Profitably take over car insurance: How to secure favourable terms and transfer no-claims classes
2 Apr 2025
4
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Would you like to take over an existing car insurance policy and benefit from lower premiums? This is often easier than you might think, but there are also a few pitfalls. Find out here how you can save up to eighty percent of the costs.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Transferring the no-claims discount (NCB) is the key to saving costs when taking over car insurance and is usually limited to close family members.
The recipient can only assume as many accident-free years as they could have accumulated themselves since obtaining their driving licence; the giver permanently loses the no-claims discount level.
Special termination rights upon change of owner and specific regulations in the event of death require careful attention to deadlines and insurance conditions.
Quick Check: The most important facts about the car insurance takeover
Taking over a car insurance policy is often associated with transferring the no-claims bonus class (SF-class). This can lead to significant savings of up to eighty per cent on insurance premiums. The SF-class reflects the number of years driven without an accident. A transfer is usually possible within the family, for example, from parents to children or between spouses. However, the recipient can only take as many claim-free years as they could have experienced since obtaining their driving licence. The previous policyholder loses their entitlement to the discount through the transfer. Typically, an application to the insurer is necessary for the transfer. Please note that the comprehensive insurance does not recognise SF-classes, and thus no transfer is possible here. The exact conditions can vary depending on the insurer, so early clarification is crucial for a successful car insurance takeover.
Practical Guide: Successfully Transfer Car Insurance and No-Claims Class
The process of acquiring car insurance, especially the no-claims bonus, involves several steps. First, the terms need to be clarified with the current insurer. Many insurers offer specific forms for this purpose, which can be submitted online or by post. A common scenario is taking over insurance from parents, for example, when a second car is handed over to the child. It is important to note that the child can only take over the no-claims bonus up to the extent of their own driving experience; if they have had their driving licence for five years, only five claim-free years can be credited. For instance, if the father has a no-claims bonus of 20 years (twenty claim-free years) and the child has been driving for five years without an accident, the child can take over a maximum of a no-claims bonus of 5. The father's remaining fifteen years would expire if he does not insure another vehicle himself. The transfer is a one-time process and cannot be reversed. Therefore, the decision should be well considered, especially if the transferor plans to insure a vehicle again in the future. The consent of both parties and the insurer is essential for the change of vehicle insurance policyholder.
Expert knowledge: Navigating legal frameworks and special cases
When taking over car insurance, legal aspects also play a role. In principle, when a vehicle is sold, the insurance contract is transferred to the buyer, who, however, has a special right of termination about four weeks after the re-registration. It is different in the case of death: here, the contract is transferred to the heir, and a special right of termination generally does not exist for the heir directly. The no-claims class can usually be transferred to a close relative within twelve months in the event of death, for which the death certificate must be presented. A transfer of the no-claims class is only relevant for motor liability and comprehensive insurance. Motor liability is legally required. There are certain conditions that must be met for the transfer of the no-claims class:
Close family relationship (e.g., parents, children, spouse).
The recipient must have regularly driven the vehicle (depending on the insurer).
The recipient must have a valid driving licence.
The transferor must waive the no-claims class in writing.
The transfer is only possible to the extent that the recipient could have achieved themselves.
Some insurers require a shared household.
Please note that special no-claims class ratings, which are not based on actual accident-free years, are usually not transferable. A sample letter for the change of policyholder can facilitate the process. The exact rules for the transfer of motor insurance percentages must always be clarified directly with the respective insurance provider.
Transferring No-Claims Bonus: A Closer Look at the Details
The transfer of the no-claims discount class (SF-Klasse) is crucial if you wish to take over a car insurance policy to save costs. The SF-Klasse can mean a discount of up to eighty per cent on the insurance premium. It is important to note that only the number of claim-free years is transferred, not the exact percentage of the discount, as this can vary from one insurer to another. If you want to transfer the percentage of a car insurance, you actually mean the SF-Klasse. The transfer is generally restricted to close family members, including:
Spouses or registered civil partners.
