Car Insurance in Germany: What You Need to Know Before Hitting the Road

MyGermanCar

26 September 2025

03 min read


If you’re registering a car in Germany through MyGermanCar, one of the key steps is getting insurance. The good news? Our broker, AXA, makes it simple to choose the right type of coverage. But before you decide, it’s important to understand the three main types of car insurance available in Germany: liability, partial coverage, and full coverage.

Here’s a breakdown of what each covers (and doesn’t cover), with examples to make it crystal clear.

1. Liability Insurance (Haftpflicht) – Mandatory in Germany

In Germany, liability insurance isn’t optional – it’s the law. Without it, you can’t even register your car.

What it covers:

  • Damage you cause to other people’s cars, property, or health.
  • Financial losses caused by an accident.

Example: You accidentally rear-end another car in traffic. Liability insurance pays for the repair of their car and any medical costs for the driver or passengers.

What it doesn’t cover:

  • Damage to your own car.

👉 In short: liability protects everyone else – but not you. That’s why many drivers add extra coverage.

2. Partial Coverage (Teilkasko) – Optional Add-On

Partial coverage builds on liability by protecting your own car against certain types of damage – usually things outside your control.

What it covers:

  • Theft
  • Broken glass (like a stone cracking your windshield)
  • Collisions with animals
  • Fire and explosion
  • Storms, hail, lightning, or flooding

What it doesn’t cover:

  • Accidents you caused yourself
  • Vandalism

When to consider it: Teilkasko is often chosen for older cars where full coverage may not be cost-effective, but you still want protection from risks like theft or weather damage.

3. Full Coverage (Vollkasko) – The Most Comprehensive Option

Full coverage includes everything from liability and partial coverage, plus an extra layer of protection.

What it covers (in addition):

  • Damage to your own car from accidents you caused
  • Vandalism (like if someone deliberately scratches your paintwork)

Why it’s useful: For newer or more valuable cars, repairs can be expensive. Vollkasko ensures that even if the accident was your fault, you’re still protected.

How Insurance Works With MyGermanCar

Because all cars are registered in our company’s name, the insurance policies are also taken out in our name. This means:

  • We arrange the insurance directly with AXA on your behalf.
  • You don’t pay any markup – we simply pass on the exact cost of the insurance to you.
  • We’re your claims partner – in the event of an accident or damage, we liaise with the insurance company for you, removing the stress and hassle from the process.

Choosing the Right Insurance

At MyGermanCar, we make sure you get exactly the coverage you need. Whether you want just the legally required liability or the peace of mind of full coverage, we’ll handle everything from setup to claims, so you can enjoy your German-plated car with total confidence.

Quick recap:

  • Liability (Haftpflicht) → Mandatory. Covers damage you cause to others.
  • Partial (Teilkasko) → Optional. Covers theft, glass, animal collisions, and natural events.
  • Full (Vollkasko) → Optional. Covers everything above + your own accident damage + vandalism.

With our support, you’ll be insured, registered, and ready to enjoy the freedom of driving – worry-free.

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