What insurance do I need for my first car in Germany?
In short
What insurance do I need for my first car in Germany? Only motor liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflicht) is compulsory; without it you cannot register the car. On their own policy 18 year olds pay on average about EUR 1,150 to 1,650 a year. Partial cover suits a car of medium value, full cover a new or financed one. Insured as a parent's second car, your first car often starts around 30 percent cheaper.
Published premiums for a first car, German market.
Example
Typical range
Age 18, own policy, without accompanied driving
on average about EUR 1,510 to 1,630 a year
Age 18, own policy, with accompanied driving
on average about EUR 1,150 to 1,520 a year
Age 19, small car as second car, SF 1/2
about EUR 550 to 700 a year
Age 18, used car, own policy in SF 0
about EUR 1,100 to 1,500 a year
Figures from published tariff examples, October 2026.
Your premium depends on model, address and cover; we obtain the exact quote.
Worked example
Age 19, used small car worth EUR 6,000, licence held for one year
This is how the premium for a first car differs by route.
Own policy in SF 0, liability and partial cover
about EUR 1,100 to 1,500 a year
As a parent's second car in SF 1/2
about EUR 550 to 700 a year
Adding full cover
usually not worth it for a EUR 6,000 car
As a parent's second car the new driver saves about EUR 500 to 800 a year.
What is compulsory for your first car
Only one insurance is compulsory for your first car in Germany: motor liability (Kfz-Haftpflicht). It pays for damage you cause to others with the car. Without it the car cannot be registered, and driving an uninsured vehicle is prohibited. For registration you need the electronic insurance confirmation, the eVB number, from your insurer.
By law liability cover must be at least EUR 7.5 million for personal injury. Good policies offer EUR 100 million flat; the extra cost is small, the gap after a serious accident is not.
Cover
Compulsory?
When useful
Motor liability
yes
always, with high cover
Partial cover
no
car of medium value, theft and wildlife
Full cover
no
new car, finance or leasing
Breakdown cover (Schutzbrief)
no
if you are not in an automobile club
Driver protection (Fahrerschutz)
no
if you have no accident insurance
Partial or full cover for your first car
Partial cover pays for damage you did not cause: theft, broken glass, storm, hail, fire and collisions with game animals. Full cover also pays for damage to your own car that you cause yourself, and vandalism.
Many new drivers buy a used car of low value. Then liability alone, perhaps with partial cover, is often enough. If your first car is financed or leased, the lender usually requires full cover; then GAP cover is worth a look too.
What your first car costs to insure
Without a no claims record you start in class SF 0 or a special starter class. On their own policy 18 year olds pay on average about EUR 1,150 to 1,650 a year, with accompanied driving from 17 nearer the lower end. The model's type class (Typklasse) and your region also matter.
If the car is insured as a parent's second car, the policy usually starts in SF 1/2, about 30 percent cheaper. You must then be named as a driver. Choosing a model with a low type class and accepting telematics saves more.
Taking over a family no claims discount
If parents or grandparents give up their car, they can transfer their no claims class. You can take over at most as many years as you have held your licence. The person giving it up loses those years.
This makes sense when someone in the family really stops driving. Otherwise the second car route is usually better for your first car.
What you do not need
Passenger accident cover is mostly unnecessary if you have private accident insurance. Breakdown cover is not needed if you belong to an automobile club. Full cover on an old car worth a few thousand euros often costs more than it pays.
Norman Nammert works as an insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler) and compares liability, partial and full cover and the parental route for your first car. The insurer pays the commission, so the comparison is free for you.
Step by step
Decide on liability, partial or full cover based on value and finance.
Check whether your parents can insure the car as a second car.
Compare type classes before buying.
Get quotes with EUR 100 million cover.
Request the eVB number and register the car.
Name every driver correctly in the policy.
Checklist
Motor liability with high cover
Own damage cover matching the car's value
All drivers named
Affordable excess
Breakdown cover only without a club
eVB number for registration
Common mistakes
Insuring via the parents without naming the young driver
Choosing only the legal minimum cover
Paying for full cover on an old car
Buying a high type class model without checking the premium
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Which insurance is compulsory for my first car?
Only motor liability.
Without it the car cannot be registered.
Do I need full cover?
For a new, valuable or financed car yes, for an old used one usually not.
What does insurance cost at 18?
On your own policy on average about EUR 1,150 to 1,650 a year.
Can my parents insure my car?
Yes, as a second car.
You must be named as a driver.
Can I take over my grandmother's no claims discount?
Yes, if she gives up her car; at most as many years as you have held your licence.
