What does partial comprehensive cover mean: Your comprehensive guide to optimal protection and cost savings
03.06.25
9
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Partial comprehensive insurance protects your vehicle against many unforeseen types of damage. But what exactly does it cover, and who is it the right choice for? This article explains everything you need to know about partial comprehensive cover.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Partial comprehensive insurance covers damage to your own vehicle caused by external influences such as theft, fire, broken glass and natural events, for which one is usually not at fault.
A voluntary excess (often €150) lowers the premium, but should suit your financial situation.
Third-party, fire and theft is often suitable for vehicles that are more than five years old or worth over €4,000; comprehensive cover also includes vandalism and damage caused by yourself.
Understanding partial comprehensive cover: The basics for vehicle owners
Partial comprehensive insurance is optional cover for your vehicle. It complements the mandatory motor vehicle liability insurance. This insurance covers damage to your own car. Costs are covered in the event of incidents for which you are usually not responsible. Many insurers offer partial comprehensive cover from around 14 euros per month, depending on various factors.
Partial comprehensive cover: These types of damage are typically covered
Partial comprehensive insurance covers a range of specific types of damage. These are usually damage caused by fire or explosion. Theft of the vehicle or permanently installed parts is also a core component. Glass damage, for example to the windscreen, is also covered. Damage caused by natural events such as storms, hail, lightning or flooding is likewise covered. In addition, damage caused by collisions with animals of any kind and marten damage, including any consequential damage up to a certain amount or without limit, is often insured. Damage caused by short circuits in the wiring may also be covered. It is important to check the exact terms of your policy, as the scope of cover may vary. We are happy to explain what comprehensive insurance generally means.
Here is an overview of the most common benefits:
Fire and explosion
Theft (removal of the vehicle or parts)
Glass breakage (e.g. stone chips in the windscreen)
Natural hazard damage (storm from force eight winds, hail, lightning, flooding)
Collision with animals (often game animals; some tariffs cover all animal species)
Marten bite damage (often including consequential damage up to a certain sum)
Damage caused by short circuits in the wiring
Please note that vandalism and self-inflicted accident damage are typically not covered by partial comprehensive insurance, but by comprehensive cover. You can also find the exact details of the differences in our article Difference between partial comprehensive and comprehensive cover.
Excess as a cost factor: How it affects your premium
With comprehensive cover, you can often agree on an excess. This is the amount you pay yourself in the event of a claim. Common amounts are €150 or €300. A higher excess usually leads to a lower insurance premium. Statistically, an excess of €150 is often the most worthwhile. Consider which amount you could easily afford in an emergency. Whether comprehensive cover without an excess makes sense depends on your willingness to take risks.
Practical examples: when partial comprehensive insurance steps in and saves you money
Imagine a marten biting through cables in your engine compartment. The repair costs €250. If you have partial cover with a €150 excess, you only pay those €150. The insurer covers the rest. Another example: a heavy hailstorm causes dents on your car roof, and the repair is estimated at €2,000. Your partial cover pays these costs minus your excess. Without partial cover, you would have to bear the full €2,000 yourself. In the event of glass damage to your car, for example caused by a stone chip, which costs €500, partial cover also applies. Many policies even reimburse the full cost of broken glass without deducting the excess if the windscreen is repaired rather than replaced.
Typical scenarios for partial cover benefits:
A wild boar runs into your car; the damage amounts to €1,800.
Your parked car is stolen; the replacement value is €8,000.
A short circuit causes heat damage to the electronics costing €400.
Heavy rain causes your garage to flood; your car suffers water damage of €3,500.
These examples show how quickly significant costs can arise, which partial cover protects you against. The question of when partial cover for a car makes sense becomes clearer as a result.
Expert tip: Legal aspects and important clauses
The partial comprehensive insurance is based on the Insurance Contract Act (VVG). The exact cover and exclusions are set out in the General Terms and Conditions of Insurance (AKB) of your policy. In the event of a claim, you must report the damage without delay and often provide evidence. Our expert tip: Look out for clauses such as a waiver of the defence of gross negligence, at least up to a certain amount of loss. This can be very important in the event of damage caused by carelessness that was not intentionally caused. Current court rulings can influence the interpretation of contractual clauses. For example, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has ruled that vandalism damage following a failed theft is not necessarily covered by partial comprehensive insurance. Having damage caused by martens covered by your motor insurance is usually unproblematic, but consequential damage should be expressly insured as well.
