Insurance broker / Insurance questions / Car insurance

How do I switch my car insurance in Germany?

In short

Cancel the old policy in writing with one month's notice before the end of the policy year, for most contracts by 30 November. After a price rise, a claim or a car sale you can also switch during the year. Sign the new policy before you cancel so that there is never a gap in cover.

Request a quote +49 3375 29 12 77

How do I switch my car insurance in Germany?

What it costs

Average annual premiums from published analyses. Your premium depends on car, region and no-claims class.

Example	Typical range
Liability only	about EUR 250 to 500 a year
Liability with partial cover (Teilkasko)	about EUR 350 to 700 a year
Liability with comprehensive cover (Vollkasko)	about EUR 600 to 1,500 a year

Guide values as of September 2026 from publicly quoted averages. We obtain the exact quote for you.

Worked example

Compact car with partial cover, switch on 1 January

This is how a switch adds up after the old insurer raised the premium.

Old premium after the rise	EUR 620
New quote, same cover	EUR 480
Cancellation at the old insurer	by 30 November

A saving of about EUR 140 a year without losing cover. Worked example, not a promise.

When you can cancel

Most car policies run by calendar year. Your cancellation must then reach the old insurer by 30 November at the latest. What counts is the day it arrives, not the date on the letter.

If your policy runs differently, for example from the day you bought the car, the end date is on your policy document. The deadline is one month before that date.

Reason	Deadline
End of the policy year	one month before, usually by 30 November
Price rise without better cover	one month after receiving the notice
After a settled claim	one month after the claim is settled
Selling or deregistering the car	policy ends with the change of owner

What is different if you come from abroad

German premiums depend heavily on your no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse). Some insurers accept claims-free years from abroad if you bring a written confirmation from your previous insurer, ideally in English or German. Others start you as a new driver. It is worth asking before you sign, because the difference can be several hundred euros a year.

To register a car you need an electronic insurance confirmation (eVB-Nummer) from the new insurer. When you switch later, the new insurer reports the change electronically, you do not have to visit the registration office.

What moves with you and what does not

Your no-claims class belongs to you, not to the insurer. The new insurer requests it from the old one and applies it to the new policy.

Discount protection (Rabattschutz) and special agreements do not move with you. If you had protection against a downgrade after a claim, check whether the new insurer handles this the same way.

When switching is not worth it

If the difference is only a few euros and your claims were handled well, staying is often the smarter choice. A cheap tariff that makes you use a chosen garage (Werkstattbindung) or has a high deductible is not the same as your current cover.

Compare item by item: new value payout, gross negligence, animal bites with consequential damage and collisions with all kinds of animals.

Step by step

Find your policy document: end date, cover and deductible.
Get quotes with the same cover and compare more than the price.
Sign the new policy and receive the electronic insurance confirmation.
Cancel the old policy in writing with proof of receipt.
Wait for the confirmation and check the first bill from the new insurer.

Checklist

Cancellation arrives by 30 November at the latest
New policy starts the day after the old one ends
Gross negligence and collisions with all animals included
Annual mileage and drivers stated correctly
No-claims class, including years from abroad, checked in the new quote

Common mistakes

Posting the cancellation on 30 November instead of making sure it arrives
Cancelling the old policy before the new one is in place
Comparing only the price and missing a garage restriction
Stating too low an annual mileage to save money
Not asking whether claims-free years from abroad count

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Can I switch my car insurance at any time?

No. Normally only at the end of the policy year with one month's notice, and also after a price rise, a claim or a change of car.

Will I lose my no-claims class when I switch?

No. The new insurer takes it over and requests it from your previous one.

Do my claims-free years from abroad count?

With some insurers yes, if you bring a written confirmation from your previous insurer. There is no general right to it, so ask before you sign.

Is cancelling by email enough?

Many insurers accept text form, so email works. Make sure you get confirmation of receipt.

What if I miss 30 November?

Then the policy runs for another year unless you have a special right to cancel.

Do I have to tell the registration office?

No. The new insurer reports the insurance electronically.

Sources

NAMMERT insurance broker

Request a quote: Car insurance

We compare several insurers and come back with a proposal. Free for you; the insurer pays our fee. You can write in English.

1Who is it for?

Personal My company

2Which insurance?

Choose as many as you like. For each one, the details an insurer needs for a quote appear below.

Personal

Business

Please review all my existing policies

3Details

Car insurance in Germany (liability, partial and fully comprehensive)

Vehicle (make, model, power) * Most precise with the HSN and TSN codes from the registration document Year of first registration * Current no-claims class (liability) * Annual mileage * Who drives the car? * Cover required * Is the car kept in a garage overnight?

4Your current policy

Current insurer Policy ends on What matters more to you?

5How can we reach you?

Name * Email * Phone Postcode Town Preferred contact Anything else we should know