Comprehensive Insurance Damage to Your Own Car: Comprehensive Protection and What You Need to Know
26 May 2025
3
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A moment of carelessness and it happens: damage to your own car. This is where comprehensive insurance comes in, but do you know the details? Find out how to act correctly in the event of comprehensive damage to your own car and what your insurance covers.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The fully comprehensive insurance covers self-inflicted damage to your own car as well as vandalism and includes the benefits of partial coverage.
A damage report generally needs to be submitted within seven days; gross negligence can lead to benefit reductions.
For new cars and young used cars up to five years old, fully comprehensive insurance is usually sensible; the costs depend on factors such as the deductible and the no-claims discount class.
Quick Facts: The most important information on comprehensive insurance for self-inflicted damages
Comprehensive insurance is a voluntary additional coverage to the legally required motor vehicle liability insurance. It covers damage to your own vehicle caused by self-inflicted accidents. Vandalism and damage by unknown third parties (hit-and-run) are often covered as well. Comprehensive insurance always includes the benefits of partial coverage, such as damage from theft, fire, or storms. Prompt reporting of damages, usually within seven days, is crucial for processing claims. Depending on the contract, coverage may involve a deductible. Comprehensive insurance is generally recommended for new cars and vehicles up to about five years old.
Practical Part: Claim Settlement and Typical Case Examples
Imagine you're reversing out of a parking space and accidentally hit a bollard – a classic case for comprehensive insurance. The insurance covers the repair costs to your vehicle, minus any agreed excess, such as 300 euros. Another example is damage from vandalism: unknown individuals scratch your car's paintwork. Here too, comprehensive insurance applies. It's important to report the damage to your insurer promptly, often online or by phone. Carefully document the damage with photos and gather all relevant information about the incident. The insurance company will then evaluate the case and usually provide a workshop recommendation or leave the choice to you, depending on the terms of the contract. With leased vehicles, comprehensive insurance is often mandatory, and the leasing company must be informed immediately. The comprehensive car insurance offers important protection here. The process of settling a comprehensive insurance claim on your own vehicle typically follows a clear procedure:
Immediate damage reporting (often within 7 days).
Detailed documentation of the damage (photos, accident report).
Resolution of cost coverage with the insurance (possibly an assessor).
Repair of the vehicle or a cash settlement.
Consideration of the excess and possible downgrade in the no-claims class.
The exact steps can vary depending on the insurer and policy, so it's always advisable to check your policy. Knowing about what a comprehensive insurance claim is helps in an emergency.
Expert Depth: Legal Aspects and Special Cases
In the event of a comprehensive damage to your own car, the Insurance Contract Act (VVG) provides the legal framework. Special attention should be paid to the aspect of gross negligence. If you are proven to have acted with gross negligence, such as running a red light resulting in an accident, the insurance company may reduce or even deny benefits. However, many policies include a waiver of the objection of gross negligence, often excluding journeys under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Checking your own insurance terms for self-damage coverage is essential here. Recent judgments show that courts decide on a case-by-case basis what constitutes gross negligence. For example, operating a navigation device while driving was classified as grossly negligent (LG Potsdam, Az. 6 O 32/09). Our expert tip: Choose a policy that explicitly waives the objection of gross negligence to be better protected in the event of a claim. This often offers extended protection for less than ten percent additional premium. Another important distinction is between liability, partial coverage, and comprehensive coverage.
Important legal points are:
Obligations of the policyholder (e.g., timely reporting, truthful information).
Reduction of benefits in case of gross negligence (§ 81 VVG).
Definition of the accident term (sudden, external event).
Regulations on deductibles and no-claim bonus class.
Possibility of expert proceedings in disputes over the amount of damage.
Knowing these aspects helps you better understand your rights and obligations in the event of a claim. For a more detailed view of what comprehensive insurance means, read our detailed article.
Weighing costs and benefits: When is fully comprehensive insurance still worthwhile?
