Who pays if I am injured as a passenger in a robotaxi?
In short
If you are injured as a passenger in a robotaxi in Germany, the keeper (Halter) is liable to you even without fault (section 7 StVG). The keeper's motor liability insurance pays, with an autonomous driving function up to EUR 10 million for injuries (section 12 StVG). On a paid ride this cannot be excluded (section 8a StVG). As of October 2026 robotaxis only run in tests with a safety driver.
Accident insurance, adult manual worker, same benefits
about EUR 120 to 260 a year
Accident insurance for a child
about EUR 50 to 100 a year
Guide values as of July 2026.
Your premium depends on occupation, age and benefits.
Norman Nammert can obtain a quote as an insurance broker.
Worked example
Emergency stop in a robotaxi, passenger injured
Assumed amounts: the robotaxi brakes hard because of a system fault and a passenger breaks a wrist.
Treatment and physiotherapy
EUR 4,000, paid by the keeper's motor liability insurance
Lost earnings for six weeks
EUR 2,500, paid by the keeper's motor liability insurance
Pain and suffering
case by case, paid by the keeper's motor liability insurance
Slight lasting impairment, own accident insurance
disability benefit on top, as per policy
The keeper's motor liability insurance pays the loss without you proving fault. Your accident insurance pays on top.
Your claim as an injured robotaxi passenger
Under German law a robotaxi is a motor vehicle like any other. If someone is injured while it is in operation, the keeper is liable under section 7 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) without you having to prove a mistake. Section 8 StVG has no exception for passengers.
The keeper must have motor liability insurance for the robotaxi (section 1 PflVG). Under section 115 of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG) you can claim directly from that insurer. Medical costs, lost earnings, extra needs and, under section 11 StVG, compensation for pain and suffering (Schmerzensgeld) are covered.
Party
Role in the robotaxi
What it means for you
Keeper, usually the operator
liable without fault
your first point of contact
Keeper's motor liability insurer
pays for the keeper
direct claim under section 115 VVG
Technical supervisor (Technische Aufsicht)
monitors remotely, can stop the vehicle
not a separate payer for you
Manufacturer
liable for a product defect
recourse usually taken by the insurer
No driver, but not without supervision
A robotaxi without a driver falls under the rules on autonomous driving functions in sections 1d to 1f StVG. It may only drive in an approved operating area, and a technical supervisor must be able to switch it off remotely or approve manoeuvres.
If the robotaxi stops, the technical supervisor must contact the passengers without delay under section 1f StVG. The keeper must ensure maintenance. Breaches of these duties do not change the keeper's liability towards you.
Paid ride or free test ride
For paid, commercial passenger transport, section 8a StVG forbids the keeper to exclude or limit liability for injured passengers. A clause in a robotaxi service's terms that says otherwise has no effect to that extent.
Many robotaxi test rides are free. By its wording this ban does not apply to them. Before a free test ride, read the terms of use for clauses on liability.
How much is paid at most
If the operation of an autonomous driving function causes the accident, section 12 StVG caps the keeper's liability for all injured persons together at EUR 10 million instead of the usual 5 million. On paid trips with more than eight passengers the cap rises by EUR 600,000 for each further injured passenger.
Wider claims under other laws, for example for fault, remain unaffected under section 16 StVG.
Where robotaxis run in Germany, October 2026
There is no regular robotaxi service in Germany yet, and every test vehicle has a safety driver. In Hamburg, registered passengers have been able to ride free since 15 July 2026 in up to ten self driving minibuses in parts of Winterhude, Barmbek and Wandsbek.
Another provider has been mapping streets in Munich since August 2026 and plans a commercial start at the end of 2027. It had no permit for driverless operation by October 2026.
What your own insurance pays
Private accident insurance (private Unfallversicherung) pays for lasting harm after a robotaxi accident regardless of fault and on top of the keeper's compensation. It matters most for people with no cover in their free time.
Statutory accident insurance only protects you in a robotaxi on the direct way to and from work (section 8(2) no. 1 SGB VII), not on a private trip.
Step by step
After a robotaxi accident use the emergency button or contact the technical supervisor.
Have your injuries recorded by a doctor, even minor ones.
Note the operator's name, number plate, time and place.
Make your claim in writing to the keeper or directly to their motor liability insurer.
If there are lasting effects, also inform your own accident insurer.
Checklist
Robotaxi booking confirmation kept
Number plate and operator noted
Doctor's report with the date of the ride
Receipts for lost earnings and costs
Terms of use read before free test rides
Common mistakes
Accepting a voucher from the operator before the consequences are clear
Thinking that nobody is liable without a driver
Reporting the accident only in the app without keeping a copy
Missing the deadline of your own accident insurance for disability
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
What should I do if I am injured in a robotaxi?
Get help through the technical supervisor,
have the injury documented and make your claim to the keeper or their motor liability insurer.
Do I have to prove the robotaxi made a mistake?
No.
The keeper is liable under section 7 StVG without fault.
Liability only ends in case of force majeure (höhere Gewalt).
Does the manufacturer pay too?
For a product defect the manufacturer is also liable.
For you, the route via the keeper's motor liability insurance is usually easier.
Does this also apply on a free test ride?
Keeper liability under section 7 StVG applies then too.
But section 8a StVG only forbids excluding it on paid rides.
What about my luggage?
Items you carry with you are protected under section 8 StVG.
Goods sent as freight are not.
Who pays if no robotaxi company can be identified?
Every robotaxi has a number plate, and the keeper behind it must be insured.
Note the plate and the police can identify the keeper.
