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When can I cancel my car insurance in Germany?

In short

For most German car insurance policies your cancellation must reach the insurer by 30 November, and the contract then ends on 1 January. If the insurer raises your premium, you may cancel within one month of receiving the notice, which often still works in December. Insurance cannot lapse while the car is registered.

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When can I cancel my car insurance in Germany?

What it costs

These average premiums as of 2026 show what a switch can be worth.

Example	Typical range
Liability only, average	about EUR 256 to 290 a year
With partial cover (Teilkasko), average	about EUR 450 a year
With comprehensive cover (Vollkasko), average	about EUR 590 a year

Guide values as of September 2026 from publicly quoted averages. How much you save depends on your policy; we obtain the exact quote for you.

Worked example

Bill with a price rise arrives on 20 November

This is how long you have for the special cancellation.

Bill received	20 November
Notice period	one month
Cancellation must arrive by	20 December

You can still switch after 30 November if your premium has gone up.

The 30 November deadline

Most car policies (Kfz-Versicherung) run by calendar year. The notice period is one month, so your cancellation must reach the insurer by 30 November.

If your policy year starts on another date, the deadline is one month before that date. You find it on your policy document (Versicherungsschein) as the main due date (Hauptfälligkeit).

Reason	Deadline
End of the policy year	one month before, usually 30 November
Price rise without better cover	one month after receiving the notice
After a claim	one month after the claim is settled
Buyer of a used car	one month after taking over the car
Deregistering the car	the policy is suspended or ends

What is different if you come from abroad

In the UK or US you can often cancel at any time and get a refund for the rest of the term. In Germany the contract normally runs for the whole policy year, and you can only leave at the deadline or with a special right.

If you leave Germany for good, deregister the car at the vehicle registration office (Zulassungsstelle) or sell it. The policy then ends or passes to the buyer. Ask your insurer for a certificate of your claims-free years before you go, it can help with a policy in your next country.

Special cancellation after a price rise

If your premium goes up without any change in cover, you may cancel within one month of receiving the bill. Many bills arrive in November, so a switch is often still possible in December.

Be careful: even if a better no-claims class (Schadenfreiheitsklasse) lowers your premium, the underlying tariff may still have gone up. Compare the tariff premium and the discount.

The right order when you switch

First sign the new policy, starting the day after the old one ends. The new insurer takes over your no-claims class.

Then cancel in writing and ask for confirmation. A gap in liability cover is not allowed, and the registration office is informed if one occurs.

Step by step

Find the main due date on your policy document.
Compare quotes with the same cover.
Sign the new policy with a matching start date.
Cancel the old policy, quoting the policy number and number plate.
Keep the cancellation confirmation.

Checklist

New policy starts without a gap
Correct no-claims class in the new policy
Cancellation quotes number plate and policy number
Receipt confirmed before the deadline

Common mistakes

Sending the cancellation only on 30 November
Cancelling before the new policy is in place
Not checking the special right after a price rise
Assuming you can cancel any month like at home

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Can I cancel my car insurance at any time?

No, only at the end of the policy year or with a special right, for example after a price rise, a claim or a sale.

Is an email enough?

Yes, text form (Textform) is enough. Ask for confirmation of receipt.

Can I write my cancellation in English?

Many insurers accept it, but a short German letter avoids delays. State policy number, number plate and the end date.

What happens to my no-claims class?

You take it with you to the new insurer, which requests the details from the old one.

Do I have to cancel when I sell the car?

No, the policy passes to the buyer, who can cancel within one month.

What if I missed 30 November?

Check your bill: if the premium went up, you have a special right to cancel within one month.

Sources

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