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Who is liable if ice or snow from a car roof hits another vehicle in Germany?

In short

Who is liable if ice or snow from a car roof hits another vehicle in Germany? The keeper of the car it falls from, and so their motor liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflicht). It pays the victim for the windscreen, paintwork and follow on costs, and the driver at fault also faces a EUR 25 fine and a no-claims downgrade. The hard part is proof when the driver ahead simply drives on.

Who is liable if ice or snow from a car roof hits another vehicle in Germany?

What it costs

Fines and typical repair costs from published figures in Germany.

ExampleTypical range
Fine for snow or ice on the roofEUR 25
Windscreen replacement with camera recalibration, depending on modelunder EUR 1,000 to over EUR 2,400
Fine for driving with only a peephole in an icy windscreenEUR 10
Fine for a snowed over number plateEUR 5

Fines under the German fines catalogue,

windscreen costs from a motoring club market survey of February 2026.

The worked example uses guide values from our quoting practice.

Worked example

A sheet of ice on the Autobahn

At 100 km/h a sheet of ice comes off the roof of an estate car and hits the windscreen and bonnet of the car behind. The driver behind notes the number plate and the police trace the keeper. The amounts are guide values from our quoting practice.

Windscreen with camera, replaced and recalibratedabout EUR 1,200 to 1,800
Dent in the bonnet, smart repairabout EUR 150 to 300
Paid by the liability insurer of the driver at faultabout EUR 1,350 to 2,100
Fine for the driver at faultEUR 25

The victim is paid in full without an excess. The driver at fault pays EUR 25 and is downgraded in their liability cover, which over several years usually costs more than the fine.

The keeper is liable, their insurer pays

Under § 7 (1) of the German Road Traffic Act (StVG), the keeper of a motor vehicle must pay for damage caused while it is being operated. A sheet of ice that flies off the roof into the windscreen of the car behind is exactly that kind of damage. Fault does not matter; liability is excluded only in cases of force majeure.

The keeper's motor liability insurance pays. Under § 115 VVG you can claim directly from that insurer. Gross negligence, such as a roof thick with snow, changes nothing for you as the victim, because under § 103 VVG liability insurance only refuses payment for intent.

SituationWho paysNo-claims downgrade
Ice hits the car behind, driver identifiedmotor liability insurance of the driver at faultfor the driver at fault
Driver drives on, windscreen crackedyour own partial cover (Teilkasko)none
Driver drives on, dent in the bonnetyour own comprehensive cover (Vollkasko)for you
Snow slides onto your own windscreen, accidentliability cover for the other party, comprehensive cover for your car, possibly reducedfor you

What it costs the driver at fault

Under § 23 (1) of the German road traffic regulations (StVO), the driver must make sure the vehicle is roadworthy and the view is clear. Driving with snow or ice on the roof costs EUR 25, a peephole in an icy windscreen EUR 10 and a snowed over number plate EUR 5.

The bigger cost is the downgrade: once the liability insurer pays, the no-claims class drops and the premium rises for several years. If snow slides onto your own windscreen when braking and you crash as a result, your comprehensive cover may cut its payment for your own car under § 81 (2) VVG if it proves gross negligence.

If the driver ahead drives on

Often the driver ahead notices nothing. Note the number plate, type of vehicle, place and time straight away, or dictate them, and ask passengers or other drivers to act as witnesses. Report the incident to the police, who can trace the keeper from the number plate.

If the driver stays unknown, only your own cover helps. Partial cover pays for a cracked windscreen as glass breakage without a downgrade. Dents and paint damage are paid only by comprehensive cover, as an accident with a downgrade. If the driver is found later and their insurer reimburses yours in full, the model conditions treat your contract as claim free again.

Lorries, vans and motorhomes

Keeper liability applies to every motor vehicle. Large slabs of ice come off lorries, vans and motorhomes in particular, because their roofs are high, flat and hard to reach. Here too the liability insurer of the vehicle the ice came from pays, provided you can prove it.

Proof is often the weak point. Keep your distance from vehicles with visible snow on the roof. That protects you better than any argument about liability later.

Before you set off: clear the roof

Before driving, clear the roof, bonnet, windows, mirrors, lights and number plates. A soft brush or plastic snow shovel protects the paintwork. Leaving the engine running while you do this is not allowed (§ 30 StVO).

If you park in a garage or under a carport, you save yourself the work. A cover sheet on the roof helps with overnight snowfall but does little against ice that has frozen on.

Step by step

  1. Note or dictate the number plate, vehicle type, place and time straight away.
  2. Stop safely, photograph the damage and ask witnesses for their details.
  3. Report the incident to the police.
  4. If the keeper is known, send your claim to their motor liability insurer.
  5. If they stay unknown, report glass damage to your own partial cover within one week.

Checklist

  • Number plate of the vehicle at fault
  • Photos of the damage and of the ice
  • Witnesses with contact details
  • Police reference number
  • Roof, windows and number plates cleared before every winter drive

Common mistakes

  • Driving on without noting the number plate
  • Claiming a dent from your own comprehensive cover although the driver at fault is known
  • Scraping only the windows and leaving the snow on the roof
  • Driving close behind a lorry with snow on its roof

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Do I have to clear snow from my car roof in Germany?

Yes.

Under § 23 StVO the vehicle must be roadworthy.

Driving with snow or ice on the roof costs EUR 25.

Will my liability insurance pay if ice from my roof hits a car?

Yes.

It pays the victim even if you were grossly negligent in not clearing the roof.

Afterwards your no-claims class drops.

What do I do if the driver ahead drives on?

Note the number plate and tell the police.

If nobody is found, your partial cover pays for the glass and only comprehensive cover pays for

dents.

Will I be downgraded if my partial cover pays for the windscreen?

No.

Glass breakage under partial cover does not affect your no-claims class.

You only pay the excess.

Does this also apply to ice from a lorry?

Yes.

The keeper of every motor vehicle is liable for damage caused while it is operated,

including a lorry.

What matters is proof.

Can I be found partly at fault?

That depends on the case, for example if you were driving far too close.

Keeping your distance from vehicles with snow on top is sensible for both reasons.

Sources

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