Trailer insurance: a must for safety and protection on the road
24.04.25
5
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Do you have to insure a trailer? The short answer is usually yes. Since 2002, there has been compulsory insurance in Germany for most trailers, in order to clearly regulate liability issues and protect accident victims.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Since 2002, in Germany, most trailer owners have been legally required to take out their own liability insurance to cover damage to third parties.
The cost of trailer liability insurance is often low (approx. €12–50 per year), and optional comprehensive cover for your own damage is also available.
There are exceptions to the insurance requirement for special sports and agricultural trailers, but even here voluntary liability insurance is usually worthwhile when uncoupled.
Understanding the legal obligation to insure trailers
Since 2002, it has been legally required in Germany for most trailers to have their own liability insurance. This regulation is set out in the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG) , in particular Section 1 of the PflVG is relevant here. The introduction of this requirement was intended to simplify the often complicated processing of claims in accidents involving trailers. Before this change in the law, trailers were often covered by the towing vehicle, which led to problems in the event of damage caused by parked trailers. Separate insurance ensures that the trailer owner is liable for any damage caused.
This insurance requirement applies to trailers used on public roads or places. Without the appropriate proof, usually in the form of an electronic insurance confirmation (eVB number), registering the trailer is not possible. The need to insure a trailer is therefore not optional, but a legal requirement for the majority of trailer users. There are only a few exceptions to this rule. We will clarify the exact regulations and which insurance is right for your trailer below.
Insurance options for trailers: from third-party liability to comprehensive cover
For trailers, there are various types of insurance that cover different risks. The legally required basic cover is motor third-party liability insurance. This covers personal injury, property damage and financial loss that you cause to third parties with your trailer, up to the agreed sums insured – often up to 100 million euros for property damage and financial loss and up to 15 million euros per injured person.
In addition to the mandatory insurance, you can protect your trailer with comprehensive cover. There are two options here:
The partial comprehensive insurance covers damage to your own trailer caused, for example, by theft, fire, explosion, storm, hail, glass breakage or a collision with furred game. Partial comprehensive cover is often available for an annual premium from around 75 euros.
The fully comprehensive insurance includes all the benefits of partial comprehensive cover and goes beyond that. It additionally covers damage caused by vandalism and self-inflicted accidents to your own trailer. Damage caused by tyre bursts may also be covered here. This more extensive protection is particularly recommended for new or high-value trailers and generally costs from 100 euros per year.
The choice of the right cover depends on your individual security needs and the value of your trailer. A comparison of the comprehensive cover options is worthwhile. Next, we will look at the costs in more detail.
Costs at a glance: What trailer insurance costs
The cost of trailer insurance is usually significantly lower than the insurance for a car. A third-party liability policy for a trailer is often available for an annual premium of between €12 and €50. For a trailer with a permitted gross weight of up to 750 kilograms, liability costs range from €15 to €45 per year.
Several factors influence the premium amount:
Type of trailer and body style: Is it an open flatbed, a box trailer or a specialist transporter?
Permitted gross weight: Heavier trailers can tend to have higher premiums. For example, motor vehicle tax for a 750-kg trailer is around €29 per year.
Value of the trailer (new price/current market value): This is particularly relevant for comprehensive insurance.
Type of use: Private use is often cheaper than commercial use.
Desired scope of cover: Third-party liability, partial cover or comprehensive cover.
An important difference compared with car insurance is the absence of no-claims classes in trailer insurance. This means that the premium is generally always calculated at 100 per cent and does not increase after a claim. It is advisable to compare different offers in order to find the right cover at the best price. Now to the exceptions to the insurance requirement.
Exceptions prove the rule: When is no separate insurance necessary?
Although most trailers require their own insurance, there are some exceptions to this requirement. These mainly concern special types of trailer used for specific purposes. These often include:
Trailers for sporting purposes, such as boat trailers, horse trailers for transporting sport horses or glider trailers.
Certain trailers used in agriculture and forestry, which, for example, may only travel at a maximum of 25 kilometres per hour and often display a green number plate.
For these trailers exempt from compulsory insurance, it is often the case that they are covered under the motor vehicle liability insurance of the towing vehicle as long as they are coupled. Nevertheless, caution is advised: As soon as such a trailer is uncoupled and, for example, rolls away and causes damage, the towing vehicle's insurance cover may under certain circumstances not apply. Experts therefore often recommend taking out separate, albeit voluntary, liability insurance for these trailers as well in order to cover such risks. It is important to know that even trailers exempt from insurance require an official number plate in order to take part in road traffic. Using a trailer that is actually exempt from insurance for a different purpose, for example using a horse trailer for a move, can lead to compulsory insurance being required after all. In the next section, we delve deeper into specific legal questions and expert knowledge.
Expert knowledge: Legal nuances and recent rulings
In the area of trailer insurance, there are a number of legal aspects and court rulings that are relevant for keepers. The Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG), in particular § 1, forms the basis of the insurance obligation. § 2a of the PflVG, in turn, lists certain exceptions to this obligation. An interesting development occurred in 2020 through a change in the law on liability in accidents involving vehicle combinations. This was intended to regulate the allocation of liability more clearly, with the keeper of the towing vehicle tending once again to be held more strongly responsible if the vehicle combination is involved in an accident.
Our expert tip: Clarify with your insurer whether the towing vehicle and the trailer must be insured with the same provider. Some insurers make this a requirement, while others allow free choice.
