Children on liability insurance: how long they are actually covered and what you need to bear in mind
13.05.25
5
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Many parents ask themselves: how long are children covered under their parents’ liability insurance? The answer is more complex than is often assumed and depends on education, age and personal circumstances. This article explains the issue and gives you peace of mind.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Children are usually co-insured under their parents’ liability insurance until the end of their first vocational training (apprenticeship/studies), even if they no longer live at home.
Marriage or entering working life usually ends co-insurance, regardless of age.
Children lacking tort liability (under seven years old, and under ten in road traffic) are often co-insured through special clauses; the parents' duty of supervision plays a role.
The most important facts about co-insuring children at a glance
The question of how long children remain covered by liability insurance concerns many families. As a general rule, minor children are usually covered by their parents' family liability insurance. Adult children can often still fall under their parents' cover, particularly during their first training or university studies. What is often decisive here is the child's training status and marital status. A private liability insurance policy is therefore a must for every family.
Age limits and legal incapacity: What parents need to know
A key aspect is the lack of tort capacity of children. Children under the age of seven are considered incapable of tort and cannot be held liable for damages. In road traffic, this age limit is even ten years. However, this does not automatically mean that the parents’ insurance will not pay. Many modern policies include damage caused by children incapable of tort up to a certain sum, often up to fifty thousand euros or more. Please therefore be sure to check the conditions of your policy. If parents have breached their duty of supervision, they can also be held liable for damage caused by younger children. The family cover should take this point into account.
School years, training and university studies: understanding the duration of co-insurance
As long as children are still in full-time education, they are usually covered by their parents’ liability insurance. This cover also extends to their first vocational training, whether an apprenticeship or first degree. A Master’s programme directly following a Bachelor’s degree is generally still classed as initial education. Even if the child moves into their own flat for study or training, the insurance cover often remains in place. It is important that the training or studies begin immediately after school and are not interrupted for any length of time. A waiting period, for example for a place at university, is often covered for up to one year.
The following points are relevant here:
Immediate transition from school to training/studies.
Initial education (apprenticeship or first degree, including a Master’s after a Bachelor’s).
No long-term interruption to the training or studies.
Often still covered when moving into your own flat during training.
Waiting periods for a training or university place are usually covered for up to one year.
It is advisable to clarify the exact conditions with the insurer to ensure that your child is protected during this important stage of life and that you understand, what you need liability insurance for.
When does co-insurance end? Recognising critical transition points
The protection provided by parents' liability insurance does not end automatically on the child's eighteenth birthday. However, there are clear limits. Once the child starts a permanent job and is financially independent, their own liability insurance is usually necessary. This also applies if the child gets married or enters into a registered civil partnership. A common misconception is that moving out of the parental home automatically results in the loss of cover – this is usually not the case during initial training. After completion of initial training, some insurers still grant a transitional period of up to one year, as long as the child is seeking work. Find out about the cost of liability insurance for young adults.
Special cases and specific life situations: What you should bear in mind
There are a few special situations that can affect insurance cover. A second degree or second training programme after an initial qualification and period of employment that have already been completed usually requires a separate policy. The position is different if a degree follows directly after an apprenticeship; here, the cover provided by family liability insurance can often continue. A voluntary social year (FSJ), Federal Voluntary Service or a semester abroad during the first degree are frequently covered as well. Our expert tip: For stays abroad, always clarify the scope of your insurance in advance. In the case of separated parents, family liability insurance should be continued by the parent with whom the children live; the other parent will then need a separate policy. It is important to know, whether children are automatically covered by liability insurance or whether special rules apply.
Key special cases at a glance:
Second degree/second training programme: Often requires a separate policy.
Degree after apprenticeship: Can often still be included in the cover.
FSJ/Federal Voluntary Service: Usually included.
Semester abroad: Often covered, check the details.
Separated parents: Insure the child with the parent with whom it lives.
These points show how important it is to carefully review the individual situation and the insurance terms in order to understand when separate liability insurance for the child becomes unavoidable.