Children (biological and often also non-biological).
Parents.
Grandparents to grandchildren (sometimes with conditions such as living together).
Siblings (less common, but possible with some providers).
The recipient must prove they have regularly used the vehicle if the insurer requires it. Transferring to new drivers often doesn’t make sense, as they can only account for a few years and valuable SF years of the giver could be lost. Therefore, transferring a car insurance to a child should be carefully considered. The SF-Klasse can also be taken along when changing insurers, but the new provider is not obliged to offer the same discount rate. The fully comprehensive insurance also benefits from a high SF-Klasse.
Your next step to cheaper car insurance
Taking over a car insurance policy offers significant savings opportunities, especially by maintaining a high no-claims bonus. Once you've considered all eventualities and clarified the prerequisites with the insurer, there is often nothing to prevent you from securing a lower premium. Remember that good preparation and understanding the details are crucial. Take advantage of the opportunity for personalised advice to find the optimal solution for your situation. At nextsure, we are happy to assist you in reviewing your insurance situation free of charge and receiving specific optimisation suggestions. Request your individual risk analysis now and benefit from our expertise in the field of digital insurance solutions.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of the no-claims discount system in German car insurance.
GDV provides statistics on the business development of motor vehicle liability insurance in Germany.
GDV gives information about potential billion-euro losses for car insurers in 2024.
Die Verbraucherzentrale offers advice on how to save on car insurance.
Die Verbraucherzentrale explains the obligation for vehicle owners in Germany to have car insurance.
Das Statistische Bundesamt (Destatis) provides statistical information on vehicle registrations in Germany.
Gesetze im Internet provides the German compulsory insurance law for vehicle owners (PflVG).
FAQ
Welche Unterlagen benötige ich für die Übernahme einer Autoversicherung?
Für die Übernahme benötigen Sie meist einen Antrag des Versicherers, eine Verzichtserklärung des bisherigen Versicherungsnehmers, eine Kopie des Führerscheins des neuen Versicherungsnehmers und ggf. Nachweise über das Verwandtschaftsverhältnis sowie die Zustimmung des Versicherers.
Ist die Übertragung der Schadenfreiheitsklasse auch auf nicht-verwandte Personen möglich?
In der Regel ist die Übertragung der SF-Klasse auf nahe Familienangehörige beschränkt. Einige Versicherer können Ausnahmen zulassen, dies ist aber selten und muss individuell geklärt werden.
Was kostet die Übernahme einer Autoversicherung?
Die reine Übernahme des Vertrags oder der SF-Klasse verursacht meist keine direkten Gebühren seitens der Versicherung. Kosten können jedoch bei der Ummeldung des Fahrzeugs bei der Zulassungsstelle anfallen (ca. 20-30 Euro).
Kann ich eine Autoversicherung auch bei einem Todesfall übernehmen?
Ja, im Todesfall können nahe Angehörige (z.B. Ehepartner, Kinder) die Autoversicherung und oft auch die SF-Klasse des Verstorbenen übernehmen. Dies muss meist innerhalb von zwölf Monaten nach dem Todesfall beantragt und die Sterbeurkunde vorgelegt werden.
Lohnt sich die Übernahme der SF-Klasse für Fahranfänger?
Für absolute Fahranfänger lohnt sich die Übernahme einer hohen SF-Klasse oft nicht, da sie nur sehr wenige Jahre angerechnet bekommen und der Rest verfällt. Es kann sinnvoller sein, einige Jahre eigene Fahrpraxis zu sammeln.
Kann ich die übernommene Schadenfreiheitsklasse zu einer anderen Versicherung mitnehmen?
Ja, die übernommene SF-Klasse kann in der Regel bei einem Versicherungswechsel zu einem neuen Anbieter mitgenommen werden. Der neue Versicherer ist jedoch nicht verpflichtet, den exakt gleichen Rabattsatz zu gewähren.
