Motor vehicle no-claims class table: optimise premiums and unlock savings potential
17.04.25
3
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The SF class is a crucial factor in the amount of your car insurance premium. Understand the no-claims discount class table to save money in the long term. This article shows you how the system works and the benefits it offers you.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The SF class is decisive for the amount of your premium for motor third-party liability and fully comprehensive insurance; higher classes mean lower premiums.
After damage caused by the policyholder, the no-claims class is downgraded in accordance with the insurer’s downgrade table, which leads to higher premiums.
No-claims classes can be transferred under certain conditions (e.g. within the family), and no-claims protection can protect against a downgrade.
Understanding no-claims bonus classes: the basis for your insurance premium
The no-claims bonus class, or SF class for short, is a core component of your motor insurance. It records the number of years you have driven without an accident. The longer you remain without a reported claim, the higher your SF class rises. Typically, SF classes range from 0 to 50, with higher classes rewarded with attractive discounts. Many insurers already offer a better classification after one claim-free year. However, the exact structure of the motor insurance no-claims bonus table and the associated premium rates varies between providers. This classification applies to your motor third-party liability and comprehensive insurance; partial comprehensive cover does not have SF classes. A basic understanding of this system is the first step towards an optimised insurance premium. The next step is to look at the specific impact on your wallet.
Optimising premium rates: How the no-claims bonus class affects you financially
A higher SF class directly leads to a lower premium rate. For example, a driver in SF class 35 may only pay around twenty per cent of the base premium, whereas new drivers in SF class 0 often pay the full rate or more. The kfz sf klassen table of your insurer shows the respective percentage classification in detail. Even a difference of just a few SF classes can mean savings of several hundred euros per year. For each full calendar year without a reported claim, you are usually moved up to the next better SF class. It is important to know that the SF classes for liability and comprehensive cover are managed separately and can be different. A look at your last premium invoice reveals your current classification. But what happens if a claim does occur?
Downgrading after a claim: understand the consequences for your no-claims discount class
If you report an at-fault claim to your insurer, you will be downgraded in the SF class. This downgrade is set out in the insurer's so-called downgrading table and can vary depending on the provider and your previous SF class. A single claim can set you back several SF classes. For example, you could be downgraded from SF 30 to SF 15. The result is a noticeably higher insurance premium in the next insurance year. However, there are ways to mitigate this consequence or avoid it altogether. One option is to pay for smaller claims yourself up to a certain amount, so as not to jeopardise your upgrade. You can find the exact details of the downgrade in your insurance terms and conditions. Alongside downgrading, there are also positive aspects, such as the possibility of transferring SF classes.
Transferring no-claims bonus classes: Use savings potential for family and second cars
Under certain conditions, you can transfer or take over an existing no-claims bonus class. This is often possible within the family, for example from parents or grandparents to children or grandchildren. An important requirement is usually that the recipient has regularly used the vehicle. However, only as many claim-free years can be transferred as the recipient could themselves have earned since obtaining their driving licence. So if someone has held a driving licence for five years, they can only take over SF class 5, even if SF 20 is to be transferred. The transfer is a one-off process; the person transferring it loses their entitlement to the transferred SF class. For new drivers or insuring a second car, many insurers also offer attractive special classifications. A closer look at the kfz sf klassen tabelle and the terms is worthwhile. Our expert tip: Check the option of a second-car arrangement, which often enables a more favourable classification than SF 0, sometimes even SF 0.5 or better. But how can you actively protect the SF class you have painstakingly earned?
Arrange discount protection: effectively safeguard your no-claims bonus class
No-claims protection is an optional additional benefit in motor insurance. With no-claims protection, your no-claims discount class remains unchanged after the first claim reported in a year. This means you will not be downgraded and your premium will not increase as a result of this claim. The cost of no-claims protection is usually between fifteen and thirty per cent of the insurance premium. This option is particularly interesting for drivers with a high no-claims discount class or for high-mileage drivers, as a downgrade would have a significant financial impact here. Please note that no-claims protection usually only applies with your current insurer; when you switch, the actual claims history is taken into account. As a rule, a minimum no-claims discount class, often SF 4, is required to take out no-claims protection. Here is a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages:
Advantage: No downgrade after the first claim per year.
