Is my car insured on a ferry crossing? Partly. Your motor liability insurance still pays if your car damages another vehicle on board. Damage to your own car is paid by comprehensive cover (Vollkasko), unless your policy excludes transport by ship. On routes covered by EU law, the ferry operator is liable for at most 12,700 Special Drawing Rights, about EUR 14,700 to 15,000.
Liability caps under EU law, converted at the 2026 Special Drawing Right rate, and prices for ferry insurance.
Example
Typical range
Maximum operator liability per vehicle and crossing, luggage in the car included
12,700 Special Drawing Rights, about EUR 14,700 to 15,000
Deductible the operator may agree for vehicle damage
up to 330 Special Drawing Rights, about EUR 380 to 390
Ferry insurance per crossing, depending on vehicle value and deductible
two-digit to low three-digit euro amount, about EUR 10 to 300
Comprehensive cover deductible if the operator does not pay
usually EUR 300 to 1,000
Special Drawing Right rate in 2026 about EUR 1.16 to 1.18, as of October 2026.
The deductible range is a guide value from our quoting practice.
Whether your policy includes transport by ship is in your terms; we check this for you.
Worked example
Motorhome worth EUR 60,000 tips over in heavy seas
How the numbers work when the operator is liable but the cap applies.
Damage to the motorhome per assessment
EUR 40,000
Maximum operator liability
about EUR 15,000
Agreed operator deductible
minus about EUR 385
Remaining gap
about EUR 25,400
Only comprehensive cover without a ship exclusion or ferry insurance pays the rest; without either, you carry it yourself.
What your motor liability insurance pays on board
Under the German model terms (AKB), motor liability insurance covers claims when someone is injured or someone else's property is damaged through the use of your car. If your car rolls into another vehicle on the car deck, that is such a case. On ferries within Europe your policy applies without any add-on.
Liability insurance never pays for your own car. The terms exclude this explicitly. For that you need Kasko cover or money from the ferry operator.
Damage on board
Who usually pays
What matters
Your car damages another car
your motor liability insurer
no-claims downgrade as with any liability claim
Another car damages yours
the other keeper's liability insurer
note name and number plate
Crew damage your car while parking it
the ferry operator
liability cap and reporting deadline
Car slides or tips over in heavy seas
ferry operator, otherwise comprehensive cover
policy must not exclude transport by ship
Fire or theft on board
partial or comprehensive cover
your deductible
Your own car: it depends on your Kasko policy
The German model Kasko terms apply within the geographical borders of Europe and contain no specific exclusion for ferries. Some insurers do restrict or exclude transport by ship in their own terms, so read the sections on territory and exclusions in your policy before you travel.
Partial cover (Teilkasko) only pays for the events it lists, such as fire or theft. A car that slides, tips over or is hit by crew is a case for comprehensive cover (Vollkasko). A Vollkasko claim costs you your deductible and a no-claims downgrade, unless the ferry operator pays.
How far the ferry operator is liable
EU Regulation 392/2009 with the Athens Convention applies to crossings with an EU link: the ship flies the flag of an EU country, the contract was made in the EU, or departure or destination is in the EU. For domestic voyages it only covers certain ship classes. Your car counts as luggage.
The operator is liable for damage to your car unless it proves it was not at fault. Liability stops at 12,700 Special Drawing Rights per vehicle and crossing, including luggage in the car. A deductible of up to 330 Special Drawing Rights may also be agreed. For an expensive car or a motorhome that is not enough after a total loss.
Deadlines after damage on board
Report visible damage to the operator in writing at the latest when you get the car back, so before leaving the port. Report damage that is not visible within 15 days. If you do not report it, you will later have to prove the car was damaged on board.
Claims against the operator are time-barred after two years. Report the damage to your German car insurer at the same time so no deadline runs out there either.
When ferry insurance makes sense and when it does not
Ferry insurance pays for damage during loading, the crossing and unloading, usually without having to prove the operator was at fault. It is normally bought per crossing. It makes sense for motorhomes, expensive cars and long crossings on open sea, such as to Corsica, Ireland or Crete.
For short, calm routes with a car that your Vollkasko covers without a ship exclusion, you usually do not need it. Motorhome policies in particular often leave out your share of general average: if the captain sacrifices cargo to save the ship, everyone involved shares the cost.
Ferries to North Africa or Turkey
Under the model terms, liability and Kasko cover apply within the geographical borders of Europe. For destinations outside, such as Morocco or Tunisia, you need the International Motor Insurance Card (Green Card) for liability, and Kasko only applies there if your policy explicitly extends it.
Before such a trip, ask your insurer in writing to confirm that the crossing and the destination are covered.
Step by step
Before booking, read the territory and ship transport exclusions in your car policy.
Check the ferry operator's conditions of carriage for liability and deductible.
For a motorhome or expensive car, buy ferry insurance before you travel.
Photograph the car all round before driving on, then engage a gear and the handbrake on board.
Report any damage in writing to the operator while still in port and inform your car insurer.
Checklist
Vollkasko without an exclusion for transport by ship
Photos of the car before boarding
Operator's conditions of carriage read
Ferry insurance for a motorhome or long crossing
Green Card for destinations outside Europe
Common mistakes
Leaving the port without reporting visible damage in writing
Assuming the ferry operator will pay the full damage
Not having Kasko confirmed before a trip to North Africa
Leaving valuables in the car although they fall under the same cap
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does partial cover pay for damage on a ferry?
Only for the events it lists, such as fire or theft.
Sliding, tipping over or parking damage is only covered by Vollkasko.
Will I lose my no-claims class if Vollkasko pays?
In principle yes.
Under the model terms, however, the policy counts as claim-free if the party at fault,
here the ferry operator, repays the insurer in full.
Because of the cap, that only works for smaller claims.
Can I stay in my car during the crossing?
Usually not.
On many ferries the car deck is closed during the voyage.
Take valuables and medication with you.
What is general average?
If the captain sacrifices cargo or vehicles in an emergency to save ship and people,
everyone involved shares the cost.
Check whether your Kasko pays this share.
Does the cap include luggage in the car?
Yes.
The 12,700 Special Drawing Rights apply to the vehicle including everything carried in or on it.
Do I need anything extra for a ferry to the UK or Scandinavia?
Usually not, both are in Europe.
Just check that your Kasko does not exclude transport by ship.
