You insure a caravan in Germany with its own motor liability policy, which is mandatory for registration and often costs under EUR 100 a year. Depending on value you add partial cover (Teilkasko), about EUR 130 to 300, or comprehensive cover (Vollkasko), about EUR 250 to 1,000. Contents such as awning and crockery need a separate add-on.
Annual premiums from published caravan tariff examples.
Example
Typical range
Liability, caravan with about EUR 22,000 new price
about EUR 13 to 62 a year
Liability and partial cover, about EUR 29,000 new price
about EUR 157 to 557 a year
Liability and comprehensive, about EUR 77,000 new price
about EUR 629 to 1,223 a year
Contents add-on up to EUR 10,000
about EUR 50 a year
Guide values as of October 2026 from published examples with EUR 150 to 500 excess.
The range shows how much comparing pays; as a broker we obtain a fitting quote.
Worked example
Used caravan for EUR 29,000
A couple buys a five year old caravan and spends three weeks in Italy every summer.
Liability
about EUR 15 to 60
Partial cover with EUR 150 excess
about EUR 140 to 500
Contents add-on EUR 10,000
about EUR 50
Seasonal plate April to October
lowers the premium depending on tariff
Together about EUR 200 to 600 a year. Cheap and expensive tariffs for the same caravan differ by several hundred euros.
Liability is mandatory
A caravan is a trailer with its own number plate and therefore needs its own motor liability insurance. It is not covered by the towing car's policy. You get the insurance code (eVB-Nummer) for registration from the insurer, just as for a car.
In an accident while towing, section 19(4) of the Road Traffic Act places the loss between the two keepers on the towing car's liability insurance. The caravan's own liability matters mostly when it is parked: it rolls off its pitch into a car, or a door slams into the neighbour's van in a storm.
Partial or comprehensive cover for the caravan
Partial cover pays damage to the caravan itself from storm, hail, fire, theft or broken glass. Hail on the roof and storms on campsites are common caravan claims.
Comprehensive cover also pays damage you cause yourself, for example reversing into a post, and vandalism. It suits new or financed caravans. For an older caravan worth a few thousand euros, partial cover is often enough.
Cover
Pays for
Rough cost a year
Liability
damage to others, mostly when parked
often under EUR 100
Partial cover
storm, hail, fire, theft, glass
about EUR 130 to 300
Comprehensive cover
also own driving errors and vandalism
about EUR 250 to 1,000
Contents add-on
awning, crockery, camping furniture
about EUR 50 for EUR 10,000
What damage cover does not pay
Damage cover insures the caravan with fixed fittings such as kitchen, bathroom and furniture. Loose items like the awning, crockery, bedding, camping chairs or bikes are not included. A contents add-on covers them, often up to EUR 10,000.
Declare retrofitted parts such as an awning rail, mover or solar panel with their value, otherwise they are missing from the payout.
Winter break and seasonal plates
For cars, deregistration turns the policy into free dormant cover (Ruheversicherung). The model terms expressly exclude caravan trailers from this. If you deregister the caravan for winter, the policy may simply end, and with it the cover on the storage site.
A seasonal plate (Saisonkennzeichen), for example April to October, usually fits better. Outside the season limited dormant cover then applies for liability and partial cover, provided the caravan is stored in a building or fenced area. Ask how your tariff handles this.
Static caravan: when it no longer moves
If the caravan stays on the campsite all year and is never towed, it needs no registration and therefore no motor liability. A static caravan policy (Dauercamper-Versicherung) then insures the caravan, awning and contents on the pitch.
Liability for damage caused by the parked caravan should then sit in a personal liability policy that includes it explicitly. Check this, as many exclude vehicles and trailers.
Step by step
Note the new price and current value of the caravan.
Take out liability for registration.
Choose partial or comprehensive cover by value.
Estimate contents and add cover if worthwhile.
Decide on a seasonal or all year plate and sort out storage.
Checklist
Own liability for the caravan
Damage cover matching the value
Awning rail, mover and solar declared
Contents and awning insured
Winter rules in the policy checked
Common mistakes
Deregistering for winter and ending the policy
Believing the awning is covered by damage cover
Not declaring retrofits
Forgetting liability on a static pitch
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Is my caravan covered by my car insurance?
No.
As a trailer with its own plate it needs its own liability policy.
In an accident while towing, the car's liability usually pays.
How much does caravan insurance cost?
Liability often under EUR 100, with partial cover usually a few hundred euros,
with comprehensive cover over EUR 1,000 a year for new caravans.
Do I need comprehensive cover?
For a new or financed caravan usually yes.
For an older one, partial cover against storm, hail and theft is often enough.
Can I deregister the caravan for winter?
Yes, but free dormant cover does not apply to caravans under the model terms.
A seasonal plate is usually better.
Are the contents insured?
Only fixed fittings through damage cover.
Loose items need a contents add-on.
Is there a no-claims class for caravans?
It depends on the tariff.
Many rate trailers without one, some rate caravans by claims history.
