Partial cover with no excess: when is it really worthwhile for your car?
12.06.25
6
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Partial cover without an excess promises full cost coverage in the event of a claim, but is it always the smartest choice? This article explores when foregoing the excess makes financial sense and when an excess of, for example, €150 is the better option.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Partial comprehensive insurance without an excess means full cost coverage in the event of a claim, but results in higher premiums; an excess of 150 euros often reduces the premium by 10-30 per cent.
The decision depends on the individual appetite for risk, the vehicle’s value and the premium difference; for many, an excess of 150 euros is a good compromise.
Typical partial cover claims such as broken glass, theft or damage caused by animals are covered; with glass repairs, the excess is often waived even on policies that include one.
Understanding the basics: What does partial comprehensive cover without an excess include?
A partial comprehensive insurance policy covers damage to your own vehicle caused by external influences. These typically include theft, fire, broken glass or collisions with wild animals. If you choose a policy without an excess, the insurer covers the full costs in the event of a claim up to the agreed insured sum. This means you pay no excess at all. However, this option results in a higher annual insurance premium compared with policies that include an excess. The meaning of partial comprehensive insurance is an important component of cover for many vehicle owners. The balance between the premium and the potential costs in the event of a claim is therefore crucial.
Cost-benefit analysis: Is waiving the excess worth it?
Waiving the excess on partial cover can increase the premium by up to twenty-five per cent. A common excess of one hundred and fifty euros, on the other hand, can noticeably reduce your annual costs. Whether partial cover without an excess makes sense depends on your individual risk appetite and claims frequency. Statistically speaking, own-damage claims occur only in about one in ten policies per year. Consider whether the higher premium outweighs the potential saving in the rare event of a claim. A comparison of partial and comprehensive cover can provide additional perspective here.
Here is an example comparison of the annual costs:
Partial cover with a 150 euro excess: 360 euro annual premium.
Partial cover without an excess: 415 euro annual premium.
Annual saving with an excess: 55 euro.
This fifty euro saving must be weighed against the risk of having to pay one hundred and fifty euros yourself in the event of a claim. For drivers with a low expected claims rate, an excess can often pay for itself after fewer than three claim-free years.
Typical damage cases in focus: When does partial comprehensive cover pay out without deductions?
With partial comprehensive cover without an excess, the costs for insured damage are fully covered. One of the most common types of partial comprehensive damage is broken glass, for example caused by a stone chip. Many insurers waive the excess even for a windscreen repair (instead of a replacement), even with tariffs that include an excess. Partial comprehensive cover also pays out in the event of theft of the vehicle or permanently installed parts. Damage caused by martens to the car is also a classic case for partial comprehensive cover. Without an excess, there is no contribution from you at all here. In the event of a collision with wildlife, which can quickly result in costs of several thousand euros, full reimbursement is particularly valuable. Bear in mind that partial comprehensive cover does not cover damage caused by an accident for which you are at fault or vandalism. Fully comprehensive insurance would be required for this.
Expert opinions and recommendations: Making the right choice
Insurance experts and consumer advocates often give nuanced recommendations on the excess. Stiftung Warentest states that policyholders with a one hundred and fifty euro excess in partial comprehensive cover save the most, with premium savings of ten to thirty per cent. Partial comprehensive cover with no excess at all is recommended less often, as the premium saving with a low excess is often more attractive. Our expert tip: check the premium difference carefully. If the surcharge for waiving the excess is only twenty euros per year, for example, this can be a worthwhile option for worry-free driving. For most drivers, however, a one hundred and fifty euro excess is a good compromise. Also find out, when switching makes sense.
Important factors for your decision are:
Your personal need for security: How important is full cost coverage to you?
Your financial flexibility: Can you comfortably cover an excess of, for example, 150 euros in the event of a claim?
The annual premium difference: How much more does the policy without an excess cost?
Vehicle value and age: For very old vehicles with a low value, even forgoing comprehensive cover may be an option.
Vehicle value and age: factors influencing the decision
The current value and age of your vehicle play an important role in determining whether partially comprehensive cover without an excess makes sense. For new cars or nearly new used vehicles with a high value, the thought of full cost coverage in the event of a claim can be reassuring. The additional cost of waiving the excess is relatively less significant here. For older vehicles whose value has already fallen significantly, an excess of one hundred and fifty or even three hundred euros can make the premium more attractive. The savings on the premium can quickly outweigh the potential excess in the event of a claim. Consider whether the repair costs are proportionate to the value of the vehicle. It is also relevant when fully comprehensive cover is no longer worthwhile and partially comprehensive cover comes into focus. Partially comprehensive cover is often recommended for vehicles older than five years.
