Am I insured if I rent out my motorhome privately in Germany?
In short
Usually not with your normal policy. If you rent out your motorhome privately for money in Germany, standard motor liability, comprehensive cover and breakdown cover usually exclude it. You are insured through a rental platform's package, about EUR 25 per rental day paid by the renter, or through your own rental policy, which costs at least about EUR 1,200 a year with comprehensive cover.
Published figures for insurance when renting out a motorhome privately in Germany.
Example
Typical range
Platform package with comprehensive, partial and liability cover plus breakdown assistance, motorhome
about EUR 25 per rental day
Platform package, caravan
about EUR 15 per rental day
Own comprehensive cover for renting without a platform
from about EUR 1,200 a year
Renter's excess, platform, German registration
EUR 500 to 2,000 depending on package
Usual daily rent for a motorhome
about EUR 100 to 180
Guide values as of October 2026 from figures published by platforms and specialist media.
Prices depend on the vehicle's value and the provider.
Worked example
Couple rents out their motorhome for 30 days in summer
The motorhome is privately registered, bought for EUR 70,000 and rented out through a platform with an insurance package.
Rental income, 30 days at EUR 120
EUR 3,600
Insurance package, 30 days at EUR 25
EUR 750, paid by the renter on top
Own motor insurance during that time
suspended, no-claims class kept
Damage caused by the renter, excess
paid by the renter up to the limit
With the platform package the motorhome is insured while rented, and the couple's own policy is not touched. Platform fees and tax come on top.
Why your own motor insurance does not help when you rent out
Liability and comprehensive policies (Kfz-Haftpflicht and Kasko) for private motorhomes usually exclude renting out for money. Without the right registration and policy, the renter has no insurance cover, and damage to your motorhome is left with you or the renter.
The exclusion also hits breakdown cover (Schutzbrief): towing or transport home after a breakdown during the rental is then not insured. Lending your motorhome to friends for free is usually covered if the driver group in your policy fits.
Option 1: the rental platform's insurance package
Motorhome rental platforms work with an insurer. Each booking gets its own package with liability, comprehensive and partial cover and Europe wide breakdown assistance. Your own motor insurance is suspended for that time and your no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse) is not affected.
The conditions are strict: the motorhome must be registered to a private person, have its own liability policy and stay below a purchase price limit, with one provider EUR 100,000. The renter's excess for a German registered vehicle is EUR 500 to 2,000 depending on the package.
Option
Cost
Suitable for
Platform package per booking
about EUR 25 a day, paid by the renter
occasional private renting
Own rental policy
comprehensive from about EUR 1,200 a year
regular renting without a platform
Private motor insurance only
no extra cost
lending for free only
Option 2: renting out yourself with a rental policy
If you rent out your motorhome privately without a platform, you need insurance that explicitly includes renting. The vehicle is then registered as a self-drive rental vehicle (Selbstfahrervermietfahrzeug). Registration is rarely a problem, insurance is: many insurers turn down private landlords or charge much more.
Expect at least about EUR 1,200 a year for comprehensive cover. That only pays off if your motorhome is rented out for many weeks a year and you handle contract, handover and deposit yourself.
Tax and trade registration when renting out a motorhome
Rental income from your motorhome is taxable income. If your annual profit after costs exceeds the exemption limit (Freigrenze) of EUR 256, the whole amount becomes taxable. Regular renting with your own rental policy may also require a trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung).
Ask your tax adviser before the first renter drives off. Costs for insurance, cleaning and repairs reduce your profit.
Step by step
Read your motor policy terms to see whether renting out is excluded.
Decide: occasionally via a platform or regularly with your own rental policy.
Check the platform's conditions: registration, weight, purchase price.
Prepare a rental contract, handover report with photos and a deposit.
Record your income and clarify tax with an adviser.
Checklist
Liability, comprehensive and breakdown cover in place for the rental
Renter's excess stated in the rental contract
Driving licence of renter and extra drivers checked
Handover report with photos and mileage
Deposit of about EUR 1,000 to 1,500 agreed
Common mistakes
Renting out for money and relying on your own motor insurance
Not adding extra drivers to the contract
Leaving rental income out of your tax return
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Am I insured if I lend my motorhome to friends?
Lending for free is usually fine if your policy has no narrow driver group.
As soon as money changes hands, it counts as renting out.
What happens to my no-claims class?
With a platform package your own policy is suspended, so a claim does not affect your class.
Do I need a special registration?
For your own rental policy the vehicle is registered as a self-drive rental vehicle.
Platform packages, on the other hand, require a private registration.
Who pays the insurance with a platform package?
Usually the renter; the amount is added to the daily price.
Is my equipment covered?
Fixed fittings belong to the comprehensive cover.
For crockery, bikes and camping furniture ask the provider, as limits often apply.
