Yes. You can switch your insurance broker in Germany at any time, without giving a reason and for 0 euros. Your policies stay with the insurer, premium and cover do not change. You sign a broker mandate (Maklervollmacht) with the new broker, revoke the old one and end the old broker contract. The commission usually moves to the new broker from the next renewal date.
What switching your insurance broker in Germany costs, and how the broker is paid.
Example
Typical range
Switching insurance broker
0 euros fee, premium unchanged
Contents insurance with a net premium of 100 euros a year
about 15 to 25 euros commission inside the premium, only the recipient changes
Car insurance with a net premium of 500 euros a year
about 25 to 50 euros commission inside the premium
Gift allowed from the new broker
no more than 15 euros per contract and calendar year
Commission rates are published market ranges (guide values), not statutory rates;
the source is itself a broker.
As of October 2026.
Worked example
Freelancer in Berlin switches broker with five policies
Professional liability, personal liability, contents, disability and car insurance run through a broker who has not been in touch for three years. Main renewal date is 1 January, the switch happens in August.
New broker mandate
signed in August
Letter to the old broker
revocation and termination on the same day
Cost to the client
0 euros
Commission to the new broker
usually from 1 January
All five policies continue without a gap. The new broker reviews them and only suggests changes where they pay off.
What happens to your policies when you switch broker
Changing your insurance broker in Germany does not change your insurance. Same insurer, same premium, same terms, same policy number. The insurer simply records a different broker as the person looking after the contract.
Whether a policy is later changed or replaced is a separate decision. A good new broker reviews your contracts first and only suggests changes that clearly help you, for example better cover for the same price.
How the switch works step by step
You sign a broker mandate and a broker contract with the new broker, who then contacts your insurers. You write to the old broker that you revoke the mandate and end the broker contract.
Important: appointing a second broker does not automatically end the first broker contract. Without your own termination, two brokers may be registered, which causes confusion over letters and questions.
Step
Who
When
Mandate and contract with the new broker
you
right away
Notice to the insurers
new broker
after signing
Revocation and termination with the old broker
you
at the same time
Insurer updates the broker on file
insurer
usually within a few weeks
Commission moves over
insurer and brokers
usually at the next renewal date
Who gets the commission after the switch
Brokers in Germany are paid by commission (Courtage) that is built into your premium. Under the industry's customs (Maklerusancen) it passes to the broker with the newer mandate. The insurer pays it only once, so switching does not make your insurance more expensive.
For one year contracts the new broker usually receives the commission from the next main renewal date if the switch was reported before the cancellation deadline. For multi year property contracts the old and new broker often share it until then. This is settled between brokers and insurer; you never pay anything extra.
When switching makes sense and when it does not
Switching your insurance broker makes sense if nobody has reviewed your policies for years, questions stay unanswered, or your situation has changed and your broker lacks the expertise, for example after becoming self employed, buying a home or a boat.
It is not needed if you only want to change one contract; your current broker can do that. And if you have an open claim, wait until it is settled so that no documents get lost between two brokers.
Limits to keep in mind
Not every insurer works with every broker. In that case the new broker may only be able to look after a particular policy to a limited extent. Ask before you switch whether the new broker has a working relationship with your insurers.
If a broker promises you money or vouchers for switching: anything above 15 euros per contract and year is a prohibited special benefit under German law (section 48b VAG).
Step by step
List all policies with insurer and policy number.
Choose a new broker and check the German register of intermediaries (vermittlerregister.info).
Sign the broker mandate and contract, limited to certain policies if you like.
Write to the old broker revoking the mandate and ending the broker contract.
After a few weeks, ask the insurer whether the new broker is on file.
Checklist
No open claim during the switch
New broker licensed under section 34d(1) GewO and listed in the register
Old broker contract expressly terminated
Old mandate revoked
Policies themselves not cancelled
Documents and advice records requested from the old broker
Common mistakes
Cancelling policies to get rid of the broker and losing cover or good old terms
Hiring the new broker without ending the old broker contract
Switching in the middle of an open claim
Being tempted by a switching bonus that German law does not allow
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Can I move just one policy to the new broker?
Yes.
You can move individual policies and leave others with your current broker.
Do I have to tell the old broker why?
No.
The broker contract can be ended without notice and without reasons unless a notice period was
individually agreed.
Will my premium go up?
No.
The premium is set in the insurance contract;
the commission inside it is simply paid to a different broker.
What if my insurer does not work with the new broker?
Then the new broker may only be able to help in a limited way with that policy.
Clarify it beforehand; if needed, that one policy stays with the old broker or with you.
How do I check that a broker is licensed?
In the German register of intermediaries at vermittlerregister.info,
which shows the type of licence and registration number.
