Beitragssatz Kfz-Versicherung: Understanding and Optimising Costs
3 May 2025
11
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
The contribution rate is a crucial factor for the cost of your car insurance. Learn how it is composed and which levers you can use to reduce your premiums. With the right knowledge, you can save hundreds of euros annually.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The contribution rate in motor insurance is a percentage that depends on the no-claims bonus class and significantly influences the premium amount.
In addition to the no-claims class, the regional and type classes also affect the cost of your car insurance.
By driving safely without accidents, choosing the right plan, and making further adjustments, you can actively reduce your contribution rate and thus your insurance costs.
Quick Facts: Decoding the insurance premium rate for car insurance
The contribution rate is a percentage applied to the basic premium of your car insurance. It directly depends on your no-claims class (SF class). The longer you drive without an accident, the lower your contribution rate becomes, often up to a discount of eighty percent. Insurers set the exact percentages for each SF class individually. This contribution rate applies to both liability and comprehensive car insurance, but not to partial comprehensive cover. Understanding these basics is the first step towards optimising your insurance costs.
Practical Part: How Your No-Claims Bonus Affects the Premium Rate
Your no-claims bonus class (SF-Klasse) is the key factor for your contribution rate. Each claim-free insurance year moves you up to a higher SF-Klasse, which lowers your contribution rate. Beginners often start in SF-Klasse 0 with a high contribution rate, which can be over one hundred percent. For example, if you drive claim-free for five years (SF-Klasse 5), you can expect a contribution rate of about fifty to sixty percent, depending on the insurer. A specific example: At Allianz, drivers in SF-Klasse 1 pay a contribution rate of fifty-eight percent for liability insurance, while it is only twenty percent in SF-Klasse 35. The differences can amount to several hundred euros per year. An overview of SF-Klassen helps you understand your classification. This system directly rewards foresighted driving financially.
Here is an exemplary illustration of how the SF-Klasse can affect the contribution rate (the exact values vary depending on the insurer):
SF-Klasse 1/2 (held a driving licence for over three years, first-time insurance): approx. seventy to eighty percent contribution rate
SF-Klasse 1 (one claim-free year): approx. sixty to seventy percent contribution rate
SF-Klasse 5 (five claim-free years): approx. forty to fifty percent contribution rate
SF-Klasse 10 (ten claim-free years): approx. thirty to forty percent contribution rate
SF-Klasse 35 (thirty-five claim-free years): approx. twenty percent contribution rate
However, a claim results in a downgrade to a lower SF-Klasse, thus leading to a higher contribution rate the following year. It is often worth considering paying for smaller damages yourself to avoid a downgrade. You can find the exact rules for downgrading in your insurance conditions. Understanding these connections is crucial to fully answering the question "What does contribution rate mean in car insurance?" and identifying potential savings.
Key factors: Regional class and type class in detail
In addition to the SF class, two other important factors indirectly affect your contribution rate by determining the basic contribution of your insurance: the regional class and the type class. The regional class reflects the claims record of your registration district. If you live in an area with statistically few accidents and claims, you benefit from a lower regional class and potentially lower costs. There are twelve regional classes for third-party liability insurance, sixteen for partial coverage, and nine for comprehensive coverage. Larger cities often have higher regional classes than rural areas; Berlin, for example, often shows one of the highest classifications. A type class table can provide insights here.
The type class, in turn, assesses your specific car model based on its claims and accident record. Vehicles that statistically are less often involved in accidents or incur lower repair costs receive a lower type class. The Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) evaluates around 32,000 different vehicle models annually. Even when choosing a vehicle, you can set the course for a lower insurance contribution. The type class classification is carried out separately for liability (classes 10-25), partial coverage (classes 10-33), and comprehensive coverage (classes 10-34). These factors explain why the cost of car insurance is so individual.
