Haftpflicht vs Teilkasko vs Vollkasko: Determine the optimal vehicle insurance for your car
31 May 2025
10
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
Choosing the right car insurance can be complex. Understand the key differences between liability, partial coverage, and comprehensive coverage to protect your vehicle and your wallet optimally. This article guides you through the options.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Motor vehicle liability insurance is legally required and covers damages you cause to others.
Partial insurance covers damage to your own vehicle caused by external factors (e.g. theft, storm), while comprehensive insurance additionally includes self-inflicted damage and vandalism.
The choice between liability, partial comprehensive, and full comprehensive insurance strongly depends on the vehicle's value, age, and individual need for security.
Quick Guide to Car Insurance: Understanding the Key Differences
Motor liability insurance is the legally required minimum coverage for every vehicle owner in Germany. Without it, no vehicle can be registered for road use. It covers damages you cause to other people or property with your vehicle. The partial coverage insurance is an optional additional protection. It covers costs for damage to your own vehicle caused by external factors like theft, fire, or storms. Comprehensive insurance offers the most extensive protection. It includes all benefits of partial coverage and additionally covers self-inflicted accident damage to your own vehicle as well as vandalism. The decision between these options depends on several factors, including vehicle value and individual security needs. Therefore, a careful consideration of the differences between liability vs partial vs comprehensive coverage is essential.
Practical Examples and Costs: When Each Comprehensive Insurance is Sensible
Imagine you scratch your neighbour's car while reversing; this is where your motor liability insurance comes into play. However, if your car is stolen or damaged by hail, you need at least a comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive cover becomes relevant if, for example, you hit a bollard and need to repair your own car. For new cars and young used cars up to about five years old, comprehensive insurance is often recommended. The average annual cost for a partial coverage is about 82 euros, while comprehensive cover averages 321 euros. However, these figures are just rough guidelines, as individual premiums vary greatly. A difference between partial and comprehensive coverage also exists in premium calculation. The decision for or against a type of cover should always consider the vehicle's value and the potential financial burden in case of a claim. For older vehicles with low residual value, you can often do without coverage.
Expert knowledge: Legal foundations and recent rulings on car insurance
Third-party motor insurance is mandated in Germany by the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG). This law ensures that accident victims are always compensated. The minimum coverage amounts are legally stipulated, but many insurers offer higher amounts. The Insurance Contract Act (VVG) governs the general rights and obligations of insurers and policyholders. Our expert tip: When considering partial coverage, ensure it includes damage from animal bites and consequential damage, as this is not always standard across all policies. Current court rulings continuously influence the interpretation of insurance terms. For example, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has repeatedly addressed the obligation to pay in cases of gross negligence or the definition of an accident event. Scratches to car paint caused by third parties can be considered an accident under comprehensive cover conditions. It is advisable to thoroughly review insurance conditions and seek professional advice in case of uncertainties to be optimally protected in the event of a claim. Knowledge of the legal basis of third-party motor insurance is important for every vehicle owner.
Coverage details: What liability, partial coverage, and full coverage include
The motor liability insurance covers personal, property, and financial damages that you cause to third parties. This includes, for example, repair costs for the opposing vehicle, medical expenses for injured individuals, or loss of earnings. The partial coverage insurance expands this protection to include damages to your own vehicle caused by specific events. Here is an overview of the typical partial coverage benefits:
Fire or explosion
Theft of the vehicle or permanently installed parts
Storm, hail, lightning strike, or flooding (natural hazards)
Collision with game animals (depending on the policy, also with other animals)
Glass breakage damages, often without loss of the no-claims discount
Damages caused by marten bites to cables, hoses, and lines
The comprehensive insurance includes all the benefits of partial coverage. Additionally, it covers damages to your own vehicle due to self-inflicted accidents and deliberate damage by strangers (vandalism). This is a crucial advantage, particularly for newer or high-value vehicles. The exact scope of benefits can vary depending on the insurer and policy, so it is always worth comparing.
Making the Right Choice: Criteria for Liability, Partial or Comprehensive Insurance
The decision for the right insurance coverage depends on several individual factors. For pure third-party car insurance, owners of very old vehicles with low value often choose this option when comprehensive insurance is no longer worthwhile. Third-party, fire and theft cover is often a good compromise for vehicles that are several years old but still hold some value and need protection from certain risks such as theft or damage from natural events. A rule of thumb is that comprehensive insurance is worthwhile for new cars and vehicles up to about five years old. Further criteria include:
Vehicle value and age: The newer and more expensive the car, the more comprehensive insurance is recommended.
