Auto & Mobility
Car Insurance (Liability)
general conditions for car insurance
General terms of automotive insurance (AKB): Your guide through the fine print
The general conditions for motor insurance, abbreviated as AKB, form the foundation of your insurance coverage. Many drivers feel overwhelmed by the extensive set of rules, but a basic understanding is essential. This article provides a practical overview of the key aspects of the AKB and shows you how to avoid pitfalls and uphold your rights.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The AKB are standard conditions of the GDV that regulate rights and obligations in vehicle insurance and become part of the contract.
Important duties of the policyholder include providing truthful information, reporting changes, and acting correctly in the event of a claim (e.g., reporting within one week).
The scope of services (liability, partial cover, comprehensive cover) and exclusions (e.g., intent, unauthorized races) are detailed in the General Terms and Conditions for Motor Vehicle Insurance (AKB).
Quick Facts: Understanding the AKB in Brief
The General Terms and Conditions for Motor Vehicle Insurance (AKB) are model conditions published by the German Insurance Association (GDV). They become part of the contract if both parties agree to this. The AKB regulate, among other things, scope of services, premium payment, and termination. For you as the policyholder, the sections on obligations in the event of a claim (Part E of AKB 2015) are particularly relevant. These include, for example, the prompt reporting of a claim within one week. A fundamental understanding of these conditions is important for every vehicle owner with more than zero years of driving experience.
Practical Part: AKB in Everyday Life – What Do They Mean for You?
In everyday life, you will encounter the AKB primarily when things get specific: with premium payments, a claim, or a cancellation. The General Terms and Conditions for Motor Vehicle Insurance stipulate, for instance, when your insurance coverage begins – usually with the payment of the first premium. An example: If you do not pay your initial premium of 250 euros on time, the insurer may, under certain circumstances, withdraw from the contract. In the event of a claim, the AKB define your obligations, such as the immediate reporting duty, usually within one week. Missing this deadline can jeopardise your entitlements. Another example is termination: The standard notice period is generally one month to the end of the contract. For many contracts starting on 1st January, the key deadline is 30th November. These examples illustrate how the AKB directly influence your insurance cover and financial responsibilities.
Your Obligations as a Policyholder: Key to Protection
The AKB clearly define your obligations, or contractual duties. A key obligation is to answer all questions in the application truthfully; even here, false statements about mileage, such as 15,000 kilometres instead of the actual 25,000 kilometres, can be problematic. During the contract term, you must promptly report changes, such as a driver change or a change in vehicle use (e.g., from private to commercial). Your obligations in the event of a claim are particularly important: You must mitigate the damage, report it immediately (often within seven days), and assist with clarification. In the case of theft, an immediate report to the police is usually required if the damage exceeds an amount of, for example, 500 euros. Adhering to these obligations is crucial for the full scope of your motor vehicle liability insurance.
Understanding Coverage: What is Really Included?
The exact scope of your motor vehicle insurance coverage is detailed in the AKB. The motor vehicle liability insurance covers personal injury, property damage, and pure financial losses you cause to third parties. The statutory minimum insurance sum for personal injuries is 7.5 million euros. However, many contracts offer higher sums, often 100 million euros in total. The comprehensive insurance (part or fully comprehensive) covers damage to your own vehicle. Typically, the partial comprehensive insurance covers damage due to fire, theft, storm (from wind force eight), hail, or glass breakage. The fully comprehensive insurance extends this protection to include self-inflicted accident damage and vandalism. Pay attention to exclusions: Deliberately caused damage or damage in unauthorised races is often not covered. A look at the AKB of your contract, such as those of Württembergische (as of June 2025), reveals specific regulations, such as the inclusion of permanently installed navigation systems.
Expert Depth: Paragraphs, Judgments, and Design Tips
For a deeper understanding of the general conditions for motor vehicle insurance, it is essential to look at the legal foundations and current case law. Although the AKB are standard conditions of the GDV, their interpretation and application are continuously refined by court decisions. For example, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has specified the definition of the “operation” of a vehicle in various judgments (e.g., Az. VI ZR 43/11 or VI ZR 265/14), which is relevant for differentiation from general liability insurance. The Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG) forms the legal basis for motor vehicle liability insurance and prescribes minimum coverage amounts. Current AKB versions, such as the AKB 2015 of the GDV or specific conditions like those of Alte Leipziger (AKB 2024), contain detailed clauses on topics such as the no-claims bonus system (Part I of AKB 2015) or workshop commitment. Our expert tip: When signing the contract, check the clause on workshop commitment (often in Part A.2 of the AKB), as this can restrict your freedom of choice for a workshop but often comes with a discount of up to ten percent. Knowledge of relevant paragraphs, such as § 5d PflVG on motor sport liability insurance, can be crucial in special cases. For precise type class classification or the details on no-claims classes, it is also worth looking at the specific appendices of the AKB.
Important Clauses and Their Significance
Within the AKB, there are several clauses to which you should pay special attention. Here is a selection:
Breach of Obligations (Parts D and E of AKB 2015): This regulates the consequences if you fail to fulfill your duties, e.g., a late damage report. The consequence may be a reduction in benefits or even the insurer's release from performance, with the reduction for gross negligence often limited to 5,000 euros.