Expert Depth: Legal Foundations and Recent Judgments
The calculation of the premium rate and the classification into no-claims classes are regulated in the General Terms and Conditions for Motor Insurance (AKB) of the respective insurer. There is no statutory regulation for the percentage rates; insurers design these discount scales independently. The German Insurance Association (GDV) provides statistical data for regional and type classes, but these are non-binding for insurers. Recent judgments often concern the downgrading in the event of a claim or the transfer of no-claims discounts. For example, the transfer of an SF class to another person (e.g., a child) can only be carried out to the extent that the recipient could have gained driving experience themselves. Our expert tip: Examine your annual premium statement carefully, especially for changes in type and regional classes, as these can lead to premium adjustments even without your own fault. In the event of a premium increase due to a changed regional or type class, you often have a special right of termination. This is particularly relevant when considering whether a third-party, fire and theft policy or comprehensive coverage is better for you.
Design Tips: How to Actively Reduce Your Contribution Rate
To optimise your contribution rate and therefore your overall car insurance premium, there are several strategies. Always drive defensively and accident-free to move up into higher no-claims bonus classes – this is the most effective way. Consider covering minor damages yourself to avoid being downgraded and thus incurring a higher contribution rate. Limiting the number of drivers, for instance to just you and your partner, can also reduce the premium. Our expert tip: Use comparison portals to check the offerings of different insurers, as the contributions for identical no-claims classes can vary. This is particularly relevant for young drivers, who often start with high classifications. Also, the possibility of transferring percentage points should be considered.
Further savings opportunities include:
Choosing a higher excess in comprehensive insurance.
Specifying a lower annual mileage, if applicable. (Find out more about fewer kilometres driven.)
Checking for special tariffs for certain professional groups (e.g., public service).
Choosing a vehicle with a favourable type class.
By combining these measures, the question "What does the contribution rate in car insurance mean for my wallet?" can be positively influenced. A comprehensive insurance offers additional protection, the cost of which is also influenced by these factors.
Your path to the optimal car insurance with nextsure
Understanding the contribution rate is key to a cost-efficient car insurance. As you have seen, many factors play a role, from your personal driving history to statistical features of your vehicle and location. At nextsure, we support you in keeping track and finding a customised insurance solution for your car & mobility that perfectly fits your needs. We help you navigate the complexity of the contribution rate and exploit all saving potentials. An individual analysis of your situation can often reveal significant savings while maintaining or even improving protection. Use our expertise for your financial relief.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation examined free of charge and receive concrete optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
Statista provides a general overview of car insurance in Germany.
Statista shows statistics on car insurance companies in Germany since 2000.
GDV provides information on how age affects the car insurance premium.
GDV supplies data on the business development in motor vehicle liability insurance.
Die Versicherer allows querying of vehicle insurance rating classes.
Universität St. Gallen offers a report on the future of car insurance in Germany.
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive article on motor vehicle insurance.
FAQ
What is the difference between the contribution rate and the no-claims class?
The no-claims bonus class (SF class) indicates the number of your accident-free years. Each SF class is associated with a specific contribution rate (in percent), which is then used to calculate your insurance premium. A higher SF class results in a lower contribution rate.
How does the type class of my car affect the premium rate?
The vehicle type classification assesses the risk of damage for your car model. A lower classification (few damages, low repair costs for this model) results in a more affordable base premium, to which your individual premium rate (depending on the no-claims discount class) is then applied.
Does my contribution rate change if I move?
Your contribution rate itself (the percentage of your SF class) does not change directly as a result of moving. However, the regional class of your new residence may differ from the previous one. A less favourable regional class can increase the base contribution, which could lead to a higher total premium despite an unchanged contribution rate.
When do I start paying the lowest contribution rate?
You achieve the lowest premium rate in the highest no-claims classes (e.g., SF 35 or SF 50, depending on the insurer). This requires many years of accident-free driving. The lowest premium rate can be around twenty percent or even lower.
What does a contribution rate of one hundred percent mean?
A contribution rate of one hundred percent generally means that you pay the full basic premium for your insurance without a discount for claim-free years. This is often the case for novice drivers in the SF class 0 or after several claims.
Can other drivers also influence my contribution rate?
Yes, if other drivers use your car and cause damage, it will be assigned to your contract. This will lead to a downgrade of your SF class and consequently result in a higher premium rate for you.
