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Can I use my no-claims bonus from abroad in Germany?
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What is the difference between Teilkasko and Vollkasko?
In short
Teilkasko (partial cover) pays for damage you did not cause yourself: theft, storm, hail, fire, broken glass and collisions with wild animals. Vollkasko (comprehensive cover) also pays for damage to your own car that you caused, and for vandalism. It usually costs a few hundred euros more a year. Both come on top of the mandatory third party liability.
What it costs
Average yearly premiums from published analyses, including liability.
| Example | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Liability only | about EUR 250 to 500 a year |
| Liability with Teilkasko | about EUR 350 to 700 a year |
| Liability with Vollkasko | about EUR 600 to 1,500 a year |
| Average for full Vollkasko package | around EUR 570 a year |
Guide values as of September 2026. The car's type class, your regional class and your no-claims class shift the premium strongly; we obtain the exact quote for you.
Worked example
Three-year-old compact car worth EUR 18,000
The extra cost of Vollkasko compared with the risk you would otherwise carry.
| Liability with Teilkasko | about EUR 450 |
| Liability with Vollkasko | about EUR 700 |
| Extra cost of Vollkasko | about EUR 250 a year |
With Teilkasko only, an accident you cause with EUR 5,000 damage to your own car is entirely your cost. Worked example with guide values.
What each type of cover pays
Both are voluntary and are added to the compulsory part, third party liability (Kfz-Haftpflicht). Liability only pays for damage you cause to others. Your own car is not insured by it.
| Damage | Teilkasko | Vollkasko |
|---|---|---|
| Car stolen | yes | yes |
| Storm, hail, flooding | yes | yes |
| Stone chip in the windscreen | yes | yes |
| Collision with a deer or boar | yes | yes |
| Accident you caused | no | yes |
| Scratches by unknown people | no | yes |
| Other driver drives off after a crash | no | yes |
What is different if you come from abroad
In the UK, comprehensive cover includes third party liability in one product. In Germany you always have liability, and Teilkasko or Vollkasko is an optional add-on to it. Marten bites are included because these animals like to chew cables in parked cars, a common claim in Germany.
Your premium depends heavily on your no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse). Some insurers credit years without claims from abroad if you bring a written confirmation from your previous insurer, others start you as a new driver, which is expensive. To register a car you need an electronic insurance confirmation (eVB number) from your insurer. Most car policies run to 31 December and can be cancelled with one month's notice.
The catch with downgrading
A Teilkasko claim only costs you your deductible. A Vollkasko claim downgrades your no-claims class, and your premium rises for several years.
Many drivers therefore pay small Vollkasko damage themselves. Before you report a claim, work out what the downgrade will cost you over the next few years.
Which cover suits which car
For new, financed or leased cars Vollkasko is the norm, and the bank or leasing company often requires it. For older cars with a low value Teilkasko is usually enough.
If your car is only worth a few thousand euros, liability alone is often sufficient. You then carry the risk of theft and hail yourself.
Step by step
- Find out what your car is worth today.
- Ask yourself whether you could pay for a write-off yourself.
- Check your finance or leasing contract: is Vollkasko required?
- Compare the deductible for both options.
- Ask for your no-claims record from your previous insurer, also from abroad.
- Get quotes with the same level of cover.
Checklist
- Collisions with all animals, not only game such as deer
- Marten bites including follow-up damage
- Gross negligence covered
- New value or purchase price refund for young cars
- Deductible that fits your budget
Common mistakes
- Believing liability pays for damage to your own car
- Keeping Vollkasko on a car with little value left
- Reporting small Vollkasko claims and overlooking the downgrade
- Not asking for a no-claims confirmation before leaving your old insurer abroad
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does Teilkasko pay for a parking dent?
No. If the person who caused it stays unknown, only Vollkasko pays.
Is Teilkasko included in Vollkasko?
Yes. Vollkasko includes everything Teilkasko covers.
When should I switch to Teilkasko?
Often when the car is five to eight years old, or when the extra cost is a large part of its remaining value.
Does Teilkasko pay for hail damage?
Yes, storm and hail are part of Teilkasko.
Can I use my no-claims years from another country?
Some insurers accept them with a written confirmation from your former insurer, others do not. It is worth asking before you sign.
Sources
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