What happens to car insurance when you buy a new car in Germany?
In short
When you buy a new car in Germany, it needs its own car insurance and a new insurance code (eVB-Nummer); the old policy does not carry over by itself. Your no-claims class moves with you, even to another insurer. If no more than six months pass between the old and new policy, you lose nothing. The premium is recalculated for the new car.
Each insurer sets the percentages in its tariff, values as of October 2026.
As a broker we obtain the euro price for your new model from several insurers.
Worked example
Old compact car gone, new estate car arrives
A driver in SF 12 sells her compact car and collects a new estate car from the dealer three weeks later.
Gap between policies
three weeks, so under six months
Class on the new car
SF 12, also with another insurer
Premium
recalculated by type class and value of the estate
Comprehensive with new price compensation
worthwhile for a new car
She keeps SF 12 without loss. Whether she stays with her old insurer depends only on the price for the estate car.
Changing cars: your class moves with you
Buying a new car to replace the old one is called a vehicle change (Fahrzeugwechsel). Under the model terms your claims history is carried over to the new car's policy, even if the old policy was with another insurer. Buying a car is therefore a good moment to compare quotes.
The vehicles must be in the same group, for example car to car. You cannot simply move a car's class to a lorry or taxi.
What happens to the old policy
If you sell the old car while registered, its insurance passes to the buyer under section 95 VVG. Your claim-free years do not go with it; the buyer is rated on their own history. Report the sale at once so the buyer's accidents do not end up on your record.
If you deregister the old car first, a car policy rests free of charge. If you keep it as a second car, the old policy continues and the new car needs an additional one. Then you decide which car gets the good class.
Old car
What happens to its policy
Your no-claims class
sold while registered
passes to the buyer, usually ends at re-registration
moves to the new car
deregistered first
free dormant cover
moves to the new car
kept as second car
continues
stays with the old policy, new car as second car
scrapped
policy ends
moves to the new car
The deadlines when you switch
If no more than six months pass between the end of the old cover and the start of the new one, the insurer carries over your history as if uninterrupted. From six to twelve months you keep your old level; after that years are deducted.
If you stay with the same insurer, the model terms add a relief: if the first premium for the new car is paid late, cover does not lapse at once, as long as the gap is no more than six months.
Why the premium changes
Your class stays, the premium does not. The type class (Typklasse) of the new model, the regional class and, for damage cover, the value are assessed anew. A bigger or more powerful car often costs much more in the same class.
For a brand new car, comprehensive cover with new price compensation (Neupreisentschädigung) makes sense. Under the model terms it pays the new price instead of the current value after a total loss or theft within a period after first registration set in your policy, if you bought the car new. With leasing or finance, GAP cover for the gap to the outstanding debt is worth adding.
When you do not need to switch
If you are happy with your insurer and the price for the new car is fine, one call is enough: the policy is moved to the new car, no cancellation needed. You can often keep your number plate when registering the new car.
Changing insurer when you buy a car is not a special right but a new policy for a new car. The old policy ends through the sale, deregistration or scrapping of the old car.
Step by step
Get quotes for the new car with your no-claims class.
Request the eVB code for registration.
Sell, deregister or keep the old car and tell the insurer.
Register the new car, keeping your plate if you like.
Check the new policy: class, damage cover, new price compensation.
Checklist
No-claims class and proof ready
Gap under six months
Sale of the old car reported at once
Damage cover fitting a new car
GAP cover with leasing or finance
Common mistakes
Assuming the old policy covers the new car automatically
Not reporting the sale of the old car
Letting more than six months pass without cover
Taking only partial cover on a brand new car
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Do I need new insurance for a new car?
You need cover for the new car,
either by moving your existing policy or with a new policy at another insurer.
Do I keep my no-claims class?
Yes, when changing cars within the same vehicle group, also to another insurer.
Can I switch insurer when buying a car?
Yes.
Insure the new car wherever the quote fits and take your class with you.
What happens to the old car's insurance?
On sale it passes to the buyer, on deregistration it rests, on scrapping it ends.
How long may pass between old and new car?
Up to six months without loss.
Up to twelve months your old level stays, after that years are deducted.
Can I keep my number plate?
Usually yes, if you request it when registering the new car.
