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What is foreign claims cover (Auslandsschadenschutz)?

In short

Foreign claims cover (Auslandsschadenschutz) is an add-on to German car insurance for accidents elsewhere in Europe that are the other driver's fault. Your own insurer then pays your loss by German standards, including pain and suffering and loss of value, and recovers the money from the other side. It costs about EUR 10 to 30 a year and is often included in better policies.

What is foreign claims cover (Auslandsschadenschutz)?

What it costs

What foreign claims cover costs in Germany.

ExampleTypical range
Add-on to car liability insuranceabout EUR 10 to 30 a year
More expensive single offersup to about EUR 50 a year
Comfort and premium tariffsoften included, EUR 0

As of October 2026, from published guide information.

We can check whether your policy already includes it; we obtain the exact quote for you.

Worked example

Not at fault accident in Serbia

A lorry hits your car from behind and you are injured. Repairs EUR 9,000, loss of value EUR 1,500, plus rental car and pain and suffering.

Without foreign claims coversettled under Serbian law and standards, in Serbian
With foreign claims coveryour own insurer settles by German standards
Premium for itabout EUR 10 to 30 a year

You only deal with your own insurer and are paid by the standards you know from home.

What foreign claims cover is for

If you are hit abroad through no fault of your own, the other driver's liability insurer pays under the law and limits of that country. In many countries compensation for pain and suffering, rental cars or loss of value is lower than in Germany, and statutory minimum cover is lower too.

Foreign claims cover closes that gap. You report the claim to your own German insurer, which treats you as if the other driver had German liability insurance and then deals with the foreign insurer itself.

How low foreign minimum cover can be

German car liability policies must provide at least EUR 7.5 million for personal injury. Elsewhere the statutory minimum can be far lower, which may not be enough after a serious accident.

CountryStatutory minimum according to source
MaltaEUR 2.5 million injury, EUR 500,000 property
SerbiaEUR 1 million injury, EUR 200,000 property
MoldovaEUR 260,000 injury, EUR 51,900 property
UkraineEUR 4,000 per injured person, EUR 2,000 property per person

What it does not cover

It only helps if the other driver is at fault. If you caused the accident, only your comprehensive cover (Vollkasko) pays for your car. It applies to your own vehicle, not a holiday rental car, and usually only in Europe for stays of up to twelve weeks. If you live abroad, it does not protect you.

Because it only applies when someone else is at fault, using it does not cost you your no claims class.

When you do not need it

If you never drive your own car abroad, or only fly and rent a car, foreign claims cover is useless to you. For rental cars, the Mallorca-Police tops up the rental car's liability limit to German levels. For cross border commuters and holidaymakers with their own car or motorhome, it is one of the cheapest useful add-ons.

Step by step

  1. Check your policy documents for Auslandsschadenschutz.
  2. Check the territory and maximum trip length.
  3. If missing, add it before the trip.
  4. After an accident, fill in the European accident report and take photos.
  5. Report the claim to your own insurer straight away.

Checklist

  • Add-on included or booked
  • Trip shorter than the maximum length
  • European accident report in the car
  • Your insurer's contact details at hand
  • Mallorca-Police checked for rental cars

Common mistakes

  • Confusing it with the Mallorca-Police
  • Expecting it to pay when you caused the accident
  • Relying on it during a long stay abroad

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Is foreign claims cover compulsory?

No, it is an optional add-on.

Does it apply in Turkey?

That depends on your policy's territory, usually Europe.

Check the country list in your terms.

Will I lose my no claims class?

No, because it only applies when the other driver caused the accident.

Are passengers covered?

Usually yes, injuries of occupants are covered too.

Do I need it for a rental car?

No, the Mallorca-Police is meant for rental cars.

Sources

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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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