share with full fault on the other side
EUR 0
If he needs the car daily, he rents. If he hardly drives, he takes EUR 258 and skips the paperwork.
Not at fault: the other side's liability insurance
Whoever causes an accident must restore the position you would be in without it, section 249 of the Civil Code (BGB). That includes staying mobile while your car is repaired. You claim directly from the other driver's motor liability insurer, which then pays for an equivalent rental car after an accident.
It pays the necessary costs for as long as the repair or replacement actually takes. Assessor reports usually state the repair time in days. If you leave the car standing longer than needed, the extra days are on you.
Rental car or loss of use
Instead of renting, you can claim a daily flat rate for loss of use. It follows a table of vehicle groups from about EUR 23 a day for small cars to EUR 175 for large ones. Older cars usually drop one or two groups.
You cannot have both. If you drive little, the flat rate is often the better choice and avoids arguments about rental costs. If you commute daily or need a large car, take the rental.
Route
What you get
When it fits
Rental car of the same class
rental costs minus saved own costs
daily trips, family, work
Rental car one class smaller
usually full rental costs, no deduction
when a smaller car will do
Loss of use
about EUR 23 to 175 a day
few trips, second car available
Where refunds get cut
Special accident replacement rates offered by rental firms are often much higher than normal prices. The other side only has to pay them if the higher price is justified by extra services. Ask for the normal rate and compare two offers.
A share for saved costs is often deducted, because your own car is not wearing out meanwhile. If you rent a car one class lower, many insurers waive that deduction. With shared fault you only get the other side's share.
At fault: your damage cover pays no rental car
Under the model terms, partial and comprehensive cover (Teilkasko, Vollkasko) do not pay consequential losses such as loss of use or the cost of a rental car. If you caused the accident, the rental car is usually your own cost.
Breakdown cover only helps within narrow limits. Under the model terms it pays for a rental car for at most seven days with a daily cap, and only after a breakdown or accident at a set distance from home. It pays nothing for an accident in your own town.
When you do not need a rental car
If there is a second car in the household, you do not really lose the use of a car, and there is usually neither rental nor loss of use. The same applies if you are in hospital or travelling and nobody else would use the car.
If the garage offers a free courtesy car, accept it. If you decline and rent anyway, the other side may refuse to pay.
Step by step
Document the accident and clarify fault.
Report the claim directly to the other side's liability insurer.
Note the repair time from the assessor's report.
Rent at the normal rate, ideally one class smaller.
Send the rental contract and invoice to the other side.
Checklist
Fault settled or share known
Normal rate instead of accident rate
Rental no longer than the repair
Free courtesy car checked
Breakdown cover and its distance limit known
Common mistakes
Renting an expensive car when at fault and hoping your cover pays
Signing an accident replacement rate at the counter
Leaving the car longer than the repair takes
Claiming rental and loss of use together
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does my comprehensive cover pay for a rental car?
No, under the model terms rental costs are excluded.
Some tariffs sell a separate add-on.
How long does the other side pay for the rental car?
For the necessary repair time or the time to find a replacement,
usually based on the assessor's report.
Do I have to pay the rental up front?
Often the rental firm bills the other side directly when fault is clear.
Otherwise you pay first and submit the invoice.
What is loss of use?
A daily flat rate if you do not rent.
It ranges from about EUR 23 to 175 depending on the car.
