Auto & Mobility
Car Insurance (Comprehensive Cover)
from when does partial insurance apply to a car
Third-party fire and theft insurance for cars: When is the cover truly worthwhile for you?
The question of when a partial coverage makes sense for a car concerns many vehicle owners. Is your car still new enough for comprehensive insurance, or is the basic liability coverage sufficient? This article examines when partial coverage pays off for you and how you can optimally secure your vehicle.
The topic in brief and concise terms
A third party, fire and theft insurance is often advisable for cars that are between five and seven years old and have a value of over 4,000 euros.
It covers damage caused by theft, fire, glass breakage, wildlife accidents, and certain natural events, but not self-inflicted accidents or vandalism.
The costs depend on factors such as the type of vehicle, regional class, and deductible; there is no downgrade in the event of a claim.
Quick Facts: Teilkasko at a Glance
The partial liability insurance is an optional addition to the motor vehicle liability insurance. It covers damages to your own vehicle caused by external factors for which you, as the driver, are usually not at fault. Typical covered events include theft, fire, glass breakage, as well as damages caused by storms, hail, lightning, or flooding. In contrast to comprehensive insurance, self-inflicted accident damage or vandalism are usually not covered. A deductible, often 150 euros, is common and can reduce the premium.
Practice Check: When is third-party, fire and theft insurance the right choice for your car?
The decision of when a third party, fire and theft insurance is sensible for your car largely depends on the current value and age of your vehicle. A common rule of thumb is: For vehicles that are between five and seven years old, third party, fire and theft cover might be a good option. If your vehicle's value exceeds €4,000, this type of insurance is often recommended. If the value is significantly lower, the cost of insurance might outweigh the potential benefits. Many experts advise reviewing the switch from fully comprehensive to third party, fire and theft cover after about three to five years. A basic understanding of third party, fire and theft insurance helps in making this decision. Also consider your individual circumstances: If you frequently drive in areas with a high risk of wildlife collisions, third party, fire and theft insurance can be worthwhile even for a slightly older vehicle, as wildlife accidents are covered. The annual costs for third party, fire and theft insurance can start from around €35, but they vary significantly.
Here are a few typical scenarios where third party, fire and theft cover is often the appropriate solution:
Your vehicle is older than four or five years but still holds significant value.
You want to protect yourself against common risks like glass damage (e.g., stone chips) or theft.
Your car is frequently parked outside and thus more susceptible to weather damage or marten bites.
You live in a region with a higher risk of natural events or wildlife accidents.
The premium for a fully comprehensive insurance policy no longer justifies the vehicle's value.
Weighing these points leads to a well-informed decision for or against third party, fire and theft cover.
Weighing costs and benefits: What exactly does partial coverage offer?
A comprehensive insurance policy covers the costs for a range of specific damages to your own vehicle. The core benefits include protection against theft of the vehicle or permanently installed parts. Also covered are damages caused by fire or explosion. A very common claim is glass breakage, for example from a stone chip on the windscreen; here, repair or replacement costs are covered. The costs for replacing a windscreen can quickly amount to several hundred euros. Furthermore, the comprehensive policy covers damages caused by direct impact of natural forces such as storms (usually from wind force seven or eight), hail, lightning strikes, and floods. Collisions with wild animals (e.g. deer, wild boar) are also typically insured as standard; many policies extend this protection to all types of animals. Marten bites and their direct consequential damage to wiring are often included as well. A detailed explanation of comprehensive insurance benefits is helpful here. It's important to know that in comprehensive policies, there are no no-claims classes and therefore no downgrade in the event of a claim.
The costs of a comprehensive policy are influenced by various factors:
Vehicle type (type class) and model.
Regional class of your registration district.
Amount of agreed excess (typically 150 euros).
Annual mileage.
Age and number of drivers.
A detailed comparison of the different comprehensive insurance types highlights the differences in detail.
Expert depth: Vehicle value, age, and the right time to switch
Car depreciation is highest in the first few years. A new car often loses about a quarter of its value within the first year. After about three to five years, the value often decreases to the point where switching from comprehensive to third-party, fire and theft insurance becomes economically sensible. The question "When is comprehensive insurance no longer worthwhile?" is, therefore, closely linked to the vehicle's age and residual value. Third-party, fire and theft insurance is usually worth considering when the vehicle still has a value of at least 4,000 euros. For vehicles over ten years old with only a low residual value, it may often be feasible to forgo any form of cover, as the repair costs could quickly exceed the vehicle's value. In such cases, the insurance would only reimburse the replacement value in the event of a total loss. Our expert tip: Check your vehicle's current value annually and adjust your insurance coverage accordingly. Use online valuation portals or ask your dealer for an assessment. This helps you decide when is the optimal time to switch from comprehensive to third-party, fire and theft insurance. Also, consider regional risks; in areas with frequent animal collision incidents, maintaining third-party, fire and theft insurance may be sensible for longer. Every year, around 265,000 such incidents occur in Germany.
Your individual situation matters: Consultation as the key to optimal protection
Determining when a partial coverage policy is the right choice for your car cannot be answered uniformly for every vehicle owner. In addition to the age and value of the vehicle, your personal circumstances and need for security play a crucial role. An annual review of your insurance coverage is recommended to ensure it still matches your current situation and vehicle. The experts at nextsure are happy to assist you in finding a tailored solution for your car insurance. We analyze your individual risk situation and provide comprehensive advice on the various coverage options. This way, you ensure that you're neither overinsured nor underinsured and enjoy optimal protection in the event of damage. Good advice can help you save costs in the long term while driving with peace of mind.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation examined for free and receive specific optimization suggestions.
More useful links
Statista offers data on the number of partial cover insurance contracts in Germany.
Statista provides statistics on partial cover damages for cars in Germany, broken down by type of damage.
GDV provides statistics on partial cover insurance for cars.
GDV offers comprehensive statistics on comprehensive and partial cover insurance for cars.
DAT (Deutsche Automobil Treuhand) provides information on used vehicle values that are relevant for assessing insurance coverage.
The portal Die Versicherer of the GDV allows querying of type classes for car insurance.
Wikipedia offers a detailed article on comprehensive insurance, with a specific section on partial cover insurance.
FAQ
At what vehicle age should I consider comprehensive insurance?
Comprehensive insurance is often recommended for vehicles that are about five to seven years old. If a fully comprehensive policy no longer seems cost-effective due to the decreased vehicle value, but risks such as theft or glass damage still exist, comprehensive insurance is a good alternative.
What damage is typically covered by comprehensive insurance?
Typical comprehensive coverage includes damage caused by theft, fire/explosion, glass breakage (e.g., stone chipping), storms, hail, lightning strikes, flooding, and collisions with wild animals (often also with animals of any kind) as well as marten bites.
Does damage affect my premium in comprehensive insurance?
No, in comprehensive insurance there are no no-claims classes. A reported claim therefore does not result in a reclassification or an increase in premiums, as can be the case with fully comprehensive or liability insurance.
Is an excess common in comprehensive insurance?
Yes, an excess is very common in comprehensive insurance. A deductible of 150 euros is often chosen. By opting for a higher deductible, you can reduce the insurance premium.
Does comprehensive insurance also cover damage abroad?
The scope of comprehensive insurance is determined in the policy conditions and usually applies within the geographical boundaries of Europe and the EU member states. For details, you should check your specific contract.
When is basic motor liability insurance enough?
Basic motor liability insurance may be sufficient if your vehicle has only a very low residual value (e.g. under 4,000 euros) and the costs of comprehensive insurance no longer have a sensible relation to the potential damage. This is often the case with vehicles that are older than ten to fourteen years.