Gross Negligence: Many newer tariffs waive the objection of gross negligence, except for alcohol/drugs at the wheel or theft. This is an important point that may be regulated in the AKB under A.2.9.1 (Casco) or D.2.1.
Mallorca Policy (often in A.1 of the AKB): This clause extends liability protection to rental cars abroad, usually within the EU.
Replacement Value Compensation (often in A.2.5.1.2 of the AKB): For new vehicles, in the event of total damage, the replacement value can be reimbursed instead of the resale value within the first months (often six to 24 months).
Right of Termination (Part G of AKB 2015): In addition to ordinary termination, there are special rights of termination, e.g., after a claim or in case of premium increases. The deadline here is usually one month.
Understanding these clauses helps you better assess your rights and obligations and act appropriately in case of an event.
Current Judgments and Their Impact on the AKB
Case law continuously develops the interpretation of the AKB. A judgment of the BGH (Az. IV ZR 252/10) dealt, for example, with the question of when workshop commitment is effectively agreed and what information obligations the insurer has. Another important issue is the fictional billing of repair costs. There are several judgments that clarify under which circumstances VAT or transfer costs must be reimbursed, even if no repair occurs (e.g., BGH, Az. VI ZR 61/17). Our expert tip: In case of uncertainties or disputes regarding the AKB, consulting a specialist lawyer for insurance law or traffic law can be beneficial, as they are familiar with current case law. The question of when a termination of car insurance is effective is also often legally clarified, especially in the case of special termination rights. It is important to know that although the AKB are model conditions, individual agreements in the insurance policy can take precedence.
Design Tips: How to Optimise Your Contract
Although the AKB are largely standardised, there are points for optimising your protection. Compare not only the price but also the underlying conditions of different providers. Pay attention to the scope of the Mallorca policy, the duration of replacement value compensation (often between six and 24 months), and whether extended wildlife damage coverage (collision with any animal rather than just game) is included. Check if a waiver of the objection of gross negligence is included – this can be invaluable in the event of a claim. Consider whether workshop commitment is meaningful for you; it can reduce the premium by up to 20 percent but limits your choice of workshop. Our expert tip: Adjust the annual mileage (e.g., from 10,000 to 15,000 kilometers) realistically to avoid additional payments or problems in the event of a claim. Adjusting the premium rate can also result from changing the casco variant. Carefully reviewing and adjusting these points can significantly improve your insurance coverage.
The path to your optimal protection: Consultation and conclusion
The General Terms and Conditions for motor insurance are a complex but important set of rules. A thorough understanding helps you avoid pitfalls and tailor your insurance coverage optimally. At nextsure, we place importance on ensuring that you don't just take out any insurance, but the one that truly suits you and your needs. Our digital processes and clear information, such as in the area of Car & Mobility, support you in this. We help you understand the clauses in the GTC that are relevant to you and make the right decisions for your individual protection. With our expertise in the area of motor liability and comprehensive insurance, we are by your side. Request your individual risk analysis now.
Request your individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive concrete suggestions for improvement.
More useful links
GDV offers the General Terms and Conditions for Motor Vehicle Insurance (AKB 2015) as an official PDF document available for download.
GDV provides detailed statistics on business development in motor vehicle liability insurance.
GDV informs about the current motor vehicle stock in Germany using relevant statistics.
The insurers enable a direct query of the type classes for motor vehicle insurance.
Destatis (Federal Statistical Office) offers comprehensive information and data on road traffic accidents.
Destatis provides detailed tables and overviews of road traffic accidents.
Statistikportal.de presents an interactive accident atlas with maps and data on traffic accidents.
Consumer Centre informs about the legal requirement for car insurance for all vehicle owners.
FAQ
Why are the AKB so important for my car insurance?
The AKB (General Terms and Conditions) are the foundation of your insurance contract. They clearly specify what benefits you can expect in the event of damage, what obligations you have (e.g., timely damage reporting), and under what circumstances the insurer may reduce or refuse benefits. Knowing the AKB protects you from surprises and helps enforce your rights.
What happens if I breach an obligation in the AKB?
A breach of obligation (violation of terms), such as delayed damage reporting or false information, can have serious consequences. Depending on the severity and fault, the insurer may reduce the benefits or, in extreme cases, refuse them altogether. In cases of gross negligence, the reduction in liability is often limited to 5,000 euros.
Where can I find the AKB applicable to my contract?
The AKB relevant to your specific contract are provided by your insurer along with the insurance policy. Generally, the version current at the time of contract conclusion applies. Insurers may deviate from the sample AKB of the GDV (German Insurance Association).
What does 'workshop obligation' mean in the AKB?
A workshop obligation (often regulated in Part A.2 of the AKB) means that in the event of a comprehensive damage claim, you are obliged to have the repair carried out at a partner workshop of the insurer. In return, you usually receive a premium discount. Repairs done in an independent workshop can lead to reductions.
Do the AKB also apply abroad?
Yes, third-party liability insurance cover usually extends over the geographical borders of Europe and EU areas. The scope depends on the law of the country visited, but at the very least on your contract. The International Insurance Card (Green Card) can extend the coverage area.
What are the most important exclusions in the AKB?
Typical exclusions include intentionally caused damages, damages during participation in unauthorized races, or driving without a valid driver’s license. Using the vehicle under significant alcohol influence can also lead to benefit exclusions.
