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How can new drivers pay less for car insurance in Germany?

In short

With their own policy, 18-year-olds in Germany pay on average about EUR 1,150 to 1,650 a year. The biggest saving is the second car rule: the car is insured by a parent and starts in no-claims class SF 1/2 instead of SF 0, about 30 percent less. Accompanied driving from 17, a car in a low type class and a telematics tariff can bring the price down further.

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How can new drivers pay less for car insurance in Germany?

What it costs

Published premiums for new drivers in Germany, as of May to July 2026.

Example	Typical range
Age 18, own policy, no accompanied driving	on average about EUR 1,510 to 1,630 a year
Age 18, own policy, with accompanied driving	on average about EUR 1,150 to 1,520 a year
Age 17, accompanied driving, Golf as father's second car, SF 1/2	about EUR 480 to 600 a year
Age 19, small car as second car, SF 1/2	about EUR 550 to 700 a year
Age 18, used car, own policy in SF 0	about EUR 1,100 to 1,500 a year

Guide values as of September 2026 from published averages and sample profiles. The worked example below is a guide value from our quoting practice. Your premium depends on the car, your address, the cover and the insurer.

Worked example

Daughter, 18, used small car

Liability and partial cover, medium-sized town, accompanied driving completed.

Own policy in SF 0	about EUR 1,100 to 1,400 a year
Mother's second car in SF 1/2	about EUR 650 to 850 a year
Plus telematics at 10 percent	about EUR 65 to 85 less

With the second car rule the family pays about EUR 400 to 600 less a year. After three claim-free years the daughter can take those years into her own policy.

Why new drivers pay so much

In Germany the premium depends heavily on the no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse, SF). Without any history you start in SF 0, the full rate, often with a surcharge for young drivers.

The next step makes a big difference. At one large insurer SF 1/2 costs about 68 percent of the SF 0 premium, and after 15 claim-free years you pay only about a third. Every year without a claim counts.

The levers that work

Not every lever suits every family. The table shows what each brings and where the catch is.

Lever	Effect	Catch
Second car on a parent's name	SF 1/2 instead of SF 0, about 30 percent	the parent is the policyholder, an accident counts against this policy
No-claims years from parents or grandparents	up to as many years as you have held your licence	the person handing them over loses them for good
Accompanied driving from 17	about 10 to 30 percent	not every insurer gives a discount
Car in a low type class	clear, depending on the model	limits your choice of car
Telematics tariff	10 to 30 percent	your driving data is analysed, the discount is not guaranteed
Partial instead of comprehensive cover on an older car	noticeably lower own-damage premium	you pay for damage you cause to your own car

New to Germany is not the same as new driver

If you have driven for years abroad, you are not a beginner, but German insurers may still start you in SF 0. Ask your previous insurer for a no-claims letter, ideally in English or German, listing your claim-free years. Many insurers will consider it, but there is no legal right to it.

A licence from outside the EU is usually valid for six months after you take up residence. Tell the insurer which licence you hold and when you got it, because the years since your first licence also matter for the starting class.

Second car rule or transfer: which fits?

With the second car rule a parent registers the car as their second vehicle and names you as the driver. The policy gets a better starting class and builds up its own claim-free years, which can later be transferred to you for your own policy.

A transfer makes sense when parents or grandparents give up their car for good. You receive at most as many years as you have held your licence. Someone who still drives should not hand over their years, because they would start from the bottom again.

When saving backfires

Leaving a young driver off the policy only saves money until something happens. Then the insurer charges the difference and often a contractual penalty. Name everyone who drives the car regularly.

Comprehensive cover is rarely worth it for a used car worth EUR 3,000. For a new or financed car it is, because a total loss in the first years of driving is not unusual.

Step by step

Compare the type class of the cars you are considering before you buy.
Ask your parents' insurer whether it offers a second car rule and at which class.
Check whether anyone in the family is giving up a car for good and could transfer their class.
Keep proof of accompanied driving or of your driving history abroad.
Compare quotes with all drivers named honestly and the same deductible.

Checklist

All drivers named with their age
Starting class SF 1/2 or better confirmed in writing
Type class checked before buying
Own-damage cover suits the car's value
Annual mileage estimated realistically

Common mistakes

Leaving the young driver off the parents' policy
Taking over the no-claims class of grandparents who still drive
Buying a car in a high type class and only then asking for a quote
Not presenting a no-claims letter from abroad

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

How much is car insurance for an 18-year-old per month?

With their own policy, on average about EUR 95 to 135. As a parent's second car, often around half that.

Does my child's accident affect the parents' main policy?

It counts against the second car policy the child drives under. The policy for the parents' first car is not affected.

Will my years of driving abroad count?

Sometimes. Many insurers accept a no-claims letter from your previous insurer, but they are not obliged to.

How many no-claims years can I get from my parents?

At most as many as you have held your licence. With two years, you get two, even if your parents could hand over thirty.

Is a telematics tariff worth it?

Often, if you drive calmly and rarely at night. If you do not want your driving analysed, the second car rule and a low type class usually save more.

When does it get cheaper?

Your no-claims class rises with every claim-free year. After three to four years without a claim the premium drops noticeably.

Sources

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