Financial situation: Could you cover a total loss or expensive repair yourself?
Individual need for security: How much risk are you willing to take?
No-claims class (NCB): A high NCB can make comprehensive insurance more affordable.
Driving performance and usage: Frequent drivers or new drivers statistically have a higher accident risk.
Regularly check whether your chosen protection still matches your current situation and vehicle, especially when switching from comprehensive to partial coverage makes sense. A decision to forgo comprehensive insurance should be well considered.
Cost factors and savings potentials in your car insurance
The costs of car insurance are influenced by numerous factors. These include the type classification of your vehicle, which reflects your claims and accident record, and the regional classification of your registration district. Personal characteristics such as the policyholder's age and driving experience also play a role; novice drivers often pay higher premiums. Annual mileage is another important factor: those who drive less tend to pay less. An excess in comprehensive insurance can significantly reduce the premium; common examples are one hundred and fifty euros in third-party, fire and theft insurance and three hundred or five hundred euros in fully comprehensive insurance. The choice of payment method can also make a difference; annual payment is often cheaper than monthly or quarterly instalments. Compare the benefits of comprehensive insurance also considering the costs. Be sure to look out for possible discounts, such as for garage users, low-mileage drivers, or when combining multiple policies. A thorough comparison of comprehensive insurance offers is essential.
Claims Handling in Practice: What to Do in Case of an Emergency
In the event of damage, acting quickly and correctly is important to ensure smooth processing by your insurance company. Report the damage immediately to your insurer – often this can be done by phone or online within a few days. Carefully document the damage with photos and gather all relevant information such as the course of the accident and details of other parties involved, such as accident opponents or witnesses. In the case of a liability claim that you have caused, your insurance will initiate the examination of the injured party’s claims and will cover justified claims up to the agreed coverage amount. If it is a comprehensive insurance claim on your own vehicle, such as hail damage, your partial or fully comprehensive insurance becomes active. Follow any instructions from your insurer regarding the repair workshop, especially if you have chosen a policy with workshop binding. In the event of theft, a report to the police is also required. Keep all receipts and correspondence related to the damage carefully. Good preparation and cooperation significantly speed up the process.
Our expert tip: Regularly review your insurance coverage
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of car insurance in Germany.
Wikipedia explains the mandatory motor liability insurance in Germany.
Wikipedia describes the different types of comprehensive insurance in Germany.
GDV provides information in a press release about potential losses for car insurers in 2024.
GDV provides data on the impact of natural disasters on car insurance claims.
Verbraucherzentrale offers information on the mandatory car insurance for all vehicle owners.
Destatis provides statistics on traffic accidents in Germany.
Gesetze im Internet presents the Motor Vehicle Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG).
FAQ
Which insurance covers a self-inflicted accident on your own car?
In the event of an accident caused by your own fault involving your vehicle, comprehensive insurance provides coverage. Motor liability insurance only covers damage to other people's vehicles or individuals, whilst third-party, fire, and theft insurance does not cover self-inflicted damage.
What does partial coverage include in wildlife accidents?
Comprehensive coverage typically covers damage caused by collisions with wild animals (e.g. deer, wild boar). Some policies extend this protection to accidents involving all types of animals. Please check your contract terms for details.
Does a partial coverage claim affect my no-claims class?
No, a claim that is settled through partial comprehensive insurance (e.g., glass damage, theft) will not lead to a downgrade of your no-claims class. The no-claims class is only relevant for third-party liability and comprehensive insurance.
Is comprehensive insurance worth it for an old car?
For very old cars with low residual value, comprehensive insurance (partial or fully comprehensive) is often no longer worthwhile, as the insurance premium is disproportionate to the vehicle's value. In this case, car liability insurance may be sufficient.
What does deductible mean in comprehensive insurance?
The deductible is the amount you are responsible for in the event of a claim. A higher deductible usually results in a lower insurance premium. Common amounts are, for example, one hundred and fifty euros for partial coverage and three hundred or five hundred euros for full coverage.
Are acts of vandalism always covered by comprehensive insurance?
Yes, damage caused by deliberate damage from others (vandalism), such as scratched paint or broken-off mirrors, is typically covered by comprehensive insurance. Partial coverage does not extend to this.
