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What is the Mallorca-Police and when do you need it?

In short

What is the Mallorca-Police? It is a German add-on that raises the liability cover of a car you rent in Europe to the level of your German motor policy. You need it when you drive a rental car abroad yourself, and when the local cover would pay too little. It is often included in your policy at no extra cost. It never pays for damage to the rental car.

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What is the Mallorca-Police and when do you need it?

What it costs

Publicly quoted costs of the Mallorca-Police, 2026.

Example	Typical range
Already included in many German motor policies	EUR 0 extra
As an add-on to your own motor policy	a few euros a year, about EUR 5 to 20
On its own from a motoring club, without a motor policy	about EUR 20 for four weeks

Guide values as of October 2026 from publicly quoted prices.

The range of EUR 5 to 20 for the add-on is a guide value from our quoting practice, because fixed prices per policy are rarely published.

Whether your policy already includes it, we check in the quote.

Worked example

Rental car accident outside the EU

On holiday you rent a car in a country with low minimum cover and seriously injure a motorcyclist while turning. He needs long treatment and cannot work again.

Rental car liability, injuries	about EUR 272,000
Cost of treatment, lost earnings and pension	assumed EUR 1,000,000
Gap without Mallorca-Police	about EUR 728,000 from your own assets
With Mallorca-Police	difference covered up to the sum of your German policy

Without the Mallorca-Police you pay most of it yourself. With it your German insurer covers the gap, for a few euros a year or at no extra cost.

What gap it closes

A rental car abroad is insured for liability under the law of that country. Minimum sums differ widely. In some countries on the edge of Europe they are far below the German level. If you seriously injure someone there, the rental company's insurance can run out quickly, and you are personally liable for the rest.

The Mallorca-Police pays the difference up to the sum of your German policy. Think of it as a liability layer on top of the rental car's insurance. The name dates from a time when Spain had low minimum sums and Mallorca was the classic holiday rental destination.

Within the EU minimum sums have risen a lot, so the gap is smaller than it used to be. It still matters for very serious injuries and above all in countries outside the EU.

Situation	Does the Mallorca-Police help?
Rental car from a rental company in Mallorca	yes
Motorhome rented in Norway	yes, if your policy includes motorhomes
Rental car in Turkey	depends on the policy, check first
Rental car in the USA or Canada	no, buy extra liability from the rental company
Car borrowed from friends abroad	usually no, only commercial rental companies
Scratches or crash damage to the rental car	no, that is damage cover
Your own German car on holiday	not needed, your policy applies anyway

What it does not pay

The Mallorca-Police is pure liability cover. Dents, scratches, theft or a write off of the rental car are not included. For that you need collision damage cover from the rental company, ideally with no or a small excess.

It only applies to cars from commercial rental companies. A friend's car, private car sharing or a swap between friends is excluded in many policies. Outside Europe it does not apply at all.

When you do not need it

If you drive your own German registered car in Europe, you do not need it. Your German liability cover applies there with its full sums.

If it is already part of your motor policy, you do not need a second one. Many policies include it. Your policy document (Versicherungsschein) or a quick question to your insurer settles this. And if you do not drive on holiday, you do not need it either.

Without a car of your own

Many expats in Germany do not own a car and so have no motor policy. You can still buy the Mallorca-Police on its own, for example for the length of a trip. Motoring clubs and travel insurers offer it. Some personal liability policies (Privathaftpflicht) include it too.

Some tour operators and rental companies bundle liability at German level. Check the actual sum insured instead of relying on words like full cover.

Who may drive and your no-claims class

Depending on the policy, cover applies to you as policyholder, your partner and family members. Whoever drives should also be named in the rental agreement.

An accident in a rental car usually does not affect your no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse), because your own car is not involved. Your policy terms say how your insurer handles it.

Step by step

Check your policy document to see whether the Mallorca-Police is included.
Check that your destination and vehicle type, such as motorhome or motorcycle, are covered.
Without your own car, buy it on its own before the trip.
Choose damage cover with a small excess at the rental company.
Have every driver named in the rental agreement.
Outside Europe, buy higher liability directly from the rental company.

Checklist

Mallorca-Police in your motor policy or bought separately
Destination within the territory, Turkey explicitly checked
Rental car from a commercial rental company
Damage cover for the rental car itself booked
All drivers named in the rental agreement
Claims phone number saved on your phone

Common mistakes

Mistaking the Mallorca-Police for damage cover and skimping on the rental car
Buying it twice although the motor policy already includes it
Relying on it in the USA, where it does not apply
Driving a friend's car abroad and expecting cover

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Does the Mallorca-Police only apply in Mallorca?

No. It usually applies across Europe and in EU territories outside Europe, such as the Canary Islands. The name comes from the time when Mallorca was the classic rental car destination.

Do I need it with my own car?

No. With your own German registered car your German liability cover applies in Europe with its full sums.

Does it pay for damage to the rental car?

No. It only covers damage you cause to others. For the rental car itself you need damage cover from the rental company.

Does it apply in the USA?

No. Outside Europe you buy higher liability cover directly from the rental company.

Will a rental car accident cost me my no-claims class?

Usually not, because your own car is not involved. Check the rule in your policy terms.

Can I buy it without owning a car?

Yes, on its own for a trip, for example from a motoring club. About EUR 20 for four weeks is a usual price.

Sources

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