Cleverly transfer car insurance percentages: This is how you save real money
14 Apr 2025
12
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
Would you like to take advantage of the discounted rates of car insurance and reduce your premiums? Many people are unaware that transferring no-claims discount classes (SF classes) can lead to significant savings of up to seventy percent. Find out here how you can benefit legally and effectively.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Transferring the no-claims bonus (SF class) can reduce insurance costs by up to seventy percent, but it is subject to conditions such as kinship and the length of time the driver's license has been held.
The transferor irrevocably loses their SF class; the recipient can only take over the SF years that they could have achieved themselves.
Special cases such as second car takeover or transfer after death are possible, but they require specific documentation and deadlines.
Quick overview: The essentials of taking over insurance percentages
Transferring the no-claims bonus of a car insurance policy is subject to certain conditions and offers savings potential often exceeding fifty per cent. The key factor is the no-claims discount class (SF-Klasse), which rewards accident-free years. A higher SF-Klasse means a lower premium rate, which often amounts to several hundred euros per year. The transfer is usually possible within the family or between partners, whereby the recipient does not receive credit for more years than they have held a driving licence. The person transferring the bonus irrevocably loses their SF-Klasse, requiring careful consideration. This mechanism is an important lever for optimising your insurance costs.
Understanding the Basics: What Are No-Claims Bonus Classes?
Claims-free classes, abbreviated as SF classes, reflect the number of years a policyholder has driven without an accident. Each accident-free year leads to a better SF class and thus to a higher claims-free discount. [5-1] The range often spans from SF class zero for novice drivers to SF class 35 or even SF class 50 with some insurers, which can enable premium rates of under thirty percent. [5-5,-1] These discounts apply to third-party liability insurance and comprehensive insurance, but not to partial coverage. [2-6] The exact level of discount varies depending on the insurer, as each company has its own SF class table. [2-3] Understanding these fundamentals is crucial to fully capitalise on the benefits of a transfer.
Check requirements: Who can transfer percentages to whom?
The opportunity to transfer a percentage of a car insurance policy is not unlimited but tied to clear rules. Insurers usually allow the transfer of the SF class only within a tightly defined circle of people. These typically include:
Spouses and registered civil partners. [4-3]
Parents and children (including step- or adoptive children). [2-2]
Grandparents and grandchildren.
People living in a household community (depending on the insurer).
Siblings (less common, but possible with some providers). [4-3]
A central condition often is that the recipient has regularly used the giver's vehicle. Additionally, the recipient can transfer a maximum of as many claim-free years as they could have experienced themselves since obtaining their driver's licence. [2-2] For example, if someone has held their driving licence for five years, they can only adopt SF class five, even if the giver has SF class twenty. Each insurer establishes their exact conditions individually, so inquiry is always advisable. Knowing these rules is the first step towards successful transfer.
The transfer process: Step by step to a more affordable tariff
Transferring percentages of car insurance requires several formal steps and documents. First, the current holder of the SF class of their insurance must inform their insurer of the desire to transfer and sign a waiver declaration. [4-1] By doing so, they irrevocably give up their SF class and the associated discount. The recipient then submits an application to their (new or existing) insurance company for the takeover of the SF class. The following documents are typically required:
The completed application form of the insurance (often referred to as form TB28). [4-3]
Copy of the recipient's driving license.
Proof of the relationship or household community. [4-1]
If applicable, a copy of the death certificate if the SF class is taken over from a deceased person. [3-1]
The insurance company checks the documents and the fulfillment of the requirements, especially the driving experience of the recipient. The processing time may take several days to a few weeks. After successful evaluation, the recipient's contract is classified with the new, more favorable SF class. This process ensures you receive the desired contribution benefits.