Expert depth: Legal foundations and current rulings
The co-insurance of children under liability insurance is not explicitly regulated in a single section of the German Civil Code (BGB), but rather follows from the General Conditions of Insurance (AVB) of the respective contracts. The rules on lack of tort liability can be found in § 828 BGB. This section states that children are not liable for damage before completing their seventh year of life. In motorised road traffic, this applies until the age of ten is completed, provided the damage was not caused intentionally. For children between the ages of seven and eighteen, liability depends on their individual capacity for understanding. In numerous judgments, the courts have specified the interpretation of the duty of supervision (§ 832 BGB) and the conditions of co-insurance. Our expert tip: Keep relevant court judgments or specialist articles that could support your position in the event of a claim, and consult a specialist solicitor for insurance law if anything is unclear. The question of whether liability claims within the family are covered is also an important aspect regulated in the AVB.
To ensure that your child is always adequately insured, you should pay attention to a few points. Regularly review your existing liability policy, especially the clauses covering children under the policy. Pay attention to age limits and the definition of initial education. Inform your insurer immediately of any changes in your child’s life situation, such as starting education or training, moving out or getting married. Our expert tip: Always have important assurances from the insurer confirmed in writing. Compare offers from different insurers, as the terms and benefits can vary greatly. A personal liability insurance for children is an important component of family provision. If in doubt, professional advice, as offered by nextsure, can be very helpful in finding the right solution for your family.
Checklist for parents:
Review existing policy (age limits, definition of initial education).
Inform the insurer of any changes (education, moving out, marriage).
Have important assurances confirmed in writing.
Compare offers.
Seek professional advice if needed.
With these steps, you can avoid gaps in cover and ensure that the question "How long are children covered under liability insurance?" is clearly answered for your family.
Conclusion: Early planning and clear communication are crucial
The inclusion of children under their parents’ personal liability insurance often provides long-term cover that extends beyond adulthood, especially during their initial education or training. However, the individual policy terms and the child’s specific life situation are decisive. Marriage or entering working life usually ends this inclusion. Taking a proactive approach to the subject and maintaining open communication with the insurer help avoid gaps in cover. Bear in mind that a separate personal liability policy for young adults is often available for a relatively small annual premium and offers important protection. If you are unsure whether your child is still covered or needs their own policy, we will be happy to advise you. The question of whether a liability insurance policy for mother and child covers specific aspects may also be relevant.
More useful links
The press release from Destatis (Federal Statistical Office) contains statistical information that may be relevant for families or children.
This PDF document from Destatis provides detailed data on road traffic accidents involving children.
DGUV (German Social Accident Insurance) provides information on insurance cover for children in day-care centres (Kita).
An article from Test.de (Stiftung Warentest) explains what benefits statutory accident insurance provides in the event of accidents involving children.
The Wikipedia article provides a comprehensive explanation of capacity for tort liability in Germany, an important legal aspect in the context of liability.
FAQ
How long are children covered under liability insurance if they do a voluntary social year?
Children who complete a Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), a Federal Voluntary Service or a similar year of service are generally still covered under their parents' family liability insurance, provided this takes place before or between training periods. It is advisable to ask the insurer about this.
My child is starting a dual study programme. Are they still covered under my insurance?
A dual study programme is often treated as initial training, which means the child may still be covered under the insurance. However, as there is already a training contract with remuneration, you should clarify the exact conditions with your insurer to make sure.
What applies to my child's semester abroad?
In the case of temporary stays abroad as part of initial studies, such as a semester abroad, the cover provided by family personal liability insurance generally remains in force worldwide. It is advisable to check the exact terms and any time limits in the policy.
Does my child need their own liability insurance when they get married?
Yes, with marriage, co-insurance under the parents’ personal liability insurance ends, regardless of the child’s age or training status. The newly married couple then needs its own personal liability cover.
Up to what age are children covered under the insurance at most, even if they are still studying?
Most insurers base co-insurance primarily on the completion of initial vocational training rather than on a fixed maximum age. As long as the child is in continuous initial education and is unmarried, cover can remain in place. However, a few tariffs may set age limits (e.g. 25 or 27 years), so it is important to check the policy.
What if my child takes a break after completing their bachelor's degree before starting their master's?
Shorter waiting periods between a bachelor's degree and a directly subsequent master's degree are often unproblematic and insurance cover remains in place. However, with longer interruptions or if you take up employment during this period, the cover may lapse. Be sure to clarify this with your insurer.