Distinction from fully comprehensive cover: when each type of cover is the right choice
The main difference from fully comprehensive insurance lies in the scope of cover. Fully comprehensive insurance includes all the benefits of partial comprehensive insurance. In addition, it covers damage caused by accidents you have caused yourself and vandalism. Fully comprehensive insurance is often recommended for new cars and young used cars up to an age of around five years. For older vehicles whose value has already fallen, partial comprehensive insurance may be sufficient. A rule of thumb is that partial comprehensive insurance is often worthwhile for vehicles that still have a value of over 4,000 euros. The decision as to from when fully comprehensive insurance is no longer worthwhile is individual. Weigh up the costs and benefits carefully. Even in the event of hail damage, the question arises: fully comprehensive insurance or partial comprehensive insurance – here, partial comprehensive insurance already provides cover.
To get the best partial comprehensive cover, compare quotes. Do not focus on price alone. The scope of cover is crucial. Check whether all risks relevant to you are covered. For example, are consequential damages after a marten bite included without limit? How high is the compensation in the event of a total loss – new value or replacement value? A careful review of the policy details can make several thousand euros difference in the event of a claim. Our expert tip: Review your insurance cover every year, as both the value of your vehicle and your needs can change. nextsure will be happy to help you choose the optimum cover.
Key points when comparing tariffs:
Amount of the excess and its impact on the premium
Cover for animal damage (all animal species or only game)
Inclusion of consequential damage following a marten bite (level of cover)
Rules in the event of glass breakage (repair before replacement, waiver of the excess)
New price or purchase price compensation in the event of a total loss (period of validity)
Exclusion of gross negligence
Area of validity (e.g. throughout Europe)
Your next step towards tailored protection
Choosing the right partial comprehensive insurance depends on many factors. Your vehicle's age, its value and your personal need for security all play a role. A thorough analysis of your situation is the first step. With the information gained here, you will better understand what partial comprehensive insurance means. You can make a more informed decision about which cover is best for you. An individual consultation can help you avoid pitfalls and save money.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific recommendations for optimisation.
More useful links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of comprehensive insurance, including a detailed section on partial comprehensive insurance.
The Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) provides information in a press release about the expected losses of motor insurers in 2024.
Under Die Versicherer, an initiative of the GDV, you will find detailed information on comprehensive insurance.
The Verbraucherzentrale offers tips on how you can save several hundred euros on your motor insurance.
Also at the Verbraucherzentrale, you can learn why motor insurance is compulsory for all vehicle owners.
The ADAC offers comprehensive information on partial comprehensive insurance and its benefits.
The Statistische Bundesamt (Destatis) provides current tables on the vehicle stock in Germany.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) offers detailed statistics on the vehicle stock in Germany.
On Gesetze im Internet you will find the full text of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG 2008).
FAQ
What exactly does partial comprehensive insurance mean?
Partial comprehensive insurance is an optional motor insurance policy that covers damage to your own vehicle caused by certain external influences such as theft, fire, glass breakage, storms, hail or collisions with animals. It is an add-on to the motor third-party liability insurance required by law.
What damage is typically covered by partial comprehensive insurance?
Typical insured losses are: theft, fire/explosion, glass breakage (e.g. stone chip damage), natural hazards (storm, hail, lightning, flooding), collisions with animals and often also marten bites including consequential damage.
What is an excess in partial cover?
The excess is the amount you pay yourself in the event of a claim. €150 is common. If you choose an excess, your insurance premium is generally lower.
When should I switch from fully comprehensive cover to third-party, fire and theft cover?
Switching from fully comprehensive to partial comprehensive cover is often sensible when the vehicle is older than five years and its value has fallen. Fully comprehensive cover is usually worthwhile for new cars and young, high-value used cars.
Does a claim under partial comprehensive insurance affect my no-claims bonus class?
No, a claim settled under your partial comprehensive insurance does not lead to a downgrade of your no-claims bonus. The no-claims bonus is only relevant for motor third-party liability and comprehensive insurance.
Does partial comprehensive cover also cover damage abroad?
As a rule, partial comprehensive cover applies in geographical Europe as well as in non-European territories belonging to the European Union. You can find the exact details of the scope of cover in your insurance terms and conditions.