Handling special cases: transferring percentages for second cars and in the event of death
Special life situations require specific regulations regarding the transfer of insurance percentages. With a second car, it is often possible to use the no-claims class of the first car for the classification of the second car or to receive an improved special classification. [6-2,6-3] If the second car is later taken over by a child, the no-claims class gained for the second car can often be transferred. [2-2] In the event of the policyholder's death, close relatives, such as the spouse or children, can inherit their no-claims class. [3-1,3-2] Generally, a death certificate needs to be presented for this, and the transfer must typically be applied for within twelve months of the death. [3-3,3-4] It is important that the heir continues to actually use the deceased’s vehicle and has often driven it regularly before. [3-1] These options also provide ways to save costs in complex cases.
Avoiding pitfalls: What you need to consider during the transfer
Although the transfer of insurance percentages for a car can be appealing, there are some important points to consider to avoid disadvantages. The donor permanently loses their no-claims bonus class and discount; a re-transfer is excluded. [3,4-3] This should be especially considered if the donor plans to insure a vehicle again in the future, as they will then be reclassified, often in class 0 or class 1/2. [2-2] The transfer is often only worthwhile for novice drivers after a few years of their own driving experience, as they can only credit the no-claims years that correspond to the duration of their driving licence possession. [2-6] Only the actually experienced no-claims classes can be transferred, not special classifications or a granted discount protection. [-1] Furthermore, a transfer is only possible once; splitting the no-claims class among multiple people or contracts is not foreseen. [6-4] Careful planning protects against unwanted consequences.
Expert Depth: Legal Aspects and Design Tips
The transfer of no-claims bonus classes is common practice but not a legal obligation for insurers. [2-5] The specific conditions are outlined in the General Terms and Conditions for Motor Insurance (AKB) of each insurer, but they often follow the recommendations of the German Insurance Association (GDV). [-2] Our expert tip: Always clarify the exact modalities and deadlines with both involved insurers in advance. A deadline for the transfer after the termination of the donor's contract is often six to twelve months. It is also possible to carry over the no-claims bonus class when switching insurers, but the new insurer will only recognise the 'genuine' claim-free years, not any special classifications. [-1,6-2] Check if there is an option to transfer to a company car with a possibility of re-transfer later, in case you use a company car. [-3] This detailed knowledge helps you to maximise benefits.
Leveraging optimization potential: When is it particularly worthwhile to consider a takeover?
Your next step to more affordable contributions
More useful links
Finanztip provides comprehensive information on transferring the no-claims discount.
On the website of Die Versicherer (GDV), you will find a current news article on the topic of no-claims discount.
The GDV explains in detail how the insurance premium for a car is composed and what factors influence it.
The Verbraucherservice Bayern offers ten important and practical tips on car insurance.
Destatis (Federal Statistical Office) provides an official press release with relevant statistical data.
The official portal Gesetze im Internet of the Federal Ministry of Justice provides the full text of the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG).
FAQ
What documents do I need to take over the percentage of a car insurance policy?
You usually need a completed application form (often TB28), a waiver from the donor, copies of both parties' driving licences, and proof of the relationship or household community. In the case of deceased individuals, the death certificate is also required.
Is it worthwhile for beginner drivers to take over percentages?
For absolute beginner drivers, the transfer is often only partially worthwhile, as they are credited with few or no years. It usually makes more sense when the novice driver can already demonstrate some years of driving experience and thus possession of a driving licence.
Can I transfer my acquired no-claims class to another insurance?
Yes, the transferred no-claims class can usually be carried over to the new provider when changing insurers. However, the new insurer will only recognize the actual, regular no-claims years, not any special classifications.
Is the transfer of insurance percentages free of charge?
The transfer of the no-claims bonus category itself is free of charge with most insurers. However, indirect costs can arise due to contract changes or the new premium calculation.
What is the difference between SF class and no-claims discount?
The SF class indicates the number of years without claims. The no-claims discount is the percentage reduction on the insurance premium that results from the SF class. The SF class is transferable, but the specific discount percentage can vary depending on the insurer.
Is it possible to transfer only a part of the percentage?
No, it is not possible to partially transfer or divide the no-claims discount class. The entire no-claims discount class of the transferring contract can only be transferred to a new contract as a whole.