Please note the legal framework and contractual details
Comprehensive car insurance is a voluntary insurance in Germany, unlike motor third-party liability insurance. There is no legal requirement specifying a particular amount of excess or requiring it to be excluded. The contractual terms, often referred to as the General Motor Insurance Conditions (AKB), regulate the exact benefits and exclusions. Pay particular attention to clauses regarding glass repair, where often no costs are incurred even with an agreed excess if a repair is possible and the windscreen does not need to be replaced. Glass damage should be reported to the insurer. Read the insurance conditions carefully to understand the exact scope of cover provided by your chosen comprehensive car insurance without excess. There is no no-claims discount downgrade for comprehensive claims.
Partial cover without an excess is particularly useful if you want maximum financial predictability and are prepared to pay a higher premium for it. This can be attractive for drivers who want to rule out any financial risk in the event of a claim, even if it is only one hundred and fifty euros. It may also be worth considering waiving the excess for vehicles that are statistically more frequently affected by partial cover claims (e.g. due to marten bites in certain regions). If the difference in the annual premium between a tariff with and without an excess is very small, for example under thirty euros, the convenience of full cost coverage may outweigh it. Also consider comprehensive insurance if your car is new. Ultimately, it is a very personal decision that depends on your risk appetite and financial situation.
Situations in which a zero-euro excess can be advantageous:
A very strong need for security and a wish for no additional costs in the event of a claim.
The annual premium difference compared with a tariff with a 150-euro excess is minimal (e.g. under 30 euros).
The vehicle is frequently exposed to typical partial cover risks (e.g. parking in areas with many martens).
You want to avoid having to worry about any potential repair costs at all.
Conclusion: An individual decision for optimal protection
The question of whether partial cover without an excess is worthwhile cannot be answered in general terms. For most drivers, an excess of one hundred and fifty euros is a good compromise between premium savings and a manageable out-of-pocket contribution in the event of a claim. Savings of ten to thirty per cent on the premium are possible here. Weigh up the additional costs of a policy without an excess against the frequency and average cost of partial cover claims. Only if you want complete cost control in the event of a claim and the higher premium is acceptable to you can forgoing an excess altogether be the right choice. A comprehensive insurance policy offers important protection. Take your time to compare thoroughly. Request an individual risk analysis now: have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive specific recommendations for improvement.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of partial comprehensive insurance in Germany.
GDV provides detailed statistics on partial comprehensive insurance for passenger cars.
GDV offers further statistics on comprehensive and partial comprehensive insurance for passenger cars.
Destatis publishes press releases that may contain relevant statistics, for example on vehicle stock.
KBA provides official statistics on vehicle stock in Germany.
ADAC provides comprehensive information on partial comprehensive insurance and its benefits.
FAQ
Is partial cover without an excess generally recommended?
Not in general. An excess of 150 euros is usually recommended, as it significantly reduces the premium and keeps your own contribution in the event of a claim manageable. Fully comprehensive cover without an excess only makes sense if you want maximum cost control and are willing to accept the higher premium.
What excess is usual for partial comprehensive cover?
An excess of €150 is most commonly chosen for partial comprehensive cover. However, insurers also offer policies without an excess or with higher amounts such as €300 or €500.
Does a claim under partial comprehensive insurance affect my no-claims bonus class?
No, there are no no-claims bonus classes in partial comprehensive insurance. A partial comprehensive claim therefore does not lead to a downgrade or a higher premium in the following year due to the claims history.
Does partial comprehensive insurance also cover vandalism damage?
No, damage caused by vandalism is generally not covered by partial comprehensive insurance. For this, you need fully comprehensive insurance.
What happens in the event of glass damage if I have agreed an excess?
Many insurers waive the excess if a glass claim (e.g. a stone chip in the windscreen) can be repaired and the windscreen does not have to be replaced. This often also applies if you have a policy with an excess.
Can I change the excess later?
Yes, the excess amount can usually be adjusted for the next insurance year. Please contact your insurer about this.