A ruling by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) of 15 March 2023 (case no. VI ZR 87/22) illustrates keeper liability. Even if a parked trailer is struck by a third party (e.g. another vehicle) and damage is caused as a result, the trailer keeper may be liable. This underlines the importance of trailer insurance, as the operational risk of the trailer can also exist when it is stationary. The sums insured should be set sufficiently high; the statutory minimum sums insured are 7.5 million euros for personal injury and 1.22 million euros for property damage. However, many tariffs now offer significantly higher sums, for example 100 million euros as a lump sum. These details are set out in the General Conditions for Motor Vehicle Insurance (AKB) of your contract. So the question of whether you must insure a trailer can, in most cases, be answered with a clear yes.
Green licence plates and the insurance obligation: a common misconception
A common misconception concerns trailers with a green licence plate. Many people believe that these are generally exempt from compulsory insurance. However, the green licence plate primarily indicates an exemption from motor vehicle tax, not automatically from compulsory insurance. The tax exemption is granted for trailers used for certain purposes, such as in agriculture and forestry or for specific sports equipment.
Although some of these trailers (e.g. for sport horses or boats) can in fact be exempt from the requirement for their own trailer insurance and are covered under the towing vehicle when they are coupled , this does not apply to all trailers with a green licence plate. The insurance requirement under the Compulsory Insurance Act remains in place for many trailers requiring registration, even with a green licence plate. Even if an exemption from compulsory insurance applies, voluntary liability insurance for the uncoupled state is strongly recommended, as significant liability risks can arise here. Damage caused by a trailer breaking away on its own can quickly amount to several thousand euros. You should therefore always clarify the status of your trailer with a green licence plate precisely with your licensing authority and insurer. Protecting your mobility should be the priority here.
If damage occurs involving a trailer combination, the question of liability and cost coverage is crucial. As a rule: if the trailer is permanently connected to the towing vehicle and the combination is taking part in traffic, the towing vehicle’s motor third-party liability insurance usually settles the damage the combination causes to a third party. This was further clarified by a legislative amendment in 2020, which tends to place liability more firmly with the towing vehicle.
However, if a detached trailer causes damage – for example, if it rolls away and damages another vehicle – the trailer’s separate third-party liability insurance applies. This was one of the main reasons for introducing independent trailer insurance in 2002. For damage to your own trailer, it depends on the comprehensive cover chosen. Partial cover, for example, covers theft or storm damage, while fully comprehensive cover also settles damage caused by your own fault or vandalism to the trailer. An interesting aspect is mutual damage between towing vehicle and trailer, for example when manoeuvring. If the towing vehicle has fully comprehensive insurance, such damage is often covered by it, provided there was no external influence. Document each claim carefully with photos and witness statements to make settlement with the insurers easier. A stable premium rate is common for trailer insurance, as there are no no-claims classes.
Conclusion: The right trailer insurance as indispensable protection
The question “Do you have to insure a trailer?” can be answered with a clear “Yes” for the vast majority of trailers in Germany. The obligation, in place since 2002, to have separate liability insurance for trailers serves to protect all road users and makes claims handling much easier. The costs are manageable, with basic liability cover often costing less than 50 euros per year. Additional partial or fully comprehensive insurance provides extra protection for your own trailer, which is particularly sensible for newer or more valuable models.
Even though there are exceptions for certain sports or agricultural trailers, voluntary cover for when the trailer is not coupled is often advisable here as well. The potential costs of an uninsured loss can quickly become existential. A careful assessment of your own needs and a comparison of offers are therefore essential. nextsure supports you as a digital insurance portal in finding the right, tailor-made insurance solution for your trailer. We offer expert advice and fully digital application processes.
Request your individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific recommendations for optimisation.
More useful links
Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) provides statistics on the vehicle fleet in Germany.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides information on road traffic accidents.
German Road Safety Council (DVR) offers publications for businesses and public institutions.
On the platform Gesetze im Internet you will find the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG), which forms the basis of the compulsory motor vehicle insurance requirement.
Another publication by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) deals with accidents involving goods vehicles.
The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) provides information on own-account transport and market access procedures.
FAQ
Do I need to insure my private car trailer?
Yes, in Germany, since 2002 almost all private car trailers used on public roads must have their own motor third-party liability insurance. This requirement serves to clearly regulate liability issues in the event of a claim.
What damage does trailer liability insurance cover?
Trailer liability insurance covers personal injury, property damage and financial losses that you cause to third parties with your trailer. The sums insured are contractually fixed, often up to 100 million euros.
Is partial or fully comprehensive insurance worth it for my trailer?
Partial comprehensive insurance (against theft, storm damage, etc.) makes sense if the trailer is used regularly or has a certain value. Comprehensive insurance (including vandalism and damage caused by the policyholder) is recommended for new or very expensive trailers.
Are there no-claims bonus classes for trailer insurance?
No, with trailer insurance there are generally no no-claims bonus classes like with car insurance. The premium is usually calculated at 100 per cent and does not increase after a claim.
What should be considered regarding insurance for trailers with green number plates?
A green licence plate means tax exemption, but not automatically insurance exemption. Many trailers with a green licence plate still require their own third-party liability insurance. Always clarify this on an individual basis.
Where can I take out trailer insurance?
Trailer insurance is offered by most motor insurers. As a digital insurance portal, nextsure helps you find suitable offers and take out a tailored solution.
