Car Insurance Type Classes Table: Understanding and Optimizing Costs
1 Apr 2025
6
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
The vehicle type class is a crucial factor for the cost of your car insurance. Understand the car insurance type class table to better assess your costs and make informed decisions.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The type class is an annually updated statistical metric from the GDV, reflecting the claims record of a car model and influencing the insurance contribution.
The HSN/TSN from the vehicle registration certificate allows the online query of your own vehicle class; lower classes tend to be cheaper.
Aside from the type class, more than 50 other factors such as regional class, no-claims class, and individual characteristics determine the cost of the car insurance premium.
An Overview of Type Classes: Understanding the Basics
The classification is a statistical indicator for each car model. It provides information about the frequency of damage and the average repair costs. The German Insurance Association (GDV) calculates this anew annually. There is a classification for about 33,000 models.
There are three different types of classifications for each vehicle model: one for third-party liability, one for partial coverage, and one for comprehensive coverage. The scales range in liability from ten to 25, in partial coverage from ten to 33, and in comprehensive coverage from ten to 34. The lower the classification, the cheaper the insurance premium tends to be. The costs of car insurance are significantly influenced by this. This system helps to distribute risks fairly.
Determine your type class: How to find your classification
You can easily find the type class of your specific vehicle online. The GDV offers an online query on its website www.typklasse.de. To determine this, you need the manufacturer's key number (HSN) and the type key number (TSN). You can find these numbers in your registration certificate part one (vehicle registration) in fields 2.1 and 2.2.
Alternatively, you can often enter the make, model, year, and performance of your vehicle. Many insurance portals also offer such a search function. Knowing your type class is the first step in reviewing your insurance costs. The car insurance type class table is updated annually on the first of October. This allows for a reassessment of your tariff.
Practical examples: Types and their impact 2025
The annual reassessment of vehicle classification leads to changes for millions of drivers. For the year 2025, the classifications in motor liability insurance remain the same for approximately 71 percent of drivers. Around 5.1 million vehicle owners benefit from a better classification, while for about 7.1 million, the classification becomes more expensive.
Here are some examples of changes in partial coverage for 2025:
Hyundai Tucson 1.6: improvement by three classes to 24.
Mercedes EQC 400 4matic: improvement by two classes to 22.
Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD: still high classification 33.
Mercedes S 350 CDI: still high classification 31.
Especially classic cars often receive the lowest classification ten. These examples demonstrate how dynamic the vehicle insurance classification table is. Cars that are affordable for beginner drivers often have lower classifications.
Calculating Vehicle Classification: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
The calculation of type classes is based on the damage and accident statistics of the last three years. Both the number of damages and the average repair costs are taken into account. For motor vehicle liability insurance, the insurance benefits for third parties injured in traffic accidents are decisive. Partial coverage insurance includes damages such as theft, glass breakage, or wildlife accidents.
The comprehensive insurance statistics also consider damage to your own vehicle after self-caused accidents. Vehicle models with minor damages and low repair costs receive a more favourable type class. For new car models, data from similar vehicles and crash test results are used. This makes the understanding of the contribution rate of car insurance clearer.
Expert Depth: More Than Just the Type Class
Although the GDV type classes are used by most insurers, they are not binding. The type class is only one of over 50 tariff features that influence the insurance premium. Other important factors include the regional class, which reflects the claims record of a registration district. Your individual no-claims discount class (NCB class) also plays a significant role.
Additional aspects that insurers consider:
Annual mileage driven by the insured.
Age and number of registered drivers.
Occupation of the policyholder.
Availability of a garage or parking space.
Agreed excess in the comprehensive cover or third-party, fire, and theft cover.
Our expert tip: A change in the type class alone does not automatically result in a premium adjustment. Always check all underlying factors and your right to special termination in the event of a premium increase. The General Terms and Conditions for Motor Insurance provide further information.
Unlock potential for optimisation: Action options for policyholders
If the vehicle classification changes or your insurer increases the premium, you often have a special right of termination. This is a good opportunity to review your current contract. A comparison of insurance providers can be worthwhile, as not all providers weigh the classifications equally. Some insurers offer cheaper rates for vehicles with certain assistance systems, as these can reduce the risk of accidents.
Regularly check if your insurance coverage still meets your needs. Adjusting the deductible or the annual mileage can also lead to savings. A lower classification is a good starting point, but the total costs depend on many individual factors. A consultation can help you find the right car liability insurance for you.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked for free and receive concrete optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) offers a press release on the vehicle insurance classification system.
The insurers (GDV) provide an online tool to check the classification for your vehicle.
Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) explains the basics and significance of the classification system for vehicle insurance.
Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) publishes monthly statistics on vehicle registrations in Germany.
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) provides detailed tables on vehicle registrations in Germany.
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) offers comprehensive information on traffic accidents in Germany, including statistics and analyses.
FAQ
What is the car insurance type class table?
The car insurance type class table is an overview published annually by the GDV, categorising approximately 33,000 car models in Germany into different classes for liability, partial comprehensive, and comprehensive insurance based on their damage and accident records.
Where can I find the insurance group for my car?
You can check the type class of your car online on the GDV website (www.typklasse.de) or with many insurers by entering the HSN (manufacturer key number) and TSN (type key number) from your vehicle registration document.
Why is my car insurance expensive despite having a low risk category?
The insurance group is just one of many factors. Your regional class, personal no-claims discount, annual mileage, driver group, and other features also affect the total premium of your car insurance.
Does the vehicle class affect the cost of electric car insurance?
Yes, electric cars are also classified into insurance groups. Their damage and accident records are assessed in the same way as for combustion vehicles and are factored into the premium calculation.
What happens if the type class of my car changes?
A change in the insurance class could lead to an adjustment of your premium for the next insurance year. In the event of an increase, you generally have a right to terminate your policy early.
Are the type classes binding for all insurers?
No, the GDV type classes are a non-binding recommendation. However, most insurers use them as a guideline but can carry out their own calculations.
