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What is a special no claims classification in German car insurance?

In short

What is a special no claims classification (Sondereinstufung) in German car insurance? A start in a better no claims class (SF-Klasse) without having driven the claim free years yourself, such as SF 1/2 instead of SF 0 after three years of licence, or SF 1 or better for a second car. For a VW Golf, liability drops roughly from 690 to 420 euros. When you switch insurer, often only your real claims history counts.

What is a special no claims classification in German car insurance?

What it costs

Published premiums for a VW Golf, 2026.

ExampleTypical range
VW Golf, liability, SF 0about 690 euros a year
VW Golf, liability, SF 1/2about 420 euros a year
VW Golf, liability, SF 1 to 3about 210 to 300 euros a year
VW Golf, comprehensive, SF 0 versus SF 1/2about 1,150 versus 700 euros a year

Example premiums from published calculations, 2026.

Classification rules come from the non binding GDV model terms; each insurer may deviate.

We obtain your exact quote.

Worked example

Second car in SF 4 with the old insurer

A couple has driven their second car claim free for two years. It started in SF 2 thanks to a special class and is now in SF 4. They switch insurer.

Real historytwo claim free years
Confirmed under model termsSF 1 as base plus two years, about SF 3
Strict reading without second car ruleSF 2
Golf liability, SF 4 versus SF 2roughly 30 to 60 euros a year

Switching pays only if the new base price makes up for that. Guide values from quoting practice; the new insurer tells you the real class.

Which special classifications exist

Without history, a car starts in SF 0. The non binding model terms of the German insurers' association (GDV) allow exceptions: SF 1/2 if you have held a licence for at least three years, and SF 1 for a second car if you or your partner already have a car in at least SF 1.

Many insurers go further and give second cars SF 2, SF 3 or more, sometimes only if all drivers are above a minimum age. This special no claims classification is the individual insurer's tariff rule.

CaseModel termsOften offered
First car, licence under three yearsSF 0SF 0
First car, licence three years or moreSF 1/2SF 1/2
Second car, first car at least SF 1SF 1SF 1 to SF 4 or better
Second car, only drivers above a minimum ageSF 3 as an optionby tariff

What happens when you switch insurer

When you switch, the new insurer asks the old one for your claims history. Under the model terms that information covers only the real history. Special classes are not reported, except SF 1/2 for the licence and SF 1 for second cars.

So a second car in SF 5 with the old insurer may land in a clearly worse class with the new one. Some insurers still accept the old class, but they do not have to.

When the special class can be lost

If the special classification depends on conditions such as a minimum driver age, it ends when that changes. If your 19 year old child starts driving the second car, the insurer moves you to the class that would have applied without the special rule.

Before deregistering your first car or passing its class to a child, ask what happens to the second car's special classification.

Is it a reason to stay?

Not by itself. Compare the new premium using the class the new insurer really gives you. Sometimes a lower base price makes up for the worse class, sometimes not.

Ask for the classification of each car in writing before you switch.

Step by step

  1. Check your premium notice for a special classification.
  2. Ask the new insurer in writing for its classification.
  3. Compare with the new class, not the old one.
  4. Check who drives the car if the tariff has age rules.
  5. Clarify effects on the second car before giving up the first.

Checklist

  • Reason for your class known
  • Drivers match tariff conditions
  • New classification in writing
  • First car stays in the required class
  • Premiums compared in euros

Common mistakes

  • Calculating a switch with the old SF class
  • Hiding a young driver to keep the special class
  • Deregistering the first car without thinking of the second

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Does a special class move with me?

Under the model terms only the real history is reported,

special classes other than SF 1/2 and SF 1 for second cars are not.

The new insurer decides whether to accept more.

Can I pass a special class to my child?

Only a real claims history can be passed on,

and at most as many years as the child has held a licence.

Does it apply to comprehensive cover?

Your tariff decides.

Comprehensive (Vollkasko) has its own SF class, partial cover (Teilkasko) has none.

Is it set by law?

No.

It is part of each insurer's tariff rules, often based on the model terms.

Does my foreign no claims record count?

Some insurers accept proof of claim free years from abroad.

Ask before you sign.

Sources

NAMMERT insurance broker

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Related questions

Your broker: Norman Nammert, trading as NAMMERT.

Insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act.

Broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37.

NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH is a separate company.

It does not arrange your contract.

Statutory disclosure (German) · Updated

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