Advantage: Premium remains stable despite a claim.
Disadvantage: Additional cost for the add-on.
Disadvantage: Usually only valid with the current insurer.
Careful consideration of costs and benefits is crucial here. With this knowledge, you are well equipped to optimise your motor insurance.
Expert tips: Manage no-claims bonus classes effectively and save in the long term
To optimise your SF class and therefore your insurance premium over the long term, there are several tried-and-tested strategies. Check your car insurance SF class table and your insurer’s current terms regularly. For minor damage, it can be cheaper to cover the costs yourself rather than risk a downgrade; buying back a claim is often possible up to six or twelve months after settlement. New drivers often benefit from the option of insuring the vehicle as a second car through their parents in order to start with a better SF class. Also note that an interruption in cover of more than seven or, in some cases, twelve years can lead to the loss of your SF class. Our expert tip: if you change vehicle or take a longer break from driving, have your insurer confirm the SF class you have already achieved. This will secure the benefits you have earned for the future. These measures help you make the most of the complex SF class system to your advantage.
In addition to the standard rules, there are a few special cases when dealing with the motor vehicle no-claims bonus class table. For motorbikes, there is often no uniform classification system as there is for passenger cars; here, insurers define their systems individually. There are also often different no-claims bonus class systems for motorhomes, often with up to twenty no-claims bonus classes. When you change insurer, your previous no-claims bonus class is generally taken over by the new insurer, but the discount may vary due to different tables. SF class M (malus class) or S are special classes into which you can be downgraded after several claims or as a new driver with a claim, which leads to very high premiums. A comparison of motor vehicle no-claims bonus class tables from different providers can be worthwhile. Our expert tip: find out in advance how special classifications, for example for electric cars or certain occupational groups, are handled by your preferred provider. This can enable additional savings and is an important aspect when choosing the right insurance.
Your path to optimal protection: nextsure by your side
The world of the car insurance no-claims bonus classes table and insurance conditions can seem complex. However, with the right knowledge and a well-thought-out strategy, you can achieve considerable savings and optimise your cover. nextsure supports you as a digital insurance portal in finding tailored, easy-to-understand solutions. We help you understand the nuances of your current classification and uncover opportunities to reduce your premiums. Use our expertise for your individual situation. Request your personalised risk analysis now: have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of the no-claims bonus in German motor insurance.
The insurers (German Insurance Association) provide a news article about the no-claims bonus.
The Consumer Advice Centre provides information on how to save on motor insurance.
The GDV (German Insurance Association) offers the General Conditions for Motor Insurance (AKB 2015) as a PDF document.
Consumer Service Bavaria gives ten important tips on motor insurance.
Statista provides statistics on car drivers in the no-claims bonus classes of motor third-party liability insurance.
R+V Versicherung explains how the transfer of a no-claims bonus class from the previous insurer works.
Finanztip offers detailed information on the no-claims bonus class and its significance.
FAQ
How do I find out my current no-claims bonus class?
You can usually find your current no-claims bonus class on your latest premium invoice for your motor insurance.
What is the difference between no-claims class and no-claims discount?
The SF class indicates the number of your claim-free years. The no-claims discount is the percentage discount on the base premium that the insurer grants for a specific SF class. This discount can vary depending on the insurer's kfz sf klassen tabelle.
Is discount protection always worth it?
Discount protection can be worthwhile, especially with a high no-claims discount class or for frequent drivers. However, it costs extra (around a 15 to 30 per cent surcharge). Weigh up the costs and benefits, as it usually only applies with your current insurer.
How does the downgrade work in detail?
After a reported claim, the insurer will downgrade you according to its downgrade table. The number of classes you are downgraded by depends on your current no-claims discount class and the number of claims. A single claim can set you back by many classes.
Can I transfer my no-claims bonus class to a new insurer?
Yes, when you change insurer, the SF class you have achieved (the number of claim-free years) is transferred to the new insurer. However, the associated discount may vary, as each insurer has its own motor insurance no-claims bonus tables.
What happens to my no-claims bonus class if I deregister my car?
If you deregister your vehicle and suspend the contract, your no-claims class is usually stored by the insurer for a certain period (often seven years, sometimes longer). If you register again within this period, you can use your old no-claims class again.