The decision for or against comprehensive insurance depends on several factors. Generally, it is recommended for new and nearly new used cars up to about five years old. The depreciation of the vehicle plays a significant role. The older the car and the lower its value, the more a switch to third-party, fire, and theft insurance can make sense. However, keep in mind that even an older vehicle can represent a significant financial loss in the event of a self-inflicted total loss. The question of how long one should insure a car comprehensively must therefore be answered individually. The cost of comprehensive insurance is influenced by the type class, regional class, no-claims discount, and the amount of the deductible. A deductible of, for instance, 300 or 500 euros can significantly reduce the premium. Weigh the annual costs against the risk of an expensive claim on your own car. For novice drivers with statistically higher accident risk, comprehensive insurance may also be worth considering for older vehicles to minimize financial risk. The advantage of comprehensive insurance lies in the extensive coverage. Also consider when switching from comprehensive to third-party, fire, and theft cover might be appropriate for you.
Recommended actions: How to act correctly in the event of a loss
After causing damage to your own car, it's important to act quickly and correctly. First, secure the accident site and provide first aid if anyone is injured. In the case of major damage, injuries, or unclear situations, notify the police. Document the damage immediately and in detail. Take photos from different perspectives and note down how the accident occurred. Report the comprehensive damage to your own car to your insurer without delay. Most insurers require this within seven days. Discuss with your insurance provider the next steps, particularly regarding the choice of repair shop and any potential damage assessment. Keep all receipts and correspondence carefully. For smaller damages, it might sometimes be cheaper to pay for the repairs yourself to avoid being downgraded in your no-claims class. However, this should be carefully calculated. nextsure is happy to assist you in assessing your individual situation. Request your personalized risk analysis now: Get your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive specific optimization suggestions.
More useful links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of comprehensive car insurance, an important form of motor insurance.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) supplies official data and statistics on traffic accidents in Germany.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) provides information on traffic offences and relevant statistics in German road traffic.
The German Insurance Association (GDV) offers insights into the impact of natural hazards on motor insurance claims and other industry statistics.
The Consumer Centre explains the obligation of motor insurance and other important aspects for consumers.
The ADAC offers comprehensive information and assistance on the topic of motor insurance claims.
The Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) presents research findings and data from the German In-Depth Accident Study (GIDAS) contributing to accident research.
The German Road Safety Council (DVR) provides current accident statistics and information on road safety in Germany.
FAQ
What is the difference between third-party, fire and theft insurance and comprehensive insurance when your own car is damaged?
The partial insurance covers damages that you did not cause yourself (e.g., theft, fire, storm, glass breakage). Comprehensive insurance includes all partial insurance services and additionally covers damages from self-inflicted accidents and vandalism to your own car.
Do I have to pay an excess in case of a comprehensive insurance claim?
That depends on your insurance contract. Many comprehensive insurance policies include an excess (e.g. 300 or 500 euros), which you are responsible for in the event of a claim. A higher excess often results in lower premiums.
Will I be downgraded in the no-claims class after a comprehensive insurance claim?
Yes, after a comprehensive insurance claim (self-inflicted or vandalism), there is usually a downgrade in the no-claims class, which can lead to higher premiums. In partial coverage, there are no no-claims classes and therefore no downgrade.
What happens if the other party in the accident commits a hit-and-run?
If the person responsible for the accident commits a hit-and-run and cannot be identified, your comprehensive insurance will cover the damage to your own vehicle.
Can I also receive the payout for the comprehensive damage (fictional billing)?
Yes, with many insurers, a fictional billing is possible. This means you can have the estimated repair costs paid out to you (often based on an expert report or cost estimate) without having the vehicle repaired. The VAT is usually not refunded in this case.
What counts as vandalism in comprehensive insurance?
Vandalism refers to willful or malicious damage to your vehicle by third parties, such as scratched paint, broken mirrors, or punctured tires